sport news Why THIS team should start at the Euros. SAMI MOKBEL picks his England XI for ... trends now
Yes the display against Brazil was underwhelming but when all these players are fit and firing, England will be the team to fear at the Euros.
GOALKEEPERJordan 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.
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
Jordan Pickford remains the undisputed No 1 and is working on becoming a calmer presence
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
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
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
