England's Euro 2024 qualifying campaign concluded last night following their 1-1 draw with North Macedonia which secured them top spot in their group and a place in pot 1 for the draw.
Their main focus now will be on their preparations for the tournament itself and Gareth Southgate will of course have a things to think about. Two of them include his best 11 and the players he will include in his squad.
Let's see who I've got in my England team and which players I think will and should be selected for the tournament next summer.
STARTING LINE UP
Jordan Pickford obviously has to start as he's England no.1 and I don't see that changing.
In defence, Kyle Walker will obviously start at right back as he's been first choice in that position for a while now and his pace is also a key factor at both ends. On the other side, I think Luke Shaw will start as he's been England's first choice on the left hand side for the last two tournaments. He has struggled with injuries this season but once he can get himself fit and in form, he'll definitely be England's left back.
Stones and Maguire will probably be out two centre halves as they have a good understanding of each and have been key players under Southgate in the past. If I was doing this about a month ago, I might've had someone else to partner Stones as Maguire wasn't getting enough game time at Man United. But now Maguire has won his place back and playing well, he should definitely start.
I've chosen to go for a 4-3-3 formation as I feel that is a system that suits England best. In midfield, Rice and Bellingham are absolute shoes ins and especially Bellingham. I've got Phil Foden in the final midfield spot as I would like to see him in that position. Southgate has mainly used him out wide, but I think England could do with someone who can carry the ball from midfield and play some defence splitting passes from anywhere on the pitch. Foden can do both.
In attack, Bukayo Saka has to start on the right due to how important he's become for England over the past year or so. He's another shoe in for this team.
On the left I've gone for Raheem Sterling as he's been a key player for England in the past and is having a decent season with Chelsea. He might've missed out on the last few squads, but I feel he has unlucky not to be recalled given the form he's been in. If I picked my team at the end of last season, I would've had Marcus Rashford. But with Rashford not in great form for United at the moment, I've got to go with Sterling because he's in better form. Harry Kane meanwhile will obviously be our first choice striker as he's England's talisman and captain.
THE SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace)
DEFENDERS: Kyle Walker (Man City), Kieron Trippier (Newcastle), John Stones (Man City), Harry Maguire (Man United), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Luke Shaw (Man United), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)
MIDFIELDERS: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Ward-Prowse (West Ham), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), James Maddison (Tottenham), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Man City)
FORWARDS: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Man United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
As for the squad, Aaron Ramsdale and Sam Johnstone should provide cover for Jordan Pickford having been included in recent squads. Ramsdale might've lost his place at Arsenal to David Raya, but with no other English keeper pushing for a call up, he'll probably keep his place. Also I have a sneaky feeling that he might win his place back with Raya yet to convince.
Kieron Trippier should definitely back up Kyle Walker at right back as he's been that player for the last few years. Ben Chilwell has struggled with injuries in recent years but given the lack of options England have at left back, he should've definitely be back up to Luke Shaw.
Lewis Dunk and Marc Guehi look the most likely options to provide cover for Stones and Maguire in central defence having been part of recent squads and playing well for their clubs. There is a case for the likes of Fikayo Tomori and Levi Colwill but for now, I'm sticking with Guehi and Dunk.
I've put Trent Alexander-Arnold in the midfield section as that is where Southgate sees him and he played there in their recent games against Malta and North Macedonia. As for the other midfield options, James Ward-Prowse has to be included due to the form he's been in for West Ham and what he can offer from set pieces. He has to go over Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson.
James Maddison also has to go as he also offers a threat from set pieces and gives England that extra bit of creativity. He might not play in his preferred no.10 position but he can still do a job as an 8 and even out wide.
Marcus Rashford might not be having a great season for his club, but there is plenty of time for him to turn his season around between now and the end of the season. He's been someone who Southgate has trusted in the past and if he can start performing consistently between now and the end of the season, he'll definitely get picked.
You could say the same about Jack Grealish who is yet to score in the Premier League this season. But Grealish can make a difference when coming off the bench as he has done so on a number of occasions for England. Both he and Rashford look nailed on to provide cover for Saka and Sterling in the wide areas.
Ollie Watkins is currently leading the way to be Harry Kane's back up and I can't see that changing if he carries on the way he has been for Aston Villa. He did struggle against North Macedonia last night but I still think he'll be Kane's back up.
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