Ever since the European Championships ended last summer, people have been putting together their own squads for this winter’s World Cup, and for the most part these squads have been made up of players who have already distinguished themselves in the national team. That said, there is often at least one player in a squad who can be described as a late “bolter”; someone who has never made an appearance in national team colours, but who gets their chance after a well-timed solid showing in club colours. With Gareth Southgate selecting his squad for the final international games before November, who’s in with a chance of being 2022’s great bolter?
Ivan Toney (Brentford)
Few England internationals start their career paths at Northampton Town, but for Toney, his early promise in a Cobblers shirt seems set to be fully realised in Qatar. So far uncapped, he’s been called up in the squad to face Italy and Germany in the Nations League; the latest step in a journey that has gone from Northampton through Newcastle – who must be regretting not giving him more of a chance – and multiple loan moves before a permanent stop in Peterborough. At Brentford, he’s remained as prolific as he was in the lower leagues and has shown he’s much more than just a target man. There’s every possibility he could light up the World Cup given half a chance. He’s odds-on to at least make the trip.
Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)
Time will tell whether Gallagher’s decision to stay and fight for a place at Chelsea was a wise move. He was exceptional last season on loan to Crystal Palace, and another loan move would have given him more playing time in which to impress Southgate and add to his four caps. Now, after missing out on the Nations League games, he’ll need to see plenty of playing time with the Blues and make the most of it. In that regard, he might well be one of the main beneficiaries of the sacking of Thomas Tuchel and his replacement with the more youth-oriented Graham Potter at Stamford Bridge. As things stand, he’s 13/8 to get to Qatar.
James Justin (Leicester)
In times to come, the injury-ravaged last two seasons might be what keeps Justin from travelling with England in November. He’s more than good enough to be in the squad, and offers a versatility that would be much-valued by Southgate in other circumstances. As things stand, though, he’s a longish 7/2 to make it because although the defender has been ever-present this season, he’s been ever-present for Leicester in what’s been a dismal campaign so far for the Foxes. Justin is as good as ever, but it’s hard to stand out as World Cup material when your team has just lost five in a row. A turnaround for Leicester could change everything in a hurry, though.
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