Fansided

Why you should watch every team at the 2018 World Cup

By Harrison Hamm

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Ecuador during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Quito, on October 10, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Juan Ruiz (Photo credit should read JUAN RUIZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Ecuador during their 2018 World Cup qualifier football match in Quito, on October 10, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Juan Ruiz (Photo credit should read JUAN RUIZ/AFP/Getty Images) /
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England’s Raheem Sterling (left), Jamie Vardy (centre) and John Stones during a training session at St George’s Park, Burton. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)
England’s Raheem Sterling (left), Jamie Vardy (centre) and John Stones during a training session at St George’s Park, Burton. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images) /

England

They always seem to find a way to squander it, but this English side is a talented one, arguably representing their best chance in years to make a serious World Cup run. Not a single player in this English team is based anywhere other than the Premier League, and only five players (three of which are goalkeepers) play for teams other than the big six — Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal.

Leading the squad will be forwards Harry Kane, Danny Welbeck, Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy, all of whom will be competing for spots in a crowded attack. The midfield is talented and young, featuring 23-year-old Raheem Sterling and 22-year-old Dele Alli in their first shot at a World Cup together.

Three backline contributors from Manchester City’s all-time great Premier League-winning side will compete for starting time: Fabian Delph, Kyle Walker and John Stones. Gareth Southgate’s team has a difficult task with Belgium in their group, but Panama and Tunisia should not be too much of a problem.

After their disappointing elimination from the 2016 Euros at the hands of Iceland, the goal is to compete for a semifinal spot. They have the talent.

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