Michael Lee
The 9 highest England goalscorers under Gareth Southgate
With the World Cup just two months away we've taken a look at England's most reliable goalscorers under Gareth Southgate.
England may have struggled for goals during June's Nations League matches but Southgate remains the most successful manager in the national team's history since Sir Alf Ramsey.
And, with a host of exciting young attacking talents coming through the ranks, England have been spoilt for choice when it comes to their forward options in recent years and competition for a place on the plane to Qatar is expected to be fierce.
With the World Cup fast approaching, we've taken a look through Southgate's six-year reign and identified his most prolific goalscorers.
9. Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 4 goals
With all the injury problems he's suffered over the past few years, it would appear unlikely that Calvert-Lewin will be named in England's World Cup squad.
This would be a crying shame; the Everton forward is a force of nature up front and Carlo Ancelotti, during the brief and mysterious time he spent in the Goodison Park hot seat, was a huge fan of what Calvert-Lewin offered.
His four goals for England have come in 11 appearances and don't bet against him starting for his country in the future
8. Ross Barkley - 4 goals
Barkley was a victim of Chelsea's 'stack 'em high' policy, arriving at Stamford Bridge in January 2018 and gradually slipping down the pecking order under a succession of managers.
Now at Nice, the midfielder last played for England in 2019 but his tally of four goals and three assists in 11 appearances under Southgate is enough for him to make this list.
7. Bukayo Saka - 4 goals
Saka captured the hearts of the nation at Euro 2020, putting in a string of fine performances before missing the crucial penalty against Italy in the final.
And the Arsenal forward has blossomed ever since, becoming an integral part of Mikel Arteta's revolution and nailing down a regular spot in Southgate's side - keeping out the likes of James Maddison.
Still just 21, Saka will be in contention to start England's opening World Cup match against Iran and his record of four goals and four assists under the current regime bodes well for his future prospects.
6. Mason Mount - 4 goals
While many people have said that Mount's England performances haven't matched his Chelsea output, he's become a mainstay of Southgate's England.
Either playing as a midfielder or wide forward, Mount has scored four goals for his country and is a dead-cert for the World Cup squad.
5. Jesse Lingard - 6 goals
The 2018 World Cup feels more like four decades ago than four years and one look at England's midfield during the tournament in Russia is enough to confirm our thesis.
Jordan Henderson has slowed and Dele Alli is fighting to save his career in Turkey, but the biggest surprise was the presence of Lingard. Then at Manchester United, the midfielder was good in Russia but has slipped away from contention ever since.
After a brief revival at West Ham, Lingard is currently warming the bench at Nottingham Forest and won't be going to Qatar. Still, six goals under Southgate is a fine effort for the Mancunian.
4. Harry Maguire - 7 goals
Well. We weren't expecting this.
Despite his struggles at Manchester United, Maguire has been a regular source of goals for England with his ability to get his head on the end of set-pieces.
The defender will be under scrutiny during the upcoming matches against Italy and Germany but Southgate has remained loyal to Maguire and it'd be a major surprise if he didn't start the World Cup as England's first-choice centre-back.
3. Marcus Rashford - 11 goals
Another player who has struggled for form at Old Trafford, Rashford hasn't played for England since his penalty miss in the Euro 2020 final.
While the striker faces a battle to get on the plane to Qatar, it's worth remembering that the 24-year-old has performed brilliantly for his country in the past as his record of 11 goals under Southgate would suggest.
2. Raheem Sterling - 17 goals
It's hard to remember that Sterling's place in the England XI was under severe questioning before Euro 2020 after falling out of favour at Manchester City.
But the 27-year-old scored three goals in the tournament, with his 17 in total reinforcing his status as Southgate's favourite wide forward, and will surely start the World Cup on the right side of England's attack.
1. Harry Kane - 45 goals
Forty-five goals in 56 appearances under Southgate; did you really expect anyone other than Kane to top this list?
He'll break England's goalscoring record in the near future and the hopes of a nation will rest upon his shoulders in November.
