Rashford and Saka start while Newcastle star earns call-up to England team on form

Matching the previous winners and 2022 finalists was no mean feat, and things could have ended very differently.

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After a previous four games which raised hope of perhaps achieving the ultimate glory in Qatar, there wasn't too much to be disappointed about, with England's future looking incredibly bright.

Various youngsters shone on the biggest stage, making it clear that there's no sign of any sort of 'Golden Generation' peak, with arguably the best yet to come.

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Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden are already the envy of every country in the world, and are only just getting started.

However, since the tournament ended in December, much has changed.

A number of Gareth Southgate's favourites have failed to use the World Cup as a boost, with many of them even struggling before.

That makes things complicated for the manager, who appears to now be at a point of transition as England approach the 2024 European Championships in Germany.

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Far from simple qualifiers await the Three Lions against Italy and Ukraine at the end of March, and the revolution may have to begin at the next possible opportunity.

Regulars under Southgate such as Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson have struggled back at their club teams, and there seems to be little reason to persist as the effects of age and confidence show no sign of relenting.

That means Southgate will now have to look at form as well as the future, which is easier in some places than others.

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Upfront, the task is as simple as it gets. Only Erling Haaland has more Premier League goals and assists than England captain Harry Kane, and approaching them are Saka and Marcus Rashford.

Manchester United's Rashford came alive in Qatar, and under Erik ten Hag, things have only gone better.

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Since the World Cup the 25-year-old forward has 18 goals in all competitions, and with Saka running the show from the right side for Arsenal, England have a frankly terrifying front three.

Behind them things get slightly more complicated, with it looking like time to move on from Henderson.

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The 32-year-old has been regularly benched by Jurgen Klopp, while West Ham's Declan Rice has also struggled since the World Cup with his side in a relegation scrap.

Thankfully, Bellingham continues to show he's one of the game's best young players while regularly captaining Borussia Dortmund at 19 years of age, and there's options elsewhere.

James Maddison appears to be far and away the best player in the bottom half of the Premier League, and like Bellingham, could well be set for a summer move.

His nine goals and five league assists for the Foxes have demonstrated what a team needs, with set-piece heroics, solo skills, finishing with either foot from almost anywhere, and captain-style performances to boot.

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Despite some struggles this season, Phil Foden is in the same category as Bellingham and Saka, and has recently burst back into the Manchester City line-up offering Southgate the perfect solution to round off his three man midfield.

In defence things aren't so simple. Maguire, a regular under Southgate, has started just five games for Manchester United since the World Cup, and is clearly now a back-up option for Ten Hag.

Similarly, things haven't been easy for his usual partner at international level, John Stones, with the Manchester City centre back coming off a recent hamstring injury and potentially losing out to Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji at club level.

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He did return against Crystal Palace last time out, but when it comes to form, there are some interesting options for Southgate.

Once-capped defender Lewis Dunk has made a strong case with his Brighton side flying, and his manager Roberto De Zerbi thinks it's a no-brainer for him to be involved.

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Meanwhile, former Man United regular Chris Smalling has mastered Jose Mourinho football at Roma, and been key to the Italian sides miserly defence.

Smalling has played 35 out of 37 games for a Roma side who are impressing in the league and in Europe, and he recently went on a four-game clean sheet streak.

At 33, Smalling certainly isn't one for the future, much like Dunk, but Southgate may have to pick on form with Italy and Ukraine no pushovers.

Ben White's early exit from Qatar suggests things aren't happy there, while other younger defensive options with big hopes, such as Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi, aren't having the best of seasons.

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Thankfully for Southgate, things at full-back look far more healthy, with Luke Shaw continuing his Qatar form, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka's revival will be welcome.

However, when it comes to defensive solidity, the manager only needs to look at Newcastle, with Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn a key part of the Premier League's best defence.

The duo have only conceded 18 goals in 25 games, seven fewer than any other side, and offer the perfect combo to slot straight in.

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In goal, another stalwart is at risk, with Jordan Pickford's Everton a relegation-threatened side.

But even without that, it will be incredibly difficult to ignore Aaron Ramsdale, whose recent match-winning display against Bournemouth shows that when it comes to form, the Arsenal No.1 is making his case.

There's honourable mentions for Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney upfront, who may well force their way into any other front three in the world, but looking at the below XI, Southgate has a solid base to build upon for the next stage of England's evolution.

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