Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander Arnold and Harry Maguire are reportedly among the notable names expected to miss out on England’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and Al-Ahli forward Ivan Toney are likely to earn selection after impressive performances for their clubs this season.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to announce his final 26-man squad on Friday, with several unexpected inclusions and exclusions already generating attention.
Despite being important attacking players for Manchester City and Chelsea respectively, both Foden and Palmer are set to be omitted following inconsistent campaigns at club level, according to multiple reports.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is also expected to be left out. The 33-year-old admitted he was disappointed and surprised by the decision, believing he had done enough to secure a place in the team.
Watkins is tipped to make the squad after helping Aston Villa win the Europa League, while Toney’s outstanding form in Saudi Arabia — where he scored 32 goals in 32 appearances for Al-Ahli — appears to have earned him a call-up.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is another player likely to miss selection despite enjoying one of the strongest scoring seasons among English midfielders in the Premier League.
Maguire’s exclusion has also sparked reactions online, with his mother reportedly voicing her frustration on social media.
Elsewhere, Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw is also expected to be omitted despite initially being part of Tuchel’s provisional squad after a solid season.
Defenders Dan Burn and Nico O’Reilly are reportedly in line for selection, while Chelsea’s Levi Colwill and AC Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori are understood to have missed the final cut.
Arsenal winger Noni Madueke, however, is believed to have secured a place in the squad.