Wednesday 21 March 2018 19:14, UK
As England step up their preparations for this summer's World Cup, we look at Gareth Southgate's best XI based on their Sky Sports Fantasy Football points.
Southgate's decision to call up uncapped duo Nick Pope and Alfie Mawson to his latest squad are supported by their impressive points tallies, while it comes as no surprise to see players such as Harry Kane and Kyle Walker lead the way.
However, England's problems in central midfield and left-back are highlighted by lacking the option of players with over 100 points to their names in those positions, with World Cup starting hopefuls Jack Wilshere (38 points) and Danny Rose (18 points) holding particularly unimpressive tallies.
Based on Sky Sports Fantasy Football points, here's the highest-scoring XI...
Nick Pope (£5.5m) - 152 points
Rarely has the fight for England's goalkeeping spots been so open heading into a major tournament. Joe Hart's failure to convince since returning to the Premier League with West Ham has given Southgate a selection dilemma, with Stoke's Jack Butland and Everton's Jordan Pickford seemingly leading the way in the hunt for the No 1 shirt.
Meanwhile, Burnley's Nick Pope has been flourishing in the absence of another contender in Tom Heaton as the third highest-scoring goalkeeper in Sky Sports Fantasy Football with 152 points - bettered only by Ederson and David De Gea.
Kyle Walker (£9.5m) - 189 points
The likely 2017/2018 Premier League title winner looks impossible to dislodge as England's starting right-back this summer. His 189 points make him the third highest-scoring defender in Sky Sports Fantasy Football this season and reflect his progression under the guidance of Pep Guardiola. Walker has hauled in 57 points over his last seven league outings to mark a strong individual finish, with his tally of six assists hinting at a valuable role in supplying Harry Kane.
Alfie Mawson (£7.3m) - 125 points
Swansea's resurgence of late has been testament to the defensive improvement Carlos Carvalhal has inspired at the Liberty Stadium. Alfie Mawson has been at the heart of the Swans' effort with 40 points over his last seven games, primarily thanks to a 19-point outing in a January win at home to Liverpool that appeared to trigger a fresh fightback from the Welsh outfit.
The former Barnsley man had also made the most successful passes for a defender outside of the top six with 1107, which is sure to attract Southgate's plan for his team to play out from the back.
Phil Jones (£7.5m) - 117 points
At the foundation of Manchester United's Premier League campaign has been an assured season from a vastly-improved Phil Jones. The defender has served as stern protection for De Gea and asserted himself as the most likely candidate to earn a start amid ongoing debate over England's most accomplished and convincing centre-back partnership. 13 clean sheets and two Sky Sports man-of-the-match awards have contributed towards a tally of 117 points that could be higher were it not for injury setbacks.
Ryan Bertrand (£8.2m) - 95 points
As with his centre-back scenario, Southgate is confronted by an untimely uncertainty over his left-back preference. Danny Rose's injury-stricken season has tarnished his once unrivalled starting spot, Luke Shaw his similarly struggled to rediscover his top form under Jose Mourinho so, despite Southampton's regressive season, the state of the England setup has propelled Ryan Bertrand to starting contention. The 28-year-old's 95 points may be bettered by nine other English defenders, but none represent a more natural left-back alternative than Bertrand.
Raheem Sterling (£9.8m) - 172 points
A haul of 15 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season has all but cemented Raheem Sterling's starting spot this summer. The winger has prospered under Pep Guardiola, conjuring a final-third product and composure few believed he would be capable of. However, as always, the question remains whether one of England's star talents can translate his form onto the international stage.
Dele Alli (£11.6m) - 125 points
Heightened expectations of Dele Alli after last year's stunning campaign have fuelled perceptions he has enjoyed a slightly quieter 2017/2018. That said, the 21-year-old has still managed six goals and 11 assists to reaffirm his importance in sharing the workload with both Harry Kane and England's playmakers in Russia.
Eric Dier (£8.6m) - 92 points
England's depleted class of central midfielders leaves Eric Dier as the obvious choice to occupy a holding role. A mixed season for the 24-year-old has consisted of regular minutes that arguably place him above Jordan Henderson (81 points) and Jack Wilshere (38). Dier has made the sixth-most successful passes for a midfielder this season (1711), sitting as a solid foundation with the product to bring team-mates into play.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£8.9m) - 95 points
The former Arsenal man has injected new life into his World Cup aspirations thanks to his rise in form under Jurgen Klopp. Oxlade-Chamberlain has amassed three goals, five assists and three man-of-the-match awards on his way towards 96 points this season and, in the process, taking meaningful strides in his effort to convince as a central midfielder.
Jesse Lingard (£8.8m) - 105 points
Manchester United's local-born Jesse Lingard has surfaced as a surprise contender having embarked on an upward trajectory similar to that of Oxlade-Chamberlain. An encouraging return of eight goals and four assists in the league hints at another key attacking commodity for Southgate to deploy.
Harry Kane (£12.9m) - 241 points
Wide-spread concern over Harry Kane's injury against Bournemouth across the Premier League marked testament to the expectations that rest on his shoulders heading into the World Cup. With 24 goals, two assists and seven man-of-the-match awards amounting to 241 points, Tottenham's main man is only trumped by Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne at the top of the points' scoring charts. Of England's striking options, Jamie Vardy is next in line on 132 followed by Glenn Murray with 110 - the same as retired captain Wayne Rooney.
