Jamie Carragher has suggested that Eberechi Eze should be excluded from England’s squad for the World Cup, having made several bold selections in the 26-man group he’d take to the USA. The Three Lions begin their tournament in just under five months and Thomas Tuchel will already be considering his squad composition. However, former Liverpool defender Carragher has provided the German with some guidance ahead of England’s Group L opener against Croatia in Texas.

Speaking on Sky Sports alongside former Chelsea striker Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink, he chose a complete 26-man squad. Within it, he identified 10 guaranteed selections which featured players such as Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and others. Several other choices proved slightly more challenging, however. One area was England’s wide players, where Carragher picked Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden, but omitted Arsenal duo Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke. Carragher said: “Cole Palmer is not a certainty, but he is a wonderful footballer.

“It is not going well for him at Chelsea with injuries, but remember his performance against PSG in the Club World Cup final. He was out of this world. He has scored in a final [for England, Euro 2024]. He goes.

“For me, Phil Foden goes too. But you couldn’t play them both [Foden and Palmer] in the same team. I think Rashford, and I had a decision… I don’t think the outsiders have done enough. I decided to go with Anthony Gordon – he has been the go-to guy. He needs to add more goals, but him ahead of [Noni] Madueke, who I don’t think will play enough football.”

Carragher also faced several choices regarding his midfield options alongside Bellingham, Rice and Nottingham Forest sensation Elliot Anderson. A surprising inclusion was Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo despite his challenging season.

Justifying his choice, Carragher stated: “It is on his [last] two performances, but [also] what he has done for England. He has played in a final.

“He has to have a good run, but what we saw him do for England, the Netherlands game [Euro 2024 semi-final], his performance that night at such a young age… it was like he was playing with his mates. I couldn’t believe it.”

Another contentious inclusion was former Liverpool star Jordan Henderson. Carragher said: “Henderson isn’t in the Brentford team, but, when you talk about 26 players, I think you can [select him]. He’s not just in there for the football – he has had an amazing England career – he may be taken as a wildcard, be a bridge between the coaching and playing staff.

Jamie Carragher’s full England squad

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford.

Defenders: Reece James, Lewis Hall, Luke Shaw, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tino Livramento, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Trevoh Chalobah, Harry Maguire.

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson, Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo.

Number 10s and wingers: Morgan Rogers, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon.

Forwards: Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins.

Jamie Carragher’s certainties

Jordan Pickford, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane.