Gareth Southgate is finalising his options ahead of the World Cup later this year, with the England manager boasting an embarrassment of attacking riches at present.
The Three Lions reached the final of the delayed Euro 2020 last summer and expectations are high ahead of the winter World Cup in Qatar, beginning in November.
Among the most difficult selections will be in midfield with Southgate boasting a host of creative options who are enjoying impressive individual seasons.
We’ve decided to look at the most prolific English midfielders this season, ranking the five players with the most combined goals and assists in all competitions.
Jude Bellingham – 19
Jude Bellingham’s star continues to rise with the midfielder having established himself as one of the most exciting talents in world football at Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham became England’s third youngest international of all-time when making his debut in 2020 and has since won 10 caps for the senior side, though Southgate has taken a patient approach after handing the 18-year-old just three starts.
Phenomenal. ๐คฉ@BellinghamJude, that is out of this world. ๐ซ pic.twitter.com/Qzl4EhtE0N
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) October 23, 2021
Bellingham’s performances for Dortmund this season are making it increasingly hard to leave him out at international level, however, with the teenager having scored six goals and provided 13 assists across all competitions for the Bundesliga side.
The midfielder has operated from a box-to-box role for much of the campaign, but has shown his versatility in both advanced and more disciplined positions. He will be hopeful of earning a chance to become a regular in Southgate’s side during March’s international break.
Phil Foden – 19
Phil Foden is another of English football’s brightest talents and has grown in importance at Manchester City across the past two campaigns.
Foden provided 26 goal involvements last season and has 19 for the current campaign so far, having become the lead of the Manchester City attack in a false nine position for much of the season.
Different gravy ๐@PhilFoden ๐คฉ
๐ท #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/vb6Dsbjvdt
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 4, 2021
The 21-year-old’s immaculate close control and comfortability in congested areas are traits that have been lacking in English midfielders for decades, his emergence a welcome addition to the Three Lions’ ranks.
Pep Guardiola chose to keep Foden in close proximity as he oversaw the starlet’s development and he is now a first-choice at arguably world football’s most talented club side.
England have a depth of talent emerging in their teens and early twenties, but Foden remains the most exciting of the lot.
Mason Mount – 20
Mason Mount has been a favourite of several managers since his emergence at Chelsea, the midfielder’s mix of creativity, tactical intelligence and work-rate having often made him certain starter.
Mount was central to Chelsea’s success in the Champions League last season and England’s run to the final of Euro 2020, though he has improved his output this season to reach 20 goals and assists in all competitions.
Mount โ Lukaku! ๐ช pic.twitter.com/kfJq0YkVvu
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 21, 2022
That figure is already two more than he managed in 2020/21 and Mount looks set to be an important figure for club and country for seasons to come. He now has 50 goal involvements in 148 appearances for Chelsea.
James Maddison – 20
James Maddison is another who has been overlooked for the forthcoming internationals despite impressive form, having managed 20 goals and assists for Leicester this season.
Maddison has won just one cap for England, coming on as a substitute for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during a 7โ0 win over Montenegro in November 2019.
James Maddison has been directly involved in 20 goals in all competitions this season:
๐ 27 starts
โฝ๏ธ 13 goals
๐ ฐ๏ธ 7 assistsWorld Cup hopeful. ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐ pic.twitter.com/QIQzv9CXV5
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 20, 2022
Maddison spoke previously on his disappointment at being left out of the England squad in November 2020, telling BT Sport about his desire to be a regular at international level.
โYes, if I am being honest,” he said when asked if he was disappointed to be omitted.
“I want to be in the England squad. It is dream since I was a kid and I have had a taste of it.”
Almost 18 months later and Maddison still appears to have work to do to convince Southgate, despite a return of 13 goals and seven assists for Leicester in all competitions.
Jarrod Bowen – 21
Jarrod Bowen can count himself unfortunate to have missed out on the latest England squad, the West Ham winger’s foot problem having ended his hopes of a maiden call up this month.
Bowen has enjoyed an excellent season with the Hammers and has provided 21 goals and assists in all competitions, with no English midfielder having managed more.
Jarrod Bowen is into double figures for goals and assists this season ๐ช
โฝ๏ธ 10
๐ ฐ๏ธ 10pic.twitter.com/C9VcUWmzrw— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 5, 2022
The 25-year-old’s goals have been crucial to a West Ham side lacking alternatives to Michail Antonio at centre-forward, keeping alive the club’s hopes of European qualification through their league finish.
Bowen will hope to return to fitness and form soon as he bids to make a push for an international call, with England set to face Hungary, Germany and Italy in the UEFA Nations League in June.
