🚨West ham chief David Sullivan Slams Everton in a brutal Statement Over £45M Thierno Barry Deal as Cavert-lewin Replacement

He did not, of course, get to experience success on the international stage in that time, and the former Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton and West Brom midfielder, as many have before him, admitted there was a divide in the England camp that did not help.

“There were big games, Liverpool v Chelsea, Liverpool v Manchester United… for me, you could feel [a divide],” he admitted. “You could feel the lads sticking together with their club-mates. That just isn’t the recipe for success at international level.”

But with just one month until the 2026 World Cup, Barry says the current England set-up should not fear anyone despite the likes of France, Spain and Portugal also boasting talented squads.

On Monday (May 11), England must submit a provisional release list to FIFA containing up to 55 players.

And although this list is not made public, it’s safe to say certain names – such as Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford and Declan Rice – will be on it.

But several positions will no doubt still be up for grabs in the 26-man squad ahead of the Three Lions’ journey to North America.

Central midfield and the No.10 role are particular areas of debate among fans and pundits, with Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers all vying for the same position – and Morgan Gibbs-White, James Maddison and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall lower down the pecking order.

Of course, between now and then, any one of the aforementioned players could lose form or sustain an injury, which may create opportunities for those on the periphery of Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

When asked who else could nab themselves an unlikely spot in the squad, Barry was quick to praise Everton midfielder James Garner, who has shone since David Moyes’ arrival on Merseyside in January 2025, although he suggested it may be a straight shoot-out between Anderson and the Toffees man.

Barry said: “Yeah, I think being in a 26-man squad gives James Garner that bit more chance, if you like. In terms of the way they play, there aren’t too many dissimilar styles, but I just think Anderson has the edge. He’ll have just the fact that he’s been trusted in the qualifiers and he’s played more games.

“And, you know, he seems to have won Tuchel over a bit more. But for Garner, he’s obviously impressed in an England shirt now. He’s shown he can do it at that level in that one game.

“If he finishes the season strongly, he’s definitely in the conversation to be on the plane. So yeah, for me, just keep your head down if you’re James Garner and finish the season strongly you’ve got a good chance. But there are, I should say, a big pool of players there who are looking for that opportunity as well.”