ENGLAND WORLD CUP WATCH

2022-10-31 - By AADAM PATEL

GOOD WEEK

CALLUM WILSON

IN front of Gareth Southgate, Callum Wilson scored twice for Newcastle, taking his tally to six in the Premier League this season. Harry Kane and Ivan Toney are the only Englishmen to have scored more. ‘I’ve been asked numerous times about the World Cup and yes I’d love to go, but it was time for me to do my talking on the football field,’ Wilson told Match of the Day.

REISS NELSON

ONE man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity and Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson made the most of his, scoring twice and getting an assist after replacing Bukayo Saka. It may come a little too late for the 22-year-old, who has played for England through the youth ranks but he did himself and his England chances no harm with a superb display off the bench.

MARCUS RASHFORD

IN a week in which he scored his 99th and 100th Manchester United goals, Marcus Rashford may just be hitting form at the right time. His bullet header was the difference against West Ham but his last competitive goal for England was more than two years ago. He has not played for England since Euro 2020.

BAD WEEK RAHEEM STERLING

SOUTHGATE has always been a fan of Raheem Sterling but his form will definitely be a concern to the England manager. Against Brighton, Sterling lost the ball 18 times — more than anyone else. The 27-year-old has not scored for Chelsea since August and was substituted after an hour by Graham Potter.

JOE GOMEZ

AFTER impressing against Man City two weeks ago and calls growing around an England recall, Joe Gomez endured a horrid evening at Anfield. His mistake led to Leeds’ opener and he was all over the place in the first half. Gomez’s performance would have caught the eye of Southgate, but for all the wrong reasons.

BUKAYO SAKA

HE had provided the only assist of the game but Bukayo Saka was forced off with an injury after 27 minutes. Just three weeks before the start of the World Cup, the sight of Saka heading straight down the tunnel was not a good one for England fans. The 21-year-old struggled after a heavy challenge from Renan Lodi and though he set up Gabriel Martinelli’s opener, Saka required treatment twice before he was taken off. Reiss Nelson, Saka’s replacement made the most of his chance, scoring twice.