Joe Cole’s Vision for the England World Cup Squad
Joe Cole has put forward his vision for the England team that he believes can ‘win the World Cup’. The Three Lions, under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, have faced some challenges in their recent international fixtures. They drew 1-1 with Uruguay and then lost 1-0 to Japan before heading to the World Cup this summer. Despite these results, England remains one of the favorites for the tournament, having reached back-to-back European Championship finals under former manager Sir Gareth Southgate.
England also made deep runs in two World Cups under Southgate, losing in the semi-finals in 2018 and the quarter-finals in Qatar four years later. Cole believes the Three Lions can end their 60-year wait for a World Cup trophy this summer, but only if Tuchel selects the right team.
Tuchel faces several selection dilemmas, particularly in positions such as centre-back, central midfield, and on both wings. England is set to announce their final squad on May 22. Cole has suggested a solution to one of the selection debates, arguing that Cole Palmer should start on the right-wing ahead of Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka.
Saka has been England’s first-choice in that position for several years but has endured a poor season for Arsenal by his standards. However, his form has picked up somewhat in recent weeks. While Cole supports Palmer starting for England at the World Cup, he also wants Tuchel to show faith in Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon on the other flank.
Cole believes Tuchel should overlook Saka but highlights Declan Rice as the most important member of England’s squad. On The Dressing Room podcast, Cole outlined his ideal England team for the World Cup:
Cole’s Ideal England Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
- Defenders: Reece James, Marc Guehi, John Stones
- Left-Back: Nico O’Reilly (despite preferring Lewis Hall)
- Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson
- Forward: Jude Bellingham as the No. 10
- Right-Winger: Cole Palmer
- Left-Winger: Anthony Gordon
Cole emphasized the importance of Rice, stating that he is the most crucial player on the pitch and needs to marshal the midfield effectively. He also highlighted the need for England to be strong off the ball if they are to win the World Cup.
Cole’s team would feature a powerful midfield of Rice, Anderson, Bellingham, and Palmer, combining power, ability, and goals. He suggested that Bellingham could play as the No. 10, with Palmer coming in from the right. This setup would allow for a dynamic attacking approach.
Selection Debate: Right Wing
Poll
Who should start for England at right wing?
- Saka
- Palmer
On the left, Cole prefers Anthony Gordon over Marcus Rashford due to his goal-scoring ability, pressing, and stamina. He believes this will help Harry Kane if he drops off sometimes. Cole is confident that with this team, England can control possession and win the World Cup.
England was drawn in Group L for this summer’s World Cup and will kick off their campaign against Croatia on June 17. They will face Ghana and Panama in subsequent group games as Tuchel’s side aims to advance to the knockout stages and ultimately win the World Cup for the first time since 1966.
