England left back options: who will Gareth Southgate pick for Qatar 2022 World Cup after Ben Chilwell injury?

The FIFA 2022 World Cup is rapidly approaching and Gareth Southgate will soon be choosing his starting line-up for the opening game in Qatar.

The England manager has selected an extremely strong 26 man squad for the tournament with the likes of Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Bukaya Saka all entering the World Cup at the top of their game.

However, one of the more problematic areas for Southgate to consider could be the left back position and England were forced to contend with injuries to players such as Ben Chilwell and James Justin when picking the squad.

With that in mind we have taken a look at the potential left back options for England in Qatar and the players that were unlucky to miss out on this year’s squad.

Which left backs made England’s World Cup squad?

Luke Shaw

Gareth Southgate has chosen Luke Shaw at left back ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

The 27-year-old has represented England on 23 occasions and played an integral role last year for the Three Lions during Euro 2020 - making three assists on the road to the final.

Southgate rewarded Shaw with a starting spot in the final against Italy in Euro 2020 and he rose to the occasion by scoring his first ever international goal. The Three Lions narrowly missed out on European glory after a penalty shoot out loss.

Shaw entered Euro 2020 at the top of his game but has struggled to replicate that form for Manchester United in recent seasons. The 27-year-old spent large periods of last season sidelined by injury and has been very inconsistent for Erik Ten Hag this campaign.

Kieran Trippier

Kieran Trippier has been in immense form for the Magpies this season and has made the England squad for a third consecutive international tournament.

The 32-year-old became the first signing of the new Saudi regime on Tyneside in January 2022 and has been a catalyst for the club’s turnaround in fortunes.

Tripper has featured in every single game for the Magpies this season and has recorded an impressive four assists whilst also scoring on one occasion. At the time of writing Newcastle United have the joint best defence in the Premier League - having conceded just 11 goals and the 32-year old has played a key part in changing the culture of the club as the captain.

Although Trippier has played exclusively at right back for the Magpies this season, he is no stranger to filling in one the left hand side as he proved in England’s opening victory over Croatia in Euro 2020.

Southgate has an abundance of exciting options to choose from at right back such as Kyle Walker, Ben White and Trent Alexander Arnold so there is the possibility that Trippier will fill in on the left to accommodate one of those.

However, it largely depends on Walker’s race to get fit and at the moment Trippier enters the tournament as England’s most in form right back.

Trippier has represented England on 37 occasions and his most memorable moment was a free kick against Croatia in the 2018 World Cup semi-final.

Who missed out on an England call up?

Dan Burn

Dan Burn has been in excellent form for the Magpies this year and has been unlucky to miss out on an England call up.

The Blyth born defender stands at a mammoth height of 6ft6 and isn’t the typical build of a left sided defender. However, throughout the course of his career at both Brighton and Newcastle he has proven that he can play both in the centre back position and as a left back.

Burn may not provide the creativity and flair which some left backs offer but his strong organisation skills and positional sense has made him an ever present for the Magpies throughout the campaign.

Burn joined Newcastle United in January 2022 and has proven a key component in transforming Eddie Howe’s side from relegation strugglers to European contenders.

The Blyth born defender is yet to represent the England national team.

Ryan Sessegnon

Ryan Sessegnon burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old in 2016 and within a year of making his debut for Fulham the young left back became one of the most sought after youngsters in world football.

Following Fulham’s relegation to the Championship in 2019, Sessegnon completed a move to Tottenham Hotspur but has taken some time to settle in North London after suffering a series of injuries.

However, following the appointment of Antonio Conte last season, Sessegnon has reemerged as a first team regular for the North London club and has often been deployed as a left wing back.

Sessegnon - still only 22 is still on for the future and he has an abundance of experience for England at youth level with 49 appearances.

He is undoubtedly a player that Southgate will be very familiar with from his experience coaching England’s under 21-side and many pundits viewed him as a good option for the wing back role.

Tyrick Mitchell

Mitchell has already been capped on two occasions for the Three Lions, but is unable to make the cut for this year’s tournament.

The 23-year-old defender is a product of the Crystal Palace youth system and was handed his debut by former England manager Roy Hodgson during his time as Eagles boss.

Mitchell has been an ever-present for Crystal Palace following the appointment of Patrick Vieira and has played in every game this season making two assists as the Eagles sit comfortably in 10th position.

Who made the England squad?

Gareth Southgate announced his final England squad on Thursday 10 November ahead of the tournament in Qatar. He will be aiming to become the first England manager in 56 years to win a trophy for the Three Lions.

Here is the full England Squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar:

Goalkeepers:

• Jordan Pickford - Everton
• Aaron Ramsdale - Arsenal
• Nick Pope - Newcastle United

Defenders

• Trent Alexander-Arnold - Liverpool
• Conor Coady - Everton
• Eric Dier - Tottenham Hotspur
• Harry Maguire - Manchester United
• Luke Shaw - Manchester United
• John Stones - Manchester City
• Kieran Trippier - Newcastle United
• Kyle Walker - Manchester City
• Ben White - Arsenal

Midfielders

• Jude Bellingham - Borussia Dortmund
• Conor Gallagher - Chelsea
• Jordan Henderson - Liverpool
• Mason Mount - Chelsea
• Kalvin Phillips - Manchester City
• Declan Rice - West Ham United

Forwards

• Phil Foden - Manchester City
• Jack Grealish - Manchester City
• Harry Kane - Tottenham Hotspur
• James Maddison - Leicester City
• Marcus Rashford - Manchester United
• Bukayo Saka - Arsenal
• Raheem Sterling - Chelsea
• Callum Wilson - Newcastle United