England’s Top 20 Right Now – Part 1 (20–11) after a Wild World Cup

England have just come off a World Cup that had the nation dreaming again. They led Argentina late in Atlanta before a brutal turnaround, then walloped France in a 10-goal third-place thriller. Thomas Tuchel, installed in January 2025 and tied down through Euro 2028, now oversees a group in flux: big transfers, big comebacks, and a few big decisions looming. This is the deepest pool of English talent we’ve seen in years, and the competition for shirts is ferocious.

Our ranking weighs recent club form, impact in big matches, tactical usefulness to England, availability/fitness, and a dash of long-term upside. If you’re sizing up the form guides as keenly as the scouts, the best betting sites will be watching these names closely too.

20) Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

Froze out under Ruben Amorim, loaned to Aston Villa, then shipped to Barcelona for a season — Rashford still found his stride in Catalonia with 14 goals and 15 assists en route to the La Liga title. Barca didn’t bite permanently, though, and he’s back at Old Trafford for another crack under Michael Carrick. Early 2026/27 returns (6 apps, 0 goals, 0 assists) are quiet, but the runway is there. If United fly, he’ll be part of the lift-off.

19) Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid)

Outstanding for Liverpool during their 2024/25 title push, the right-back chased the dream at the Bernabéu. So far, it’s been stop-start: defensive questions persist, and under José Mourinho he’s currently behind summer arrival Denzel Dumfries. Omitted from the World Cup but recalled for the Nations League, his 26/27 opening (5 apps, 0 goals, 1 assist) suggests he’s fighting to reassert that outrageous passing range on Europe’s grandest stage.

18) Phil Foden (Manchester City)

Premier League Player of the Season in 2023/24, a serial title-winner and still entering his prime — yet injuries and a reshaped City squad have blunted his rhythm. With Enzo Maresca steering the post-Pep era and fresh attackers vying for minutes, Foden’s start to 26/27 (6 apps, 0 goals, 2 assists) leaves him work to do. The ability hasn’t gone anywhere; he just needs a run to remind everyone why he’s City’s match-winner-in-waiting.

17) Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)

Written off by Amorim, reborn under Carrick. In a 4-3-3 with freedom to step forward, Mainoo looks the part — poised, progressive and ice-cool under pressure. His late winner against Liverpool in May was a statement of intent, and at 21 he’s only getting started. The numbers (7 apps, 0 goals, 1 assist) don’t tell the full tale of a midfielder knitting United together.

16) Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Surprised many when he missed out on the 2026 World Cup squad, because Palace’s tempo-setter from deep has been superb. After a 53-game season that helped fuel a European trophy charge, Wharton has shaken off niggles and kept Palace ticking despite turnover in the squad. Vision, bravery on the ball, and razor-sharp forward passing mark him out. Start to 26/27: 7 apps, 0 goals, 1 assist — and plenty of control in games that matter.

15) Eberechi Eze (Arsenal)

Left Selhurst a hero — remember that FA Cup final winner over Man City — and joined Arsenal’s title winners for 25/26. Breaking into Mikel Arteta’s XI is a tall order, but in cameos Eze has flashed the glide, guile and balance that made him a summer prize. For England, he’s a tactical wild card who can change the rhythm of a game. Early 26/27: 7 apps, 0 goals, 1 assist — the quality’s evident, the minutes just need to follow.

14) Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United)

From injury-hit years to a Leeds lifeline. A sharp tactical tweak from Daniel Farke turned his fortunes, yielding a strong league return and a flying start this term: 7 apps, 4 goals, 0 assists. In the air he’s a nightmare, on the deck he’s grafting, and he’s earned a September England nod. If he stays fit, he’s a proper Plan B — and sometimes Plan A — against deep or physical back lines.

13) Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)

The creative heartbeat at Forest under Nuno Espírito Santo, Gibbs-White strung together 17 goal contributions in 38 league matches in 24/25 and kept standards high. Interest from elsewhere bubbled — Forest reportedly even sought legal advice amid concerns over an improper approach — but he stayed put. With England stacked at 10 (think Bellingham, Foden, Palmer, Rogers), he’s unlucky. Start to 26/27: 5 apps, 1 goal, 2 assists. At a bigger club, he’d be in every squad conversation.

12) Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City)

From academy gem to England World Cup starter at full-back in what felt like a blink. O’Reilly’s versatility — left-back, midfield, even further forward — and physical profile make him tailor-made for elite football. Two goals in an EFL Cup final win over Arsenal and Young Player of the Year to boot underline the ceiling. Opening 26/27: 6 apps, 0 goals, 1 assist. City and England have a serious one on their hands.

11) Anthony Gordon (Barcelona)

Hardly featured at Euro 2024 and limited at the 2026 World Cup, but Gordon’s £69m leap to Barcelona has started brightly. Two assists on debut, 7 appearances, 5 assists overall — he’s already supplying in a high-pressure environment while jostling with Karim Adeyemi for starts. If the end product keeps flowing, Tuchel will have to make room.

How the top 10 shapes up

That’s the first half of the list done. The top 10 is even tastier — a mix of established megastars and new centrepieces of the national side. On this evidence, England head into Euro 2028 with depth, balance and genuine game-changers. Part two lands next — and it will spark a few pub debates.