Manchester City ace leads the way in England's best qualifying XI

England's Euro 2020 qualifying drew to a close with a bang on Sunday night as they landed a 4-0 win in Kosovo. While they lost a first qualifying match since October 2009 when they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Czech Republic last month, it was a routine qualification for the Three Lions as they seek glory next summer. Here, we run through the WhoScored best England XI in qualifying of those to make three or more appearances. 

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford (6.99 rating) 

Largely in the XI by default having started seven of England's eight matches, with Nick Pope featuring in the aforementioned win over Kosovo, Jordan Pickford was reliable when called upon to return a WhoScored rating of 6.99. The Everton shotstopper was on hand to make 17 saves across his seven outings, keeping four clean sheets in the process. 

Right-back: Kieran Trippier (7.17 rating) 

Gareth Southgate used three right-backs in qualifying, with Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold each starting three times and Kyle Walker twice. Of those three used, it was Trippier who secured the best WhoScored rating for the Three Lions. Indeed, his 7.17 was better than Walker (6.98) and Alexander-Arnold (6.94) and while it's the latter who will likely be England's starting right-back going forward, Trippier can take solace from a solid qualifying campaign. 

Centre-back: Harry Maguire (7.22 rating) 

Having played every minute of qualification, it's fair to say Harry Maguire is one of the first name on Gareth Southgate's team sheet and that is expected to continue. Injury permitting, Maguire will feature at the heart of the England defence next summer and repaid the faith shown in him with a series of fine showings to return a WhoScored rating of 7.22. 

Centre-back: Michael Keane (6.95 rating) 

The conundrum facing Southgate is who partners Maguire at the back. Michael Keane started five of eight matches in qualifying, to return a respectable WhoScored rating of 6.95 as he was 22 aerial duels; no England player won more. However, he lost his spot in the XI following the 2-1 loss to Czech Republic and faces a tough test to reclaim his place with Tyrone Mings, John Stones and Fikayo Tomori all vying for a place in the XI. 

Left-back: Ben Chilwell (8.06 rating) 

Having drifted in an out of the starting XI at the beginning of qualifying, Ben Chilwell ended the campaign as undisputed starting left-back and for good reason too. The Leicester man's most memorable performance came in England's 7-0 win over Montenegro last week, where he provided three assists, which contributed to an average WhoScored rating of 8.06. 

Central midfield: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (7.36 rating) 

Gareth Southgate has ample midfield options, but it wasn't until the end of the qualifying campaign that he could really utilise Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Liverpool midfielder has impressed upon his return to fitness and having started wins over Montenegro and Kosovo over the last few days, you get the impression he will retain his place in the XI if he can steer clear of injury. 

Central midfield: Harry Winks (7.66 rating) 

He may not be in the immediate starting XI for Tottenham, but Harry Winks remains a key man under Southgate and showed why he is a regular feature in the England squads with a WhoScored rating of 7.66 from his three outings. An average of 98 passes per game was more than any other Three Lions player and it wouldn't be a huge shock to see him start against the so-called lesser nations that England can dominate. 

Central midfield: Ross Barkley (7.99 rating) 

Injury kept Ross Barkley out of the national team for meetings with Montenegro and Kosovo, but the Chelsea man proved his worth from his six previous outings. Only Harry Kane (14) created more goalscoring chances than Barkley (12) of all England players in qualifying and it helped the 25-year-old land a fine WhoScored rating of 7.99. 

Right wing: Raheem Sterling (8.93 rating) 

England's top rated player from qualifying with a WhoScored rating of 8.93, Raheem Sterling was exceptional for the Three Lions to book their spot at Euro 2020. The Manchester City star scored eight times and provided six assists for England, the latter more than any other player for Southgate's side, and won three WhoScored man of the match awards, which bodes well for England. 

Striker: Harry Kane (8.82 rating) 

In netting in England's 4-0 win over Kosovo, Harry Kane became the first player to ever score in every European Championship qualifying match. The Tottenham star bagged 12 goals in all and having registered an additional five assists, the England captain had a direct hand in 45.9% of the 37 goals England netted to help gain a fine WhoScored rating of 8.82. 

Left wing: Marcus Rashford (7.78 rating) 

Rounding off the top performing England XI, Marcus Rashford may have only started three of England's eight matches, but the Manchester United man still hit the back of the net three times in qualifying. Rashford has stiff competition for a starting spot from Jadon Sancho, but can at least draw on a campaign that saw him gain a WhoScored rating of 7.78.