James Tarkowski has best World Cup shout of England's debut boys, writes Danny Murphy

I have been in a similar position to Lewis Cook, Alfie Mawson, James Tarkowski and Nick Pope.

In 2002, before the World Cup in South Korea and Japan, I had played only once for England when I was called up by Sven-Goran Eriksson for friendlies in March and April. So I have a sense of what those four uncapped players will be feeling ahead of those two matches against Holland tonight and Italy on Tuesday.

I was in a win-win situation. I knew even if I did well I was never going to overtake players such as Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes in midfield. I never thought I would get in the World Cup squad because I was competing with unbelievable players, so I did not feel the same pressure.

But you could argue some of the lads who have been called up for the first time by Gareth Southgate might feel it because they have a chance to make the squad for Russia this summer.

Tarkowski is the one I think who has a real chance. Looking at the centre-halves, John Stones has not played that much, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are not in the squad, Joe Gomez has not played much recently. Tarkowski has been pivotal for Burnley this season and I really like him.

If you look at the other areas of the pitch that those debutants are competing in, there are players above them. Cook maybe can, but midfield is hard because you have to have a big influence and that is tough at international level. Defensively you can come in and look the part, so I think Tarkowski has got the best opportunity.

If you feel like you have a chance and your performance is being analysed in these two games, it could create more pressure for the players. You want to live up to expectations to the manager, the coaching staff and the other players.

So Tarkowski, Cook, Mawson and Pope, and even the players with fewer than 10 caps like Gomez, Harry Maguire and Jordan Pickford, might feel the pressure of having to perform to impress. But I would suggest they go there with freedom and enjoy the experience.

The thing I found out quickly with England was the standard was really high and you have to raise your game. And you cannot try to do too much in training. If you are trying too hard it can have a detrimental effect.

The other thing that is being looked at is the type of person you are. Because you are going to have to be away for long periods. Are you sociable? So your personality is being judged as well.

Pope said it is “every man for himself” with the four goalkeepers and I like that attitude. Jack Butland and Pickford have been around it a bit longer and I would be surprised if he went with Pope ahead of those two. And Joe Hart is experienced.

In 2002, I did well in those two friendlies against Italy and Paraguay. I did not make the provisional squad but I remember Stevie getting injured and realising he was not going to the World Cup, because at the time he was my best mate. I got put on stand-by and then got called up. I started the penultimate friendly before the World Cup against South Korea but I got a metatarsal injury before the tournament. I was devastated.

But the lads in the squad now cannot think about things like that. You have got so many games and so much to play for between now and the summer. You never know who is going to get injured. All you can do is enjoy it and hope you show enough to get called back.