Stats-based England includes two players not in squad, with no room for regulars

Whenever an England squad gets announced, someone at the back of the room always shouts, 'Pick the team on form, for crying out loud!'

The inclusion of Harry Maguire in Gareth Southgate's most recent Three Lions squad would have had that figurative person frothing at the mouth.

However, in a rather confusing turn of events, Maguire's Manchester United teammates Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were left out due to sub-par form.

Of course, the selection process requires nuance: a consideration of past exploits for England and varying levels of competition in each position.

But if Southgate was to seek a totally objective method for his decision-making process, what exactly would that look like?

The people over at WhoScored.com give every player across the top domestic leagues a stat-based score, marked out of ten, designed to provide a well-rounded indicator of performance throughout a season.

Based on the 2021/22 scores so far, here are the standout English players in each position…

Goalkeeper – Aaron Ramsdale (6.86)

Eyebrows were raised when Arsenal signed Ramsdale for £30million last summer, but the doubters were quickly proven wrong.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has proved a tough man to oust as England No. 1 during Southgate's tenure, but with stellar distribution to go with his shot-stopping prowess, could Ramsdale be the man to do it?

Right-back – Trent Alexander-Arnold (7.57)

Alexander-Arnold is the highest-performing English player this season, according to stats, but his place is only guaranteed as a result of other notable absentees.

Reece James and Kieran Trippier are both injured, while Kyle Walker is being given a break from England duty by Southgate, and all have been preferred over Liverpool's star right-back in the past.

Perhaps this international break could be a chance for Alexander-Arnold to win the Three Lions boss over.

Centre-back – Trevoh Chalobah (7.01)

There is a school of thought suggesting England's least competition for places is in the centre of defence, given their absurd strength in depth everywhere else.

But the fact that the two highest-performing centre-backs, according to the stats, aren't even in the current squad, gives the lie to that.

Marc Guehi earned his first call-up, but there's still no place for his former Chelsea teammate Chalobah, who has emerged as a regular starter for the European champions this season and just got nominated for the March Player of the Month award.

Centre-back – James Tarkowski (7.01)

The other man out-performing all of the centre-backs in the current England squad is Burnley's Tarkowski.

However, unlike Chalobah, Tarkowski's omission makes more sense due to a total disconnect between the styles of the Clarets and the Three Lions.

Left-back – Kyle Walker-Peters (6.96)

Southgate loves versatility, turning heads by picking Trippier at left-back for the opening match of Euro 2020, and he may be tempted to make a similar call for England's upcoming fixtures.

Walker-Peters, traditionally a right-back, has become a competent left-back at Southampton when needed.

And his form this season suggests a debut could soon be on the cards, having earned his first call-up.

Midfield – Conor Gallagher (7.26)

Crystal Palace got a lot of love in the latest squad, with Tyrick Mitchell also getting a debut call-up.

But Gallagher is representing his country for the second time, showing that his inclusion is more than just an experiment.

His outstanding form at Selhurst Park will have the Chelsea loanee at the forefront of Thomas Tuchel's mind, as well as Southgate's, ahead of next season.

Midfield – Declan Rice (7.13)

Reports in recent days suggest West Ham have slapped a £150million price tag on Rice's head amid interest from Manchester United.

One thing's for sure, the Hammers star is worth a great deal to England.

Rice's position as one of the first names on Southgate's team sheet will only be strengthened by another stellar campaign at the London Stadium.

Midfield – Jude Bellingham (7.18)

With five goals and eight assists in all competitions for Borussia Dortmund this season, the 18-year-old continues to go from strength to strength.

It is no secret that Southgate wraps his teenage players in cotton wool, which is why Bellingham was not called up for the last set of international fixtures.

But putting all those factors to one side, the midfielder starts on form.

Forward – Jack Grealish (7.14)

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has maintained that Grealish is performing well despite questions over his form following a record-breaking £100m transfer last summer.

Despite just two goals and two assists in the Premier League for City, his overall game would appear to prove Guardiola right.

Grealish ranks above the likes of Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka on WhoScored, although it is worth pointing out the injured Jarrod Bowen scores higher than all four.

Forward – Phil Foden (7.26)

Of all England's talented wingers, Foden has been the highest performer this season, according to the stats.

The 21-year-old has developed as an increasingly versatile player this season, thriving as a 'false nine' on numerous occasions for Guardiola's champions, a position where Grealish has struggled.

Forward – Harry Kane (7.34)

Even though Tammy Abraham has been in outstanding form at Roma and Ivan Toney is impressing at Brentford, Kane remains England's most in-form striker.

An alarming start to the season has well and truly been shaken off by the Tottenham forward, who has since returned to his prolific best.

As both a creator and a goalscorer, there are few better than Kane in the world right now – and that's reflected in his rating.

How England should look, according to stats