Who's on the Plane? England Euros squad power rankings - December 2020

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.

No, not Christmas. England squad power rankings day!

With six months to go (pandemic permitting etc etc) competition for places in Gareth Southgate's squad is hotting up.

Here are the form 23 England stars for the summer's squad if picked today, ranked by how secure their seat on the plane to wherever the tournament ends up taking place.

23. Dean Henderson (Down 5)

December hasn't been especially kind to Dean Henderson.

England's number three has played just twice and made a howler against his old club Sheffield United.

He needs regular game time with Sam Johnstone in decent form. No keeper has made more saves than the West Brom man (62) and Big Sam has just arrived...

22. Curtis Jones (New Entry)

A little premature perhaps but how many English midfielders are playing with more confidence right now than Curtis Jones?

Not many.

The 19-year-old Scouser was described as a cross between Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana by Danny Murphy. It's high, high praise. Too high probably but he's good nonetheless.

21. Tyrone Mings (-)

England's largest defender (probably) is having a great season.

Only City have conceded fewer Premier League goals than Villa's 13, while Mings has also popped up with two goals so far in 2020/21.

He's a non-mover from last month.

20. Bukayo Saka (New Entry)

Just about the only positive thing about Arsenal right now is Bukayo Saka.

The fact that he can feature in multiple positions bodes well for him plane-wise, though Hoffenheim's Ryan Sessegnon is also impressing in similar roles, as is Leicester's James Justin...

19. Nick Pope (-)

One month on, Burnley are still in trouble but Pope is still good.

It'll take some papal infallibility to get the number one jersey off Jordan Pickford but he's going to the Euros.

18. John Stones (New Entry)

Look who's back!

He's not played for England since 2019 but John Stones is back with a vengeance, proving all it takes for a player to sort out their form is a transfer link with Arsenal.

The former Everton man has been part of a near-impenetrable City backline of late, even keeping not-quite-world-class Aymeric Laporte out of the team.

17. Danny Ings (New Entry)

Danny Ings! DINGS! DINGSY!

He's back and as good as ever.

Get him, Che Adams and Theo Walcott on that plane! What's that? There's not enough space, you say? OK, well just Ings then.

16. Reece James (Down 1)

England have too many right backs, that much we know.

Reece James has been the best of them so far this season, however.

Fasten your seat belt.

15. Eric Dier (Up 1)

Tottenham were brilliant and now they aren't again.

There are plenty of twists and turns left in this season and Eric Dier continues to be pretty decent as a centre back.

You can't not take one Jose Mourinho-coached defender, can you?

14. Jadon Sancho (Down 7)

It's been an awkward season so far for Sancho, who is yet to score in the Bundesliga or Champions League for Dortmund in 2020/21.

With this rare abundance of attacking talent at England's disposal, Sancho will need to be careful.

13. Kyle Walker (Down 3)

Kyle Walker is going to be there. Southgate is absolutely going to take a minimum of three right backs.

Get used to it.

12. Jordan Pickford (-)

See last month's entry.

11. Mason Mount (-)

We all know how Southgate feels about Mason Mount, but the last month has gone some way to making us all feel the same way.

The 21-year-old was particularly impressive in the win over Leeds and is outshining several of Chelsea's big money summer arrivals.

10. Jack Grealish (Up 4)

A cut above his Villa teammates, Jack Grealish is at times absolutely unplayable and the sort of footballer that England fans just love (...to burden with unrealistic expectations pre-tournament).

It took him a while to make his mark with Southgate, but he is plane-bound now if he keeps it up.

9. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Up 4)

The goals have eased off a little - DCL has just one in December so far. However, he remains as important to Everton as ever and is still the joint second-top scorer in the Premier League at Christmas with 11.

Everton's last English player to hit 20+ in a league season? Gary Lineker.

8. Declan Rice (-)

A non-mover from November, Rice remains one of very few with eligibility to play for England who can do what he does.

7. Raheem Sterling (Down 3)

Scored the winner in the victory over Southampton, Sterling hasn't been at his scintillating best in 2020/21 but then again who has? Well, Calvert-Lewin obviously but who else? Don't answer that. Sterling is fine and he's about as safe in his seat on the plane as it's possible to be.

6. Trent Alexander-Arnold (Up 3)

More right backs, is it?

Well, I'm not leaving out England's best crosser since David Beckham.

5. Marcus Rashford (-)

It's been a good month for Dr Marcus Rashford MBE in which he has scored four times, helped United (somehow) become Liverpool's closest thing to a title rival, won a special award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year and continued his campaign against child poverty in the UK.

In terms of things to be positive about in this God awful year, Rashford is right up there.

4. Harry Maguire (-)

Another non-mover.

Yes, he's large and awkward but he is a pretty good defender and a leader, most of the time.

In terms of England centre backs that is gold dust.

3. Ben Chilwell (Up 3)

In world where everyone grows up wanting to be Gary Neville (suddenly), Ben Chilwell has decided to play left back.

Thank you, Ben Chilwell.

2. Jordan Henderson (-)

Sports Personality of the Year runner-up is also runner-up in this England squad spot on the plane power rankings.

I think we all know which one is more important.

1. Harry Kane (-)

One month on and Kane is still top.

The England captain has been playing some of his best football yet under Mourinho this season.

Regardless of whether Spurs' recent blip lasts, Kane will be the first name on the teamsheet come 13 June and the opening group game with Croatia.

Don't get injured. Don't get injured. Don't get injured.