Predicting England's World Cup Squad

18. Ashley Young

England Under 21 manager Gareth Southgate during the squad announcement at St George's Park, Burton upon Trent.
Richard Sellers/PA Wire

Ashley Young is relatively new to the left back position, essentially reversing Gareth Bale’s development, moving from an attacking winger further up the pitch to a left wing back. Not only has this worked out well for Jose Mourinho, Gareth Southgate also likes how the former Aston Villa man works in this position.

If this list would have been produced just two years ago, Young would have found himself in line behind the likes of Danny Rose, Ryan Bertand, Kieran Gibbs, Leighton Baines, and just about every other left back in the country. But now, having re-invigorated his career in a new position, Young looks set to start for England as the Three Lions take the field against Tunisia in June.

Though it seems he has been around forever, Ashley Young is just 32 years old, finely balancing both youth and experience in a combination that will surely be too good for Southgate to leave out of his squad.

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