Southgate has options aplenty with Spurs starlets shining

When Gareth Southgate does eventually name his squad for next year’s World Cup there is a good chance the biggest contributors will be Tottenham Hotspur. The ongoing rise of Spurs has been driven by their young stars that are lighting up European football. The fact that the spine of the England side contains Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier says everything you need to know about Spurs’ current trajectory.

“England striker Harry Kane” (CC BY 2.0) by Ben Sutherland

Those three players may not be the only Spurs ones on the plane to Russia next year as Pochettino has a few more of his troops banging loudly on Southgate’s door. Kieran Trippier is going to push Kyle Walker every step of the way as the two right-backs compete for the position. Trippier has quickly developed into an international-class talent and is now producing the goods week in and week out for Spurs.

It has been a meteoric rise for Trippier after making the switch from Burnley in 2015. He has 53 caps for Spurs now which includes a goal and an incredible 17 assists and with Trippier now playing Champions League football there is even more reason for him to be included in Southgate’s squad. He added to his growing number of international caps in the recent international break and is growing in experience at that level.

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Danny Rose will likely line up a few positions across from Trippier in some of England’s upcoming friendlies, which suggest Southgate is open to the idea of Rose making the trip to Russia. Arguably there isn’t a better left-back in the country and with Rose’s injury woes behind him, he is surely going to receive the call to help England win the World Cup. The Yorkshireman had nine months out on the sideline but looks to have hit the ground running again and it is clear Southgate likes what he sees.

“France midfielder Hatem ben Arfa races p” (CC BY 2.0) by Ben Sutherland

Southgate’s biggest Spurs conundrum may come in the form of Harry Winks. The 21-year-old didn’t look out of place when he made his debut against Lithuania during a 1-0 victory in October. Winks is turning heads in the Premier League and is part of the reason why some football tips favour Spurs to be crowned champions. The youngster looks assured on the ball and possesses a head on his shoulders that is beyond his years. He is beginning to influence the Spurs team with his sensational range of passing and is helping them keep City in their sights.

It wouldn’t look out of place for Southgate to select Winks for next summer’s showpiece. The youngster has played Champions League football this season and already has the quality to hold his own on the international stage. He will be the ideal cover and could use this World Cup as a learning expedition as in four years time, when he is 25, there is every possibility he will be the engine room of the England midfield.

It is looking increasingly likely that Southgate will ask six Spurs players to be part of the team he thinks stands the best chance of returning England’s first World Cup since 1966. The majority of them will be the spine of the England team that will carry the hopes of the nation.