John Stones – 4785 mins
During his career, there was a period when he struggled to find his form for both his club and national team. However, fortunately, Stones experienced this dip in performance during the time between international tournaments. In three major tournaments, he has displayed an impressive level of dominance, earning recognition from Southgate for his elegant and composed style of play, which has been nurtured under the guidance of Pep Guardiola. Despite being 29 years old, we firmly believe that Stones is a player worth building a team around. He has the potential to contribute to another European Championship and even a World Cup, at the very least.
Kyle Walker – 5215 mins
If we take the World Cup as an example, it clearly demonstrates that Walker possesses two key qualities: incredible speed and the unwavering trust of Southgate. The manager has often given him rest during qualification campaigns, knowing full well what Walker is capable of. While it may be easy to discard him when a new manager takes over, we will undoubtedly miss his astonishing pace (and his ability to control the ball with his chest).
Jordan Pickford – 5355 mins
Rarely questioned by outsiders but seldom doubted by Southgate, who has nurtured England’s finest tournament goalkeeper since Peter Shilton, there is no doubt that he could potentially occupy the England goal for the next eight years. Despite occasionally being asked to fulfill his actual duties, he remains steadfast and committed.
Harry Maguire – 5487 mins
Southgate will not abandon Maguire as the Manchester United captain thrives in international football (although his performance against North Macedonia was subpar). However, it would be ideal to witness the emergence of a credible alternative. While Maguire exceeded expectations in Qatar, he also bore some responsibility for nearly all of the goals conceded by England.
Harry Kane – 5914 mins
He is the epitome of excellence. The undisputed leader. England’s sole genuine striker, boasting an incredible record of 57 goals in 72 games under Southgate’s guidance. Just refrain from burdening him with more than one penalty in a single match.