The England players helped by summer transfers ahead of World Cup

James Shearman

Updated: 15 Sept 2022 17:02 BST
3 min read

Gareth Southgate announced a 28-man England squad on Friday for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.

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Ivan Toney received a first call-up, while Eric Dier returned to the squad after a lengthy absence.

And Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Jack Grealish are all fortunate to make the cut having performed poorly in the 2022-23 season so far.

England face Italy at the San Siro and Germany at Wembley as they look to avoid an embarrassing relegation from their group.

The Three Lions are currently on a run of four games without victory, including home and away defeats to Hungary.

The international break also provides Southgate with the last chance to look at the group of players before the World Cup begins in November.

The England players helped by summer transfers

Southgate named five players in the squad that moved clubs in the recent transfer window; Dean Henderson, Nick Pope, Conor Coady, Kalvin Phillips and Raheem Sterling.

Phillips only remains in the squad due to the lack of depth in central midfield, because he's been on the bench for most of Manchester City's matches.

But the other four players have benefited greatly from their summer transfers.

Gareth Southgate has named a 28-man squad for our #ThreeLions' upcoming games against Italy and Germany:
— England (@England) September 15, 2022

Dean Henderson spent the majority of last season backing up David de Gea at Manchester United, but has recently nailed down a starting place at Nottingham Forest.

The 25-year-old has conceded 14 Premier League goals in just six games, though his two penalty saves have caught the eye.

Nick Pope left Burnley for Eddie Howe's Newcastle on a free transfer at the end of last season.

He has already managed three clean sheets as he enjoys playing for a more dominant team than The Clarets.

Conor Coady was a regular in the Wolves side, playing over 3,000 minutes in each of the last four Premier League campaigns, but his time at The Molineux came to an end this summer.

He has since moved to Frank Lampard's Everton, where he has formed a solid partnership with fellow Englishman James Tarkowski.

And one of England's star men Raheem Sterling also switched teams in the window, leaving champions Manchester City for Chelsea.

Sterling is guaranteed gametime at Stamford Bridge, starting all six of the Blues' league games - registering three goals and an assist.