Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are set to miss out on Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man England World Cup squad, which will be announced on Friday.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire will also be left out, with the 33-year-old claiming he is “shocked and gutted” at the decision.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is poised to be included—after helping his side win the Europa League on Wednesday—with Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney, who has scored 32 goals in 32 appearances in the Saudi Arabian league this season.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is expected to miss out, despite being the top-scoring English player in the Premier League this season, alongside Watkins and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, on 14 goals.
Foden of Manchester City and Palmer of Chelsea, both attacking midfielders who can also play forward, have had erratic seasons with their respective clubs.
Maguire revealed on Instagram: “I felt convinced I could have played a significant role for my country this summer following the season I’ve had. The choice has left me startled and gutted. I wish the players the best.”
Maguire’s mother, Zoe, expressed her unhappiness on social media, stating she was “disgusted” by the decision.
Luke Shaw, Maguire’s Manchester United teammate, is also expected to be left out despite his stellar season.
Shaw was named to Tuchel’s 55-man provisional squad, and there had been calls for his inclusion.
Shaw, however, is poised to miss out because Newcastle’s Dan Burn and Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly are also in line for call-ups.
Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori are expected to miss out, but Arsenal winger Noni Madueke is expected to make the squad.
He joins Premier League-winning teammates Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Eberechi Eze, who will be rewarded for his outstanding showing with a place in the 26.
Given the absences of Maguire, Tomori, and Colwill, Manchester City defender John Stones is a strong candidate, despite his injury-plagued season.
Tuchel sees Stones as an important player, but he is concerned about his fitness after leaving Manchester City.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is also expected to miss out, although Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo will remain in the team, having been called up for past friendlies.
Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson, who has been a consistent starter under Tuchel, is expected to preserve his place.
Tuchel’s World Cup squad includes
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), John Stones (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Dan Burn (Newcastle)
Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)
The World Cup, which takes place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, begins on June 11.
