Joe Gomez
As the fixtures against Germany and Brazil are the first international friendlies that England have faced since qualifying for the World Cup finals, Southgate has an opportunity to experiment with the squad.
The first choice Southgate has made is the inclusion of young Liverpool prospect Joe Gomez.
Gomez has been the stand-out performer in the Liverpool defence, making eight appearances in the Premier League this season.
His individual performances have impressed Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, and also the national team manager with his composure and strength on the ball at just 20 years of age.
He has looked better than experienced defenders such as Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip at club level and has the opportunity to take his game to the national stage.
Tammy Abraham
Chelsea’s incredible youth system and loaning network has proven a hit yet again, with the revelation over the last two seasons of young striker Tammy Abraham.
Spending last season on loan at Championship side Bristol City, Abraham made Championship football look easy.
Scoring 23 goals in his debut season as a first-team footballer, Abraham was obviously ready to test himself at Premier League level.
Antonio Conte decided to loan him out to relegation-strugglers Swansea City, where he has again shone, scoring five goals in his first 14 games for Paul Clement’s side.
This excellent run of form spanning multiple seasons has earned him his first caps in the senior England team, having spent time at Under-21 level.
Two attackers in the form of Kane and Sterling have withdrawn from the squad due to injury, so Abraham will be looking for an opportunity to start as England’s main man up front.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Another example of the Chelsea loan network flexing its muscles is in the form of midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
The young midfielder has been touted as a future England star from the tender age of 17.
Fast forward four years and Loftus-Cheek is in line for his first England cap.
In a season where struggling Palace have subverted and relied on the youngsters rather than the experienced veterans, Loftus-Cheek has turned in some outstanding individual performances, earning his call-up into the England squad ahead of similar players such as Jack Wilshere.
Loftus-Cheek has earned an average WhoScored rating of 6.89 this season, making him one of Crystal Palace’s highest performing midfielders this season.
Southgate has certainly seen some potential in this player, and it will be interesting to see how he fares for the Three Lions.
Kieran Trippier
Kieran Trippier is an example of the rewards on offer when you show the correct mentality in football.
Having had to compete with Kyle Walker for the Tottenham Hotspur right-back position last season, Trippier showed the right attitude.
Providing competition for Walker, he made 12 Premier League appearances for Tottenham, with Spurs only losing once in this period.
Fast forward to this season, and Kyle Walker is a Manchester City player. Trippier is now first choice in the Spurs lineup, already making eight League appearances this season.
Hopefully, Trippier gets to make a claim for the England squad in these friendlies.
Jack Butland
For Jack Butland and Stoke City fans, they must be wondering what it can take for the goalkeeper to be recognised as England’s number one.
His opportunities for the Three Lions have been met with critical acclaim, only losing once while Butland has been between the sticks.
With established England number one Joe Hart already conceding 23 goals in 11 Premier League games for West Ham, surely it is now time for Butland to pick up from where he left off.
He was on the verge of cementing his place in 2016, before long-term injury forced him out of contention, leaving Hart as the only viable option for the Three Lions.
Now Butland is back and fully fit, he can once more stake the claim to be England’s undisputed number one.
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