Gareth Southgate's first ever England line-up - Where are they now?
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Gareth Southgate's first ever England line-up - Where are they now?

22/03/24 10:37

As Gareth Southgate prepares his squad for another international break and the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament, we thought we'd take a look back at the players that started in his first ever game in charge of the Three Lions, a 2-0 victory over Malta at Wembley.

Joe Hart

In goal for Southgate was Joe Hart, who'd been England's number 1 for the majority of the last decade. However, after a lacklustre performance at Euro 2016, this was the beginning of the end for him. In the build-up to the 2018 World Cup, he was eventually toppled by Jordan Pickford.

In 2018, Hart had his 12 year association with Manchester City ended, he went on to play for Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and now Celtic, but is set to leave at the end of the season.

Kyle Walker

The now Manchester City treble winner was still with Spurs at the time of this game. He left North London in 2017, going on to play a pivotal part for England at the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, as well as the 2020 Euros.

In Manchester, he's now one of the most decorated right-backs in English history.

Gary Cahill

Cahill has got to be one of the most underrated centre-backs of all time. Two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a Champions League and a Europa League is remarkable. On the international stage though, he never really got his opportunity to shine.

In 2019, Cahill left for Crystal Palace and then retired with Bournemouth in 2022.

John Stones

Not long before this game, Stones had just joined Man City for, at the time, a whopping £47.5 million. Many people doubted the defender was worth that much. But looking back at his trophy collection, Stones making that move has to be one of the best signings in recent football history.

John Stones England

After playing against Malta in this game, Stones has been the first defender on the team sheet for Southgate for some time now. If England are to win a trophy in the next few years, Stones will no doubt play a major part in it.

Ryan Bertrand

A man who made his debut for Chelsea in the 2012 Champions League final, Bertrand has had a rather strange career.

Bertrand was of course picked for this game, but never made the 2018 World Cup squad, much to his distaste.

At the moment, the full-back doesn't have a club, and last played for Leicester City.

Jordan Henderson

Henderson went on to win it all at Liverpool and go on to be Southgate's most consistent midfielder for the next eight years. Going on to play at every single major tournament possible.

Jordan Henderson England

In the summer of 2023, Henderson sparked controversy when leaving Liverpool for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq FC. However, after only six months away from Europe, the now 33-year-old made a switch back to the Netherlands in January of 2024.

Dele Alli

Dele was arguably England's hottest prospect at the time of this game. He'd just burst on to the scene for Spurs and was one of the most valuable players in the world.

After the covid-19 pandemic though, his career took a downward spiral. His success in North London dried up, and he was sold to Everton. He was then shipped back to Merseyside after an unsuccessful loan spell in Turkey with Besiktas, and is still with the Blues now, with his future at the club up in the air.

Wayne Rooney

Rooney is of course one of the best players England have ever produced. He played at several major tournaments and is currently the nations second all-time top goal scorer.

Rooney came out and claimed he'd retire from international football after the 2018 World Cup, but Southgate left him out one of his squads leading up to the qualifiers, only to recall him after some strong form for Everton. But Rooney snubbed him back, and announced an early retirement from England.

The legend did come out of retirement in 2017 to play one final game against USA.

Rooney is now a manager, and was sacked by Birmingham City earlier this year.

Theo Walcott

This match for Walcott was actually the reason that Southgate dropped him for the upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifiers. He had a strong start to the season, but the new England boss didn't think the winger had transferred that form on to the pitch for the Three Lions.

Walcott retired from professional football in 2023, and is now a pundit.

Gareth Southgate England

Daniel Sturridge

Sturridge's fine form in the early 2010 didn't go any further than that. He eventually left Liverpool in 2019 on a free transfer to Trabzonspor. The last club he played for was Australia's Perth Glory.

Jesse Lingard

Lingard would go on to be one of Southgate's best players at the 2018 World Cup. But will most likely never play for England again.

The attacking midfielder left Manchester United for Nottingham Forest in 2022 but didn't last long there. After half a season with no game time, he's now with FC Seoul in South Korea.

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