319: Mark Noble, West Ham United, Topps Match Attax Trading Card Game, 2009/10

Once again we are in the hands of statistical head of selectors Mat Jolin-Beech as he attempts to piece together an alternative England squad of players yet to represent the Three Lions. As a caveat Mat put this team together way back in early May so if any of the players listed below have subsequently helped bring football home/crashed out in the group stages we can only apologise. Over to Mat.

Following on from the blog dedicated to Kevin Campbell, I am dusting off the unique ASW500 ranking algorithm to work out who is the current best uncapped England XI. As a jumping off point, a quick Google threw up Mark Noble, Mr West Ham himself, as one of the best uncapped players. Others included Kevin Campbell, Steve Bruce, and Kevin Nolan. Is Mark Noble a surprise? Yes. He probably should have got at least one cap bearing in mind jay Bothroyd did.

Some ground rules: Formation will be 4-3-3, as favoured by Gareth Southgate in recent games. They must be current active players, and eligible for England. Defenders will be looking at the key stats of tackles and clearances, with assists being taken into account for fullbacks. Midfielders will be assessed on pass completion percentage, number of passes, assists and goals. Attackers will be based purely on goals scored and assists. Now, let’s delve into the ASW500 rated best uncapped XI.

Goalkeeper

This was close between two relegated keepers. The loser, as he has been for many games this season was Aaron Ramsdale. He makes only 3.8 saves per game. The victor is Sam Johnstone, who has been in some recent squads and is a longshot for the 2020 Euro squad – but likely to miss out to Henderson, Pickford and Pope.

Sam Johnstone, West Bromwich Albuon, 28-years-old – ASW500 score: 6.5

Left Back

The younger Leicester man grabs the no.3 shirt. It’s close with Targett but Justin’s better tackling gets him the nod here.

James Justin, Leicester City, 23-years-old – ASW500 score: 7.2

Tackles per 90: 2.6; Clearances per 90: 1.9; Assists: 1

Matt Targett, Aston Villa, 25-years-old – ASW500 score: 7.1

Tackles per 90: 2.3; Clearances per 90: 2.2; Assists: 1

Right Back

The Man United man edges out his Saints counterpart. It came a surprise that neither has an England cap to their names but is a sign of just how well stocked the Three Lions are at right back. The greater numbers of assists and higher clearances per 90 sees him get onto the team sheet.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Manchester United, 24-years-old – ASW500 score: 7.4

Tackles per 90: 2.7; Clearances per 90: 1.9; Assists: 4

Kyle Walker-Peters, Southampton, 24-years-old – ASW500 score: 7

Tackles per 90: 3; Clearances per 90: 1; Assists: 1

Centre Backs

Experience counts at centre back. The veteran Chris Basham is the obvious stats-based choice for an uncapped XI despite his team’s appalling season this year. Alongside him at the heart of the defence is Everton’s Holgate – with decent defensive stats. Isaac Hayden is the closest contender, but falls short.

Chris Basham, Sheffield United, 32-years-old – ASW500 score: 6.4

Tackles per 90: 2.4; Clearances per 90: 3.3; Assists: 1

Mason Holgate, Everton, 24-years-old – ASW500 score: 6

Tackles per 90: 2.2; Clearances per 90: 3.2; Assists: 0

Isaac Hayden, Newcastle United, 26-years-old – ASW500 score: 5.7

Tackles per 90: 2.2; Clearances per 90: 1.9; Assists: 0

Midfielders

Michail Antonio leads the midfield trio, with the highest number of goals and a decent assist contribution. He gains extra points for rejecting Jamaica in the hope of a Three Lions call up. He’s joined with Solly March from the south coast, who is still awaiting a call up to the senior squad. Burnley’s Dwight McNeil edges out teammate Josh Brownhill because of his greater attacking output. Ademola Lookman would have been first choice due to his superior stats, but shunning England sees him shunned here.

Michail Antonio, West Ham United, 31-years-old – ASW500 score: 8.3

Passes per 90: 16.9; Pass completion percentage: 66%; Assists: 5; Goals: 9

Solly March, Brighton and Hove Albion, 26-years-old – ASW500 score: 7.8

Passes per 90: 34; Pass completion percentage: 76; Assists: 1; Goals: 3

Dwight McNeil, Burnley, 21-years-old – ASW500 score: 7.2

Passes per 90: 30; Pass completion percentage: 79; Assists: 2; Goals: 5

Josh Brownhill, Burnley, 25-years-old – ASW500 score: 6.9

Passes per 90: 35.6; Pass completion percentage: 78.5; Assists: 1; Goals: 1

Ademola Lookman, Fulham, 23-years-old – ASW500 score: 8.6

(Awaiting FIFA clearance to change national allegiance to Nigeria)

Passes per 90: 31.9; Pass completion percentage: 81.3; Assists: 4; Goals: 4

Forwards

The Montpellier man Stephy Mavididi leads the line, bagging nine goals so far this season in France. The fact he left Arsenal to go to Juventus before heading to France sees him win favour with me here. The “budget Arjen Robben” Jarrod Bowen grabs the second attacking shirt in my stats-based uncapped XI. His goals and assists secure his shirt. It’s a tough call between Arsenal youngsters Emile Smith-Rowe and Eddie Nketiah, but the former’s greater contribution in terms of assists means he gets the nod. On the reserve list, and perhaps a sign of the dearth of attacking talent England has in terms of uncapped players, is Billy Sharp. An honest, tireless worker of a striker he was actually the leading English born goal scorer in English professional football during the 21st century so far on 1 January 2019. If I were Sven-Göran Eriksson, he’d probably get a cap!

Stephy Mavididi, Montpellier, 22-years-old – ASW500 score: 9

Goals: 9; Assists: 0

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, 24-years-old – ASW500 score: 8.7

Goals: 8; Assists: 5

Emile Smith-Rowe, Arsenal, 20-years-old – ASW500 score: 7.2

Goals: 3; Assists: 7

Eddie Nketiah, Arsenal, 20-years-old – ASW500 score: 7.2

Goals: 6; Assists: 1

Billy Sharp, Sheffield United, 35-years-old – ASW500 score: 5.8

Goals: 5; Assists: 0