England squad confirmed: Harry Maguire and Nathaniel Chalobah called up for World Cup qualifiers
England manager Gareth Southgate has named his first squad of the season, and the first since Wayne Rooney’s international retirement.
Rooney, the country’s record goalscorer, made the announcement on Wednesday ahead of the forthcoming international break.
England, currently top of their World Cup qualifying group (F), play Malta on September 1 before facing Slovakia at Wembley Stadium three days later.
The standout inclusions in Southgate’s latest squad is Leicester City’s Harry Maguire and former Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, who have received their first senior call-ups.
The defender, signed from Hull City this summer, has made an impressive start to the campaign with the Foxes.
The England squad in full
Goalkeepers
Jack Butland (Stoke City), Joe Hart (West Ham United, on loan from Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley) and Jordan Pickford (Everton).
Defenders
Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Aaron Cresswell (West Ham United), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Michael Keane (Everton), Harry Maguire (Leicester City), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur) and Kyle Walker (Manchester City).
Midfielders
Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Jake Livermore (West Bromwich Albion), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) and Raheem Sterling (Manchester City).
Forwards
Jermain Defoe (AFC Bournemouth), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) and Danny Welbeck (Arsenal).
