Harry Maguire, John Stones and Dominic Calvert-Lewin from South Yorkshire have all been included in England’s final squad before the World Cup.
Maguire and Calvert-Lewin began their careers at Sheffield United, and Stones first played for Barnsley FC.
England Manager Thomas Tuchel has split his 35-man squad, with 11 players joining the camp later. Tuchel said he has done this to “give them a break”, and the team “will benefit from this in later games”.
This selection of experienced players will join the camp for the match against Japan, and includes stars such as Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka.
The smaller squad controversially does not include Maguire, who played in both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Tuchel said this decision was down to wanting to get to know new players. “Harry isn’t a new player in an England shirt, of course, but he’s new to me in this camp.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, currently a striker for Leeds United, last played for England in 2021. He is in camp for the Uruguay match at the end of the month, and Tuchel described him as “a good penalty taker”.
ShefNews got reactions from football fans around Sheffield following the lineup announcement.
Oli Stanton, 20, a student at Sheffield University, said: “The forwards is a real mixed bag, I’m really excited to see Calvert-Lewin though. He’s been doing extremely well for Leeds and it’s nice to see him back in contention for the squad.”
Mark Smith, 50, a traffic supervisor, said: “It’s a fairly standard squad, I understand why its so big given the number of games some of these players have played, or still have left this season. I’m still not convinced about Henderson or Foden, he’s had a very average season.”
Ellis Lowthorpe, 19, a student at Sheffield University, said: “I think Jordan Henderson being in is a bit rogue, I know he wants that experience in the squad but what can Henderson do that no one else can? You know, Bellingham, Rice, Palmer, they’re miles better players than Henderson, and they’re players who already have experience in the England squad.”
Alex Hodgson, 20, a student at Northumbria University, said: “Not sure why Tuchel has picked five goalkeepers, especially Steele. I think he should be giving younger players more of a chance. But not picking Trent is a mistake, he’s been good for Real Madrid recently and we could use his set piece ability.”
The squad will get their first chance to prove themselves against Uruguay on 27 March in the World Cup send off international friendly at Wembley Stadium.