Southgate faces a decision for the number one shirt

As Gareth Southgate’s squad announcement draws ever nearer, it has become clearer that he has a huge decision to make in terms of who he gives the number one shirt to.

England certainly aren’t short of goalkeepers with the likes of Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale the likely three to be on the plane to Qatar who starts is not an easy decision to make for Southgate.

Arsenal goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale, is performing very well in an Arsenal team that is top of the Premier League. The 24 year old is also part of the joint best defence in the league conceding only 11 goals this season.

Nick Pope has starred in an over-performing Newcastle team that currently sit third in the league. He is joint with Ramsdale in conceding only 11 goals this season, but perhaps his ability to save penalties is worth a place in the starting 11 alone.

Ex Sunderland keeper and Sunderland fan, Jordan Pickford, is the ever reliable pair of hands in Southgate’s national side. He has been the number one in the last two major tournaments in which England have reached the semi final and final respectively. He, like Pope, is also a great penalty stopper thus making Southgate’s decision that much harder.

Southgate’s squad will be announced at 2pm today.