Six uncapped midfielders targeting England debuts next season

England are about to undergo a transitional period with Gareth Southgate having stepped down as manager after eight years in charge.

The FA are considering candidates for the role ahead of England’s qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup and a change in the dugout could lead to change on the pitch.

The Three Lions boast one of the most stacked squads in the international game right now, but there’s a collection of talents pushing for inclusion. Central midfield is one area that remains uncertain with Southgate having experimented during Euro 2024 and we’ve looked at six uncapped players pushing for England debuts in 2024-25.

Morgan Gibbs-White – Nottingham Forest

Morgan Gibbs-White has been a regular for England through the younger age groups and was an integral part of the u-17 side that won the World Cup in 2017 and the victorious u-21 team at the 2023 European Championship.

Gibbs-White is still awaiting a senior chance despite two excellent seasons at Nottingham Forest, where the midfielder has proven he belongs in the Premier League after a frustrating spell at Wolves.

The 24-year-old has scored 10 goals and provided 18 assists across the last two top-flight seasons, with only Ollie Watkins (13) and Cole Palmer (11) creating more goals than Gibbs-White (10) in 2023-24.

The midfielder’s greatest obstacle to a place in the England squad is the competition ahead of him, with Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and James Maddison all competing for an advanced midfield position. He’s unlikely to be granted the same freedom he enjoys at the City Ground with the national team.

Curtis Jones – Liverpool

Curtis Jones earned his first call-up to the provisional England squad ahead of Euro 2024, though was cut from the final selection. Jones began last season with a strong run of form in the Liverpool midfield, though a combination of suspension and injury impacted his second half of the campaign.

Jones’ goal and assist numbers do not catch the eye, but the 23-year-old can retain possession under pressure.

The midfielder recorded a pass accuracy of 91.9% in the Premier League last season, ranking him in the top six percent of midfielders in the division. England have traditionally struggled to hold onto the ball against the elite nations and Jones, who was used in a deeper role as part of a two-man pivot under u-21 manager Lee Carsley, could aid that cause.

Harvey Elliott – Liverpool

Harvey Elliott is another who is pushing for a place in the senior England set-up, having proven he is a cut above u-21 level.

Elliott has scored eight goals in 20 appearances for the Young Lions and is the leading scorer among all nations in qualification for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Elliott’s challenge again is the calibre of the players in England’s forward line and those of similar style. Dislodging Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Jarrod Bowen as a left-footed attacker with a preference for the right or centre will be a difficult challenge.

Key to his chances will be becoming an important part of Arne Slot’s set-up at Liverpool after just 11 league starts under Jurgen Klopp in 2023-24.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Chelsea

Those backing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for England inclusion a year ago would have been granted funny looks, following Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League.

The 25-year-old has bounced back to become a potential wildcard for the Three Lions, after an outstanding campaign in the Championship. Dewsbury-Hall scored 12 goals and laid on 14 assists during Leicester’s second-tier title-winning campaign, form that earned the midfielder a £30m move to Chelsea.

Reunited with ex-Foxes boss Enzo Maresca in West London, Dewsbury-Hall now has a stage to prove he can cut it at international level.

Jacob Ramsey – Aston Villa

Jacob Ramsey’s rapid progress at Aston Villa was halted last season, as an injury sustained representing England at the u-21 European Championship kickstarted a campaign that began and ended with spells on the sidelines.

Ramsey has won Aston Villa’s Young Player of the Season award in consecutive campaigns, earning comparisons to Steven Gerrard for his midfield dynamism and ball-carrying. Gerrard, who coached Ramsey during his spell at Villa Park, was in no doubt the midfielder is capable of representing the Three Lions.

“I know the level of the England players, I’ve been around it, and have enough experience to know it’s only a matter of time,” the former England captain said in February 2022.

Ramsey will want to bounce back from a frustrating campaign and has attributes that appeal to England. A proposed move to Tottenham could see him shine in Ange Postecoglou’s youthful and adventurous side.

Archie Gray – Tottenham

Another member of Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs side, the North Londoners spent £40m to sign Archie Gray from Leeds United this summer.

The 18-year-old was named the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season in 2023-24 after his exciting emergence at Elland Road, with Gray billed as one of the most exciting young talents in English football.

The midfielder has been backed for England honours after already being capped at u-21 level, and Postecoglou has said the teenager does not want to be ‘eased in’ in the Premier League.

Discussing Gray and fellow 18-year-old arrival Lucas Bergvall, the Australian said: “They’re not here to ease their way in. They want to play and I think that’s great.

“They’ve brought a good energy to the group and no doubt there will be a couple more additions but I’m comfortable with where we’re at.”

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