The Everton Players Heading to the World Cup

The World Cup is just around the corner, and Everton will be represented at the tournament. 

Perhaps an indication of where the Toffees are at the moment, there are only a handful of Everton players who will be heading to America to take part. 

In this article, we'll go through all of them, and see where Everton rank among Premier League clubs in terms of the number of players representing their countries. 

One of the first names on the team sheet for England, and not just because managers will usually write the goalkeeper first. 

Pickford has been a mainstay in the England squad for many years now, and that's not expected to change under Thomas Tuchel in the next few weeks. 

England have been close to lifting silverware over the last few tournaments, with Pickford regularly playing a crucial role in getting his country so far. The Everton goalkeeper will be hoping to finally get his gloves on a trophy, as it's looking unlikely that he's going to do so with the Toffees any time soon. 

After recent reports emerged that Iliman Ndiaye has rejected contract offers from Everton, he could be putting himself in the shop window this summer. 

The tricky winger has made 39 caps for his country, and he started their latest friendly at the end of May. 

Senegal have a squad filled with plenty of talent, including one of Ndiaye's Everton team-mates, and they'll be facing France, Iraq, and Norway in the group stage. 

After a difficult end to the season for his club, Ndiaye will be hoping for some success at international level.

Another Senegal international, and one of the oldest players heading to the tournament at the age of 36. 

Gueye is out of contract at Everton this summer, so it's an opportunity for him to earn himself a move if he opts against signing a new deal at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. 

Gueye may no longer be a guaranteed starter with Senegal, partly due to his age. The Everton midfielder is also in competition with the likes of Lamine Camara, Pape Gueye, Habib Diarra, and Pape Matar Sarr for a role in the XI. 

It's likely to be Gueye's final World Cup tournament, unless he fancies playing into his fourties.

Perhaps the biggest surprise in terms of Everton call-ups. Nathan Patterson has struggled to break into the Everton side over the last few years, but after an injury-free run, he's now been named in the Scotland squad.

The 24-year-old has made 26 appearances for his country so far, and he played 45 minutes against Curacao in Scotland's last friendly. 

Patterson might not be a guaranteed starter at the upcoming tournament, competing with both Anthony Ralston and Aaron Hickey. 

The Everton right-back's future is in doubt after a difficult few years, and it could be an opportunity for him to earn himself a move. 

With just four Everton players heading to the World Cup, there a host of Premier League clubs with bigger representation at the tournament. 

As expected, Manchester City and Arsenal lead the way with 19 and 16 players respectively. Unfortunately, as you will have worked out, Everton are nowhere near that. 

In fact, no side has a lower representation at the World Cup than Everton (4). 

Brentford, Everton, Leeds, and West Ham all have four players at the tournament, but there is no side in the Premier League with fewer. 

One of the main reasons is Everton's squad is filled with English players either on the fringes - Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and James Garner - or those whose England days are behind them - Jack Grealish, James Tarkowski, and Michael Keane.