England's centre-midfield options - ranked

Few international teams can rival England for strength in depth.

From front to back, Gareth Southgate is blessed with a ludicrous amount of different options, with each squad announcement invariably greeted with shrieks of: "WHY ISN'T X PLAYER INCLUDED YOU PIZZA HUT ADVERT CLOWN!!!!!"

Central midfield is no different. Southgate has often been criticised for keeping it safe in the middle of the park but he has shown glimpses of more invention in recent times.

Here is where England's top midfield options sit in the pecking order.

10. Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Having fallen out of favour at Chelsea, Loftus-Cheek followed the path of Fikayo Tomori, Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic in making the switch to Milan.

The 27-year-old has caught the eye with some dominant performances in the centre of the park since he did, and could attract interest from Southgate - providing he puts his Serie A blindspot to one side - as he looks to add to his England caps.

9. Curtis Jones

Having thrived under Jurgen Klopp last season, Jones was technically the Under-21 Euros-winning goalscorer in last summer's final. While he knew little about it as the ball cannoned off his back, the Liverpool man was still a key part of the team's success at the tournament.

Jones' intensity made him a crucial addition to the Reds' midfield last season and, despite some injuries, the 22-year-old is flourishing at Anfield.

He will be on the radar for Euro 2024, no doubt about that.

8. James Ward-Prowse

Ward-Prowse has been on the periphery of England's squad for some time, despite being a more obvious inclusion in the team than some of his fellow countrymen.

The former Southampton skipper's impressive showings with West Ham haven't entirely endeared him to Southgate, but his work ethic and set-piece delivery make him a useful addition in any squad.

7. Kalvin Phillips

Kalvin Phillips, in many ways, has no business being in the England squad. He featured so little for Manchester City that it seemed odd for Southgate to continually pick him.

A loan spell at West Ham is viewed as the perfect way for Phillips to find some form by playing regular football, but he has plenty to prove if he's to dislodge some other, more established players.

6. Kobbie Mainoo

The ascendency of Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has been quite something.

Already a regular starter for Erik ten Hag, Mainoo was fast-tracked into England's senior squad for the March international friendlies, perhaps in an effort to dissuade him from representing Ghana at major tournaments.

It may take a while for him to get a regular gig for the Three Lions, but the talent is undeniably there.

5. Jordan Henderson

Having burned a number of bridges by heading to Saudi Arabia, Henderson's ongoing inclusion in England squads has generated plenty of controversy.

The former Liverpool skipper decided to prematurely end his Middle Eastern adventure to link up with Ajax, seemingly in the hope of prolonging his international career.

Henderson has settled well in Amsterdam, but the quality of the Eredivisie is another big question mark for many.

4. Conor Gallagher

After a summer of speculation linking him away from Stamford Bridge, Conor Gallagher is finally coming into his own in a Chelsea shirt.

Lining up with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in midfield, the 23-year-old has been much improved since Mauricio Pochettino's arrival in west London.

Selected for November's England squad, Gallagher seems to have won over Southgate by proving he can play a myriad of central roles.

3. Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold's England resurgence has come courtesy of a shift into midfield - a role he's looked very comfortable playing while donning the famous #10 shirt.

Known for his superb passing range and overall quality on the ball, he could be a difference maker for the Three Lions at major tournaments if he can prove to be just as reliable when out of possession.

2. Declan Rice

Rice seems to be the only central midfielder who doesn't divide opinion in an England shirt. He's the best the Three Lions have and he's guaranteed to start every game.

That was certainly the case during his West Ham days and it's even more true now he is flourishing at Arsenal.

With such a dominant defensive midfielder, who is also capable of playing in a number eight role, England can afford to be a little more offensive-minded than they have been in recent times.

1. Jude Bellingham

Not only is Jude Bellingham's best attacking midfielder, he's undisputedly their best central midfielder too, possessing all the tools to do, well, absolutely everything.

England's challenge now is to raise their standards for a player who must surely be in with a chance of winning multiple Ballons d'Or if his current trajectory continues.

READ MORE ON ENGLAND'S SQUAD OPTIONS AHEAD OF EURO 2024