EURO 2020: Predicting England’s Starting XI

The European championships will be this summer, after being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament will take place in 11 different European countries starting on June 11. Managers of international teams work tirelessly to select the 26 players who will be available to play in the tournament. England manager Gareth Southgate will have quite the task picking just 26 English internationals for his squad, but Southgate has been getting good results with his sides, winning five out of their last six, and currently the leaders in their World Cup 2022 qualifying group. There are a few guarantees, but the rest of the team is still fighting for places. In his last match, Southgate used a 4-3-3 formation, which is how the selections below will be made. Let’s take a look at a possible English XI for their opening match versus Croatia at the EUROs this summer:

Goalkeeper & Defenders

(Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)

GK: Nick Pope (Burnley) – While having to make the fifth most saves in the Premier League, Pope has also had the second highest save percentage, only behind Manchester City’s Ederson. Burnley’s number one also only allowed one goal in three starts for England during the last international break. Well deserved starter.

LB: Luke Shaw (Manchester United) – He only featured once last international break and came up with an assist vs. Albania. But, Shaw has been solid in Manchester United’s team providing five assists and looking like his old self. 

CB: Harry Maguire (Manchester United) – Another Red Devil in the side. Maguire could be given the captain’s armband, as well. Maguire scored a booming header to beat Poland in England’s last match and should just be a preview of this summer.

CB: John Stones (Manchester City) – Joe Gomez would have been here if it weren’t for a knee injury which has had him out since November. And John Stones finally looks like the man City thought they had a few years back when he came over from Everton. Stones has been crucial in helping City win the Premier League, and will be key for this England team.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) – Southgate has said that Trent has not been playing at the level he was previously the past two seasons and was not even a part of his team during the last international break. With competition from Kyle Walker and Reece James, TAA will have to fight for his spot, but should be starting in the back for England.

Midfielders

Photo courtesy of Sky Sports.

CM: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) – He will act as an anchor for this midfield group and he has been doing it well for England and Liverpool. Henderson is currently injured, but should be back this month. The Liverpool captain will provide cover for the back line and for Alexander-Arnold and Shaw to exploit the wings.

CM: Declan Rice (West Ham United) – Operating next to Henderson in a very similar fashion. Rice has been crucial for West Ham’s excellent run in the Premier League this season. Rice is eighth in the Premier League in interceptions per match, exactly what is needed from a CM.

CAM: Phil Foden (Manchester City) – 20 years old and Foden has 14 goals and eight assists for Manchester City this season. Foden only had one assist in 211 minutes in the last international break, but provided five chances and completed 93% of his passes. He’ll be the creative spark in the midfield.

Forwards

Photo courtesy of The Guardian.

LW: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) – Always seems to be running down the left wing for City and England and had a goal against San Marino for England last time out. Sterling has 10 goals and eight assists in all competitions for City this year, and is constantly creating chances with his individual skill and pace. He is essential for the England’s front three this summer.

ST: Harry Kane (Tottenham) – Premier League’s top scorer is the first name written down for this team. 28 goals in all competitions, and add 16 assists to that, too. Tottenham would be lost without this man, and so would England.

RW: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) – The future of England for years to come. Rashford started out as a striker early in his career, but has been deployed more on the wings in recent years. Not as many goals to come by, but he has created more chances than any other season. With Kane in the center, expect Rashford to play off him and Sterling brilliantly for England this summer.