England are home from the World Cup with several players having enhanced their reputations. Here’s how we rated the London contingent for their showing in Russia.
Kieran Trippier: 9
Perhaps England’s least known player just a few weeks ago, the ‘Bury Beckham’ has made his name on the biggest stage of all. His superlative corners made England the tournament’s premier dead-ball threat, his energy levels rarely dipped and became only the third Englishman to score in a World Cup semi-final when he stroked home the opening goal against Croatia. A surprise package he may have been to the general public, but his performances for Tottenham mean their fans certainly won’t have been surprised by how well he performed.
Dele Alli: 6
Missed two games through injury and never quite seemed to be fully sharp thereafter. Boss Garethn Southgate was eager for the Tottenham man to arrive in the box and wreak havoc, as he did late on against Sweden, but he was too often caught up doing more prosaic midfield work.
Harry Kane: 8
Six goals in six games to win the Golden Boot but, truthfully, fell short of his incredibly high standards in the knockout stage. Ruthless with his three penalties, and during the shootout win over Colombia, and set up the good vibes by sniping an injury-time winner against Tunisia. A more withdrawn presence at the business end of the tournament and seemed tired by the end.
Danny Rose: 5
Turned in some lively performances off the bench but did not impress in either of his starts, letting Thomas Meunier get away from him in the third-place play-off. His lack of game time at Spurs perhaps told.
Gary Cahill: 6
The Chelsea captain accepted a role as experienced bench-warmer but came out in credit when asked to perform against Belgium, clearing off his line and helping guide a much-changed team. May be heading into the international wilderness though.
Eric Dier: 6
Etched his name in history as the man who finally ended England’s penalty jinx but the Spurs man struggled to perform his defensive duties when arriving late in games. Almost scored with a delicate chip in the third-place play-off.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: 6
Bright as a button during a second-half cameo against Tunisia, his three starts were more than the Chelsea midfielder must have expected at the outset. Saw his shot deflected in off Kane’s heel in the Panama game.
Danny Welbeck: 5
The Arsenal man was simply not required. Handed 11 minutes as a courtesy in the final group game, and got a decent shot away.