The feeling around the England team at the moment is certainly a positive one following a terrific summer at the World Cup with the run to the semi-finals once again allowing the fans to believe in their team.
Years of under performing was put behind them by a young England squad who appeared to enjoy playing with the three lions on their chest.
The World Cup bid was ultimately ended by Croatia but the future remains bright, especially with Gareth Southgate so keen to bring young players into his squad. The manager himself has signed a new contract with the FA to stay in charge until 2022 and he will have one task to achieve...win the World Cup.
The footballing hotbed of Qatar (LOL) will be the venue for the next tournament and Southgate has just under four years to sculpt a squad capable of going two steps better than the team managed in Russia.
There seems to be a nucleus of players in the current England squad which the manager will be relying on through until 2022, but what will be the exact starting team by the time the tournament kicks off in the Arab country?
The Sportsman team have put their heads together and predicted this starting line up can see England win the World Cup for the first time since 1966...
GK - Jordan Pickford (will be 28 in 2022)
The Everton stopper cemented his place between the sticks in Russia and all begin well looks set to keep hold of the #1 jersey for the foreseeable future. Expect Pickford to be in Qatar, although he will need plenty of sun cream!
RB - Trent Alexander-Arnold (will be 24 in 2022)
Already a world class full-back, it is amazing to think that the Liverpool youth product is still only 20. Only going to get better and could be amongst the best in the world this time in four years.
CB - Joe Gomez (will be 25 in 2022)
The former Charlton product has been nothing short of sensational for Liverpool this term and still have bundles of improvement to come. Has it all and could be a future England captain.
CB - John Stones (will be 28 in 2022)
Stones has made major strides under Pep Guardiola and looks likely to be one of the more experienced members of the squad by the time we get to Qatar. A Stones/Gomez partnership for England looks potentially exciting.
LB - Ben Chilwell (will be 25 in 2022)
Luke Shaw might have something to say about this but at the time of writing it appears as if Ben Chilwell is the left-back of the future. Getting regular football with Leicester over the past year has been massive and he is an exciting talent.
He's got 8 assists and one goal in just 317 mins this season 🔥
What a week he's had earning his first senior England call-up 🙌
MID - Nathaniel Chalobah (will be 27 in 2022)
A player Southgate rates highly, the Watford man is one of very few England players who can dictate a game from midfield. Not seen his best yet, but it's coming.
MID - Mason Mount (will be 23 in 2022)
The Chelsea youngster has been tearing it up for Derby this term which has lead to his first England call up and there is no doubt this lad has it all. Classy on the ball and with great technical ability, Mount is one to watch.
MID - James Maddison (will be 25 in 2022)
Maddison has taken major strides over the past year first with Norwich and then with Leicester and he is a player that this current England squad is crying out for. Someone who can turn and go past his man before threading through a ball. Classy.
FWD - Raheem Sterling (will be 27 in 2022)
A player who feels like he has been around for ages, but should only just be in his proime by the time he steps off the plane in Qatar. Another Guardiola improver who still has the world at his feet.
ST - Harry Kane (will be 29 in 2022)
No reason to think that Kane won't still be banging the goals in as he hits his last 20s and he will be gunning for his 2nd Golden Boot on the bounce.
FWD - Jadon Sancho (will be 22 in 2022)
Sancho made the brave call to leave Man City in favour of Borussia Dortmund and so far it has paid off in spectacular style. The most exciting talent in English football who will surely be a world start this time in four years.
Potential 2022 Substitutes - Jack Butland, Kyle Walker-Peters, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Dele Alli , Harry Maguire, Lewis Cook, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ryan Sessegnon, Harry Winks, Rhian Brewster
