Stats boffins name the England squad Gareth Southgate could have picked on form
Gareth Southgate's squad for upcoming EURO qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia excludes a host of top performing England players, according to data from Sofascore.
There were precious few surprises in the roster announced on Thursday, save for the continued absence of Raheem Sterling. Many England fans have accepted that Southgate will persist in his selection of Kalvin Phillips, Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson.
While the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka are the consensus first picks on the team sheet.
But amidst the 25 players chosen there are plenty more who can feel hard done by to not even get a look in as next summer's European Championship approaches.
Here Mail Sport reveals the best performing English players so far this season, according to Sofascore. And there are a few names guaranteed to surprise.
Goalkeepers
Jack Butland 7.13, Nick Pope 7.12, Wesley Foderingham 7.08
Only Harry Kane enjoys more devotion from Southgate than Jordan Pickford. Whether his form at club level is good, bad or indifferent, the Everton stopper will start in goal for the Three Lions.
That makes the England's manager's choice of Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone more understable. But going off form, Rangers keeper Jack Butland should be the wearer of the No 1 jersey.
The former Stoke and Manchester United stopper has kept 7 clean sheets in 11 Scottish Premiership games since his move in the summer.
Newcastle's Nick Pope can count himself unfortunate not to be challenging Pickford for a starting spot considering his achievements at club level in recent years. And Sheffield United Foderingham has made the most saves in the Premier League.
Defenders
Kieran Trippier 7.44, James Tarkowski 7.31, Connor Goldson 7.24, Kyle
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