Why THIS team should start at the Euros. SAMI MOKBEL picks his England XI for the tournament opener in 84 days
- Despite a limp showing against Brazil, England will be the team to fear at the European Championship in Germany
England's display against Brazil may have failed to thrill at Wembley on Saturday, but Gareth Southgate's side offered fans a slip of promise.
While England were forced to go without a number of stand-out veterans like Harry Kane, and latterly, Kyle Walker, when all of the squad players are fit and firing, England will be the team to fear at this summer's European Championship.
With just three more friendlies to play until the start of the Three Lions' campaign against Serbia in June, a clear picture of Southgate's strongest side has begun to emerge.
GOALKEEPER
Jordan Pickford has been a mainstay of Gareth Southgate’s reign. From Russia to Qatar, Pickford’s influence is key. A bundle of nervous energy in the dressing room, but he is working on being more of a calming authority on the pitch.
While the identity of England's No 1 isn’t an issue, the role of understudy is a problem. At the start of the season Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale was almost certainly going as Pickford’s No 2. There were many who believed Ramsdale was threatening to overtake Pickford. But having lost his place at Arsenal to David Raya, Ramsdale is clinging to his place in the squad.
![Jordan Pickford remains the undisputed No 1 and is working on becoming a calmer presence](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/24/16/82834169-13233011-image-a-21_1711297705292.jpg)
Jordan Pickford remains the undisputed No 1 and is working on becoming a calmer presence
Sam Johnstone will fancy his chances of being the No 2. He’s been a regular for Crystal Palace this season and that sharpness should give him the edge. The imminent return to fitness of Nick Pope at Newcastle could put Ramsdale under more pressure, while Jack Butland, now at Rangers, is back on the radar.
Verdict: Pickford
Back-up: Johnstone and Ramsdale
RIGHT BACK
Kyle Walker is one of only a handful of genuinely world-class players in Southgate’s squad. The Manchester City defender, who limped off against Brazil, will start England’s first game against Serbia on June 16. His recovery pace offers the obvious benefit of defending higher up the pitch. Walker has also developed into one of the leaders of Southgate’s dressing room and his influence behind the scenes shouldn’t be underestimated.
Who steps in for Walker is less certain. The prospect of Ben White returning to the international fold is virtually non-existent. Add to that Reece James’ race against time to recover from hamstring surgery and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s emergence as a central midfielder, the role of Walker’s understudy isn’t obvious.
Kieran Trippier, who is another injured, is likely to provide cover. The versatility of Joe Gomez also provides Southgate with options.
Verdict: Walker
Back-up: Trippier
![Kyle Walker offers recovery pace and has become one of the leaders in the dressing room](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/24/16/82834583-13233011-image-a-34_1711298778258.jpg)
Kyle Walker offers recovery pace and has become one of the leaders in the dressing room
LEFT BACK
All being well Luke Shaw will start. But, right now, there is significant doubt whether the Manchester United man will be fit enough to even be in the squad. Shaw has a hamstring injury and isn’t expected to return until the final weeks of the season. There is hope he can play in United’s final handful of fixtures, but even so it will take time for him to get up to speed. If he does, Southgate will take a chance on the 28-year-old given his importance.
Behind Shaw, Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell’s international career has been blighted by injury and he looked rusty against Brazil. Beyond Shaw and Chilwell, Manchester City youngster Rico Lewis, who made his senior debut against North Macedonia in November, has an outside chance of making the final 23.
Levi Colwill, a centre-back by trade, could also fill in at left-back. Colwill was omitted from the latest squad due to injury while Trippier has often played at left-back for England, too.
Verdict: Shaw
Back-up: Chilwell
![Gareth Southgate may have to take a gamble on Luke Shaw's fitness given his importance](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/24/16/82834529-13233011-image-a-33_1711298676827.jpg)
Gareth Southgate may have to take a gamble on Luke Shaw's fitness given his importance
CENTRE BACKS
It would be one of the biggest shocks of Southgate’s reign if John Stones and Harry Maguire weren’t partnered together for the tournament. They’ve been the foundation of England’s emergence as a genuine force in world football.
Maguire’s inactivity led to serious questions over the Manchester United star’s claims for a place in the squad let alone the starting XI. But Maguire is the biggest beneficiary of Southgate’s loyalty to players. The fact he is now back in United’s team means he should partner the outstanding Stones, who remains England’s undisputed first-choice.
Marc Guehi will go to the Euros as third-choice, although the Crystal Palace defender is another who missed this squad through injury. For a while, it looked as if Guehi may partner Stones in Germany, and Southgate is understood to have reassured the 23-year-old of his place in the squad.
Elsewhere there is an intriguing battle emerging between Colwill and Jarrad Branthwaite for a place in the squad as a left-sided alternative to Maguire. Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa are also options. Eric Dier and Fikayo Tomori are outside bets, while Gomez is a natural centre back.
Verdict: Stones and Maguire
Back-ups: Guehi and Joe Gomez
![It would be a major shock if John Stones is not partnered with Harry Maguire](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/24/16/82834493-13233011-image-m-30_1711298486766.jpg)
![Maguire is the biggest beneficiary of Southgate¿s loyalty to players](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/24/16/82834495-13233011-image-a-31_1711298496165.jpg)
John Stones and Harry Maguire will again be the foundation of Southgate's England side
NO 6
This is where it starts to get problematic. Earlier this month when asked which area of the field was hardest to balance, Southgate replied: ‘Midfield.'
It’s the area where we don’t have a midfield organiser with the ball, like Jorginho, Sergio Busquets, Toni Kroos or Luka Modric. In my lifetime we’ve rarely produced that player in England, so we’ve got different profiles of a 6. So is it a 6 and 8 or a double 6 and a 10.
We know Declan Rice will head to Germany as England’s lead 6 - but the identity of his partner is unclear. In an ideal world, Kalvin Phillips will rediscover his best form and slot in alongside Rice. But there are no guarantees, given his alarming loss of form and fitness.
Conor Gallagher filled the role as the second No 6 against Brazil but playing in that position isn’t his natural game. Jordan Henderson can play the role, but has plummeted down the pecking order following his Liverpool exit.
The intriguing option is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who generally plays at right-back domestically. It was Southgate’s intention to play the Liverpool vice-captain in midfield against Brazil and Belgium but injury robbed him of that chance.
Kobbie Mainoo has emerged as wildcard option as a No 6. But the Manchester United rookie, who made his debut against Brazil, is yet to make 20 senior appearances in his breakthrough season.
Verdict Rice and Bellingham (more advanced)
Back-up: Alexander Arnold and Phillips
![Declan Rice is the obvious pick as a No 6 but the identity of his midfield partner is unclear](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/24/16/82834457-13233011-image-a-25_1711298311043.jpg)
Declan Rice is the obvious pick as a No 6 but the identity of his midfield partner is unclear
![Moving Jude Bellingham closer to his own goal should ensure he has a greater involvement](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/24/16/82834453-13233011-image-a-26_1711298372671.jpg)
Moving Jude Bellingham closer to his own goal should ensure he has a greater involvement
NO 8 OR NO 10
One solution for Southgate in his No 6 conundrum would be to play Jude Bellingham next to Rice in a box-to-box capacity, a move which could allow Phil Foden to play centrally as a No 10. That would appease sections of the fanbase who say Southgate is too negative. But there was evidence against Brazil that against top opposition, England are more robust with two natural No 6s.
Bellingham was deployed as a No 10 against Brazil and was clearly instructed not to get involved too much with defending. The attacking impact the 20-year-old has made at Real Madrid, during which Carlo Ancelotti has used him similarly to the way Southgate did on Saturday, has appeal as it involves playing English football’s pin-up boy higher up the field. In contrast, moving Bellingham closer towards his own goal in a No 6/8 role would ensure greater involvement in the game for the team’s most exciting player.
It would be bold to have a midfield trio of Rice, Bellingham and Foden but whether Southgate is convinced, remains to be seen. Away from that trio, James Maddison, Gallagher and Alexander-Arnold present options. But this is all about getting the best out of Bellingham. If Phillips can get back to his best, it would solve a lot of problems.
Verdict: Foden as a 10
Back-up: Maddison
![Phil Foden could play centrally if Bellingham drops back and plays in a box-to-box role](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/24/16/82834331-13233011-image-a-24_1711297982450.jpg)
Phil Foden could play centrally if Bellingham drops back and plays in a box-to-box role
WIDE ATTACKERS
Bukayo Saka will head to Germany as England’s premier winger. His attacking threat is clear, but it’s his ability to carry out Southgate’s defensive plan that makes him invaluable. If Foden isn’t used centrally, there is every chance he will start on the opposite flank to Saka.
But this is an area of the pitch Southgate doesn't need to worry about in terms of alternatives – he’s got Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Anthony Gordon, Jarrod Bowen and Cole Palmer. If Raheem Sterling can finish the season strongly, he could emerge as a late contender.
Southgate was impressed by Gordon against Brazil, and a further positive contribution against Belgium on Tuesday could leave others vulnerable. Grealish has struggled for form and fitness while Rashford has had his issues. Palmer offers England different qualities; vision and an ability to execute killer passes could see him emerge as an alternative at No 10. But Southgate is blessed with wide talent.
Verdict: Saka (wide right) and Rashford (wide left)
Back-up: Gordon and Palmer
![Bukayo Saka will be England¿s premier winger with a vital role in both attack and defence](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/24/16/82834321-13233011-image-a-23_1711297857123.jpg)
Bukayo Saka will be England’s premier winger with a vital role in both attack and defence
STRIKER
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/24/17/82835679-13233011-image-a-3_1711302524093.jpg)
No prizes for guessing the answer here. Harry Kane - England’s greatest striker of all time.
If England are to win the Euros, the Bayern Munich star will be central to it all.
Goals, assists and his ability to win free-kicks are all crucial to England’s vision for success.
But the options behind him are less clear.
Ollie Watkins was given a chance against Brazil but fluffed his lines. Ivan Toney will have his chance against Belgium.
It is likely Watkins and Toney are battling it out for one spot in the squad, particularly given the fact Rashford can play as a central attacker, while Southgate has even name-checked Bellingham as a potential makeshift No 9.
![Harry Kane will have to be central to England's side if the Three Lions are to win the Euros](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/24/16/82834223-13233011-image-a-22_1711297777443.jpg)
Harry Kane will have to be central to England's side if the Three Lions are to win the Euros
But we all know the drill here: pray nothing serious happens to Kane between now and summer.
Verdict – Kane
Back-up - Toney
Sami’s England starting XI: (4-2-3-1) Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Foden, Rashford; Kane.
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