England World Cup watch: A good week for Phil Foden, Jarrod Bowen and Callum Wilson... but one to forget for Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold after his showing in Brighton draw won't have changed Gareth Southgate's mind

  • With only weeks to go until Qatar, Gareth Southgate would have been watching 
  • Phil Foden's hat-trick gave him a good week, as did Jarrod Bowen's first goal
  • However, Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson suffered 

With the World Cup less than two months away, players will be keen to put in strong performances for their clubs to cement their involvement in Gareth Southgate's plans.

Phil Foden was a vital piece of Man City's dominant derby day win, but Trent Alexander-Arnold had a weekend to forget for his involvement in Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Brighton.

Here we look at some of the winners and losers of this week's club action with one eye on England's possible squad for Qatar.

Phil Foden's hat-trick against Man United proves he is a vital part of Gareth Southgate's squad

Phil Foden's hat-trick against Man United proves he is a vital part of Gareth Southgate's squad

Southgate only has a few weeks to decide which players he picks for his squad in Qatar

Southgate only has a few weeks to decide which players he picks for his squad in Qatar

 

Good week


PHIL FODEN

If Gareth Southgate could choose one player to replicate his club form in an England shirt, it would be Foden. How different he looks stretching the play, without having to wonder whether he’s getting in the way of an onrushing wing-back. 

His three goals were examples of his superb instinct to find space, and having the speed to make it count. Bukayo Saka is in fine form himself, but he will not dislodge this version of Foden from the line-up.

JARROD BOWEN

Bowen was one of 12 players in the most recent 26-man squad not to play a minute of football against Italy and Germany, and his place was under threat from Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho. 

But a first league goal of the season against Wolves on Saturday should be the boost he needs to kick on for Qatar.

Jarrod Bowen's hopes of going to the World Cup were boosted with his goal against Wolves

Jarrod Bowen's hopes of going to the World Cup were boosted with his goal against Wolves

CALLUM WILSON

Ivan Toney will tell you how hard it is to get even a minute up front for England, but Wilson’s excellent response to £60million Alexander Isak coming in at Newcastle shows just how little he’s prepared to sit around not playing.

Callum Wilson has fought for his involvement at Newcastle despite Alexander Isak's arrival

Callum Wilson has fought for his involvement at Newcastle despite Alexander Isak's arrival

 

Bad week

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD

If Jurgen Klopp was convinced that Alexander-Arnold is a fine defender, then no one told Brighton. Mentally, he looks shot after a fortnight of being conspicuous by his absence from the England squad and relentless debate over whether this supremely talented player can do the job others in his position consider their primary task.

 Leandro Trossard ran him ragged and Brighton could have been four up inside 20 minutes as they repeatedly targeted the Liverpool right. Until Alexander-Arnold gives them a reason not to, Liverpool’s opponents will keep going at him.

TAlexander-Arnold was outplayed by Brighton's Leandro Trossard in Saturday's 3-3 draw

Trent Alexander-Arnold was outplayed by Brighton's Leandro Trossard in Saturday's 3-3 draw

ERIC DIER 

The Tottenham centre back only got back into the England set-up last month for the first time in nearly two years, but struggled in both matches and was then given the run around by Gabriel Jesus on Saturday. But the bar is not all that high for an England centre back at present.

Eric Dier recently got into the England fold, but he was given the runaround by Gabriel Jesus

Eric Dier recently got into the England fold, but he was given the runaround by Gabriel Jesus

JORDAN HENDERSON 

He was reduced to a bit-part player at Euro 2020 last summer, though was extremely valuable off the field. But his time looks to be up for England, especially with Jude Bellingham — who captained Borussia Dortmund at just 19 on Saturday — looking imperious.

Jordan Henderson's time with the Three Lions might be over with Jude Bellingham on the rise

Jordan Henderson's time with the Three Lions might be over with Jude Bellingham on the rise

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