Rating England's new additions as Chelsea loanee Loftus-Cheek impresses

Sport360 staff 16:20 15/11/2017
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  • Gareth Southgate has not been afraid to put his faith in youth since taking charge of England and guiding the Three Lions to the 2018 World Cup.

    The England manager continued that policy for the two goalless draws against Germany and Brazil as he works on his master plan for Russia next summer.

    Here’s a look at the young players given their chance in the senior England side since the start of the season.

    HARRY WINKS

    The Tottenham midfielder had been waiting for his chance back at his club but grabbed his opportunity with both hands to earn his first England call-up for the World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Lithuania.

    He started the latter and was a bright spark in a forgettable 1-0 win for the Three Lions with the 21-year-old impressing in possession. Injury forced him to miss the recent friendlies after he starred for Spurs in their two Champions League games against holders Real Madrid.

    Rating: 6/10

    Harry Winks

    Harry Winks

    HARRY MAGUIRE

    The Leicester defender could be installed as the elder statesman of recent debutants as he was handed his maiden cap at the age of 24.

    Maguire started alongside fellow newcomer Winks in the win in Vilnius, retaining his place in Southgate’s back three for the recent friendly double-header where he played his part in keeping the World champions and the mighty Brazil at bay.

    Rating: 7/10

    Harry Maguire

    Harry Maguire

    JORDAN PICKFORD

    Pickford made his debut in Friday’s goalless stalemate with Germany, making a couple of impressive saves to keep Timo Werner out.

    The Everton goalkeeper is another to roll off the England production line and was handed the gloves for his first cap despite his Everton side struggling in the Premier League and he proved his call-up was justified.

    Rating: 8/10

    Jordan Pickford

    Jordan Pickford

    RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK

    The 21-year-old midfielder felt he had to move away from Chelsea on loan this season to play regular first-team football and earned his senior debut after starring for a Crystal Palace side who sit bottom of the Premier League.

    After a nervy first 10 minutes on his debut against Germany, Loftus-Cheek showed his class and grew into the international fold before picking up the man of the match award. His international week was marred as he was forced off in the first-half of the Brazil game with a back injury.

    Rating: 8/10

    Ruben Loftus-Cheek

    Ruben Loftus-Cheek

    TAMMY ABRAHAM

    Another Chelsea loanee who has earned his senior England call-up while away from Stamford Bridge, Abraham has scored five goals at Swansea so far this season.

    With Harry Kane out injured, the 20-year-old was handed a starting berth by Southgate for the Germany game. He struggled to make a similar impact to Loftus-Cheek but showed some promise and also came off the bench four days later against Brazil.

    Rating: 6/10

    Tammy Abraham

    Tammy Abraham

    JOE GOMEZ

    Similar to Winks at Tottenham, Gomez had to be patient to land a run of games in the Liverpool side despite being a regular fixture in the England youth teams.

    The 20-year-old is now enjoying himself at Anfield and the defender came on for the injured Phil Jones against Germany before starting and earning the man-of-the-match accolade in the Brazil stalemate, playing his part in keeping Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and club-mate Philippe Coutinho quiet.

    Rating: 8/10

    Joe Gomez

    Joe Gomez

    DOMINIC SOLANKE

    While Solanke has only played seven times in the Premier League, the Liverpool forward is highly thought of by Southgate and his staff and was called up for the Brazil friendly alongside Lewis Cook and Angus Gunn.

    The former Chelsea youngster, 20, came off the bench in the latter stages and did enough to impress ex-England international Ian Wright, coming close to winning the game late on only to get the ball caught under his feet.

    Rating: 5/10

    Dominic Solanke

    Dominic Solanke

    Provided by Press Association Sport

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