Everton defender Conor Coady admits the upcoming World Cup is dominating conversations at the club.
The England centre-back is one of several Toffees stars eyeing a seat on the plane to Qatar 2022, which begins next month.
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate is expected to name his 26-man squad on November 10 and Coady has been a regular pick in recent years, along with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Toffees striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin could also be included, while Anthony Gordon, Demarai Gray and James Tarkowski entertain outside chances.
Despite the hectic Premier League schedule preceding an unprecedented winter World Cup, Coady says the upcoming tournament is at the forefront of players’ minds.
It’s the most exciting time in a footballer’s career when a World Cup is coming up,” he told talkSPORT.
“I think everybody will tell you the same thing. It’s an incredible feeling.
“If you’re an English player and you weren’t speaking about it, it would be a bit silly.
Over a coffee we’ll speak and say, ‘Who do you think he’ll take there?’ Or, ‘So-and-so is doing well’.
“I saw Ruben Loftus-Cheek talking about it this morning. Everybody is thinking about it.
“People think it is just exciting for supporters. Believe me, as a player, you see it coming round and the other players player well and different things.
“We don’t sit there and go, ‘Great block, Tarky [Tarkowski], I think you’ve got a chance there!
“But over a coffee or over lunch, we have a sit down and wonder who he’ll take.
“I think that’s normal, we’re human beings and we’re excited for what’s coming.”
When is England’s World Cup squad announced?
The provisional squad, per reports, is set to be announced this week. Southgate is capable of picking as many as 55 players in his provisional selection.
The final squad must be submitted to FIFA by November 14th.
