Crafting the Perfect Starting XI for England's Euro 2024 Triumph
Get ready for Euro 2024 as England's bid to qualify continues! Who will make the starting XI for their first game? Experts weigh in on key players like Trent, Colwill, Ramsdale, and TAA Will Southgate stick with the old guard or shake things up? Have your say and pick your dream team!
Who should Gareth Southgate pick if England's opening game at Euro 2024 was tomorrow?
The countdown is well and truly on with the opening game of Euro 2024 in Munich just one year away.
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To enhance the privacy of your account, simply access the Privacy Options. England, leading the way in Group C qualifiers, are determined to secure a spot in the upcoming tournament in Germany. Their upcoming matches against Malta (Friday, June 16; kick-off at 7:45 PM) and North Macedonia (Monday, June 19; kick-off at 7:45 PM) present an opportunity to surpass their Euro 2020 runner-up finish.
There's still plenty of time for players to make their cases in the next year, but if Gareth Southgate's side's first match at the tournament was just around the corner, who would he pick?
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The potential line-up for the upcoming game raises a few questions - will Aaron Ramsdale finally get his opportunity to play as goalkeeper? Will Trent-Alexander-Arnold make a comeback in the starting XI? If so, will he play in defence or midfield? And lastly, will Marcus Rashford be preferred over Jack Grealish on the left? Our team of football writers have shared their thoughts on the matter.
David Richardson: 'It's time to unleash Trent'
With Gareth Southgate having experimented with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield previously, it's clear that the Liverpool player has the versatility to thrive in a variety of roles. With England lacking depth in midfield beyond the likes of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, Alexander-Arnold could be the ideal candidate to fill the third spot in a 4-3-3 formation. It's time for Southgate to unleash him and see what he's capable of.
Assuming no notable challengers arise for the left centre-back position, Harry Maguire is expected to maintain his spot in the England XI, alongside Marcus Rashford as the left-sided forward in a 4-3-3 formation for Euro 2024 according to Dave Richardson.
Sam Blitz: 'It could be Colwill's time'
The team's standout feature is their incredibly versatile defense. Trent Alexander-Arnold is able to seamlessly transition into midfield, while John Stones takes on a hybrid role encompassing right-back, center-back, and center-mid positions. This unpredictability will keep European competitors on their toes. As for potential changes to the squad, Gareth Southgate may consider replacing Harry Maguire. The outcome largely hinges on whether the Manchester United captain secures a move in the summer. In the event that he stays put, Levi Colwill is poised to surpass him in rank.
After a successful loan spell at Brighton from Chelsea, Colwill's performance has put him in contention for a spot in England's squad from September onwards. Jordan Pickford is likely to continue as the goalkeeper, while Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka could be included in the midfield and right-wing positions respectively. With Marcus Rashford on the left, Southgate may regret not giving him more playtime during the World Cup in Qatar.
Sam Blitz's England XI for Euro 2024: (4-3-3) Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Colwill, Shaw; Rice, Mount, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Rashford.
Nick Wright: 'Ramsdale to have the edge over Pickford'
Should he pick up where he left off last season, I think Aaron Ramsdale may just have the edge over Jordan Pickford in goal, although Gareth Southgate may think differently.
Levi Colwill presents as a strong contender to take over from Harry Maguire as the left-footed option. However, it's crucial that he has a successful season under his belt, whether that be with Chelsea or another team. As for my full-back choices, I have a hunch that Reece James and Ben Chilwell will thrive under Mauricio Pochettino's guidance, similar to the success of Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, and Danny Rose at Tottenham.
I believe that incorporating Trent Alexander-Arnold in the midfield would be a great addition to the team. Although England's coach, Southgate, has previously struggled with this, he can take inspiration from Jurgen Klopp's successful implementation of the strategy last season. The midfield would consist of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, while Marcus Rashford would be positioned just ahead of Jack Grealish on the left and Bukayo Saka on the right. Harry Kane would, of course, be the central striker.
Nick Wright's England XI for Euro 2024: (4-3-3) Ramsdale; James, Stones, Colwill, Chilwell; Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Bellingham; Saka, Kane Rashford.
Laura Hunter: 'TAA in midfield but experiment needs fine tuning'
While Gareth Southgate may not be ready to replace Jordan Pickford as England's goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale's outstanding performance should not be overlooked. England has a wealth of talent in this position, with Nick Pope also a strong contender.
Reece James is a top-notch all-rounder at the full-back position and should be a shoo-in for the starting lineup if he can stay healthy. While there are plenty of options at this position, James is as good as they come and could be a key player for England if he can maintain his form for Chelsea. The rest of the defense is fairly settled, barring any unexpected issues with Harry Maguire. While it would be intriguing to see Trent Alexander-Arnold in a more attacking role, Southgate seems hesitant to trust him defensively. However, Alexander-Arnold has shown promise in a new hybrid midfield role for Liverpool and it may be worth experimenting with him before the tournament. If he can replicate his club form at the international level, he could be a valuable asset for England.
Laura Hunter's England XI to start Euro 2024: (4-3-3) Ramsdale; James, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Rashford.
Zinny Boswell: 'Mount to rediscover his best form'
Levi Colwill, the Chelsea centre-back, has the potential to be a surprise inclusion in the squad. With Harry Maguire's future still uncertain, this could be Colwill's opportunity to stake his claim for the left-sided centre-back spot, whether that be at Chelsea or Brighton. His natural left-footedness and confidence in playing out from the back make him an ideal fit for Southgate's team.
I have high hopes for Mason Mount to bounce back to his peak performance in the upcoming season and make a significant contribution to England's success at the Euros. With his remarkable performance in the Premier League, Kieran Trippier is likely to be Southgate's first choice for right-back. While the rest of the team seems to be a sure bet, there is a possibility of Phil Foden taking over Marcus Rashford's position on the left.
Zinny Boswell's England XI to start Euro 2024: (4-3-3) Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Colwill, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham, Mount; Saka, Kane, Rashford.
Joe Shread: 'Shaw an interesting option to partner Stones'
Jordan Pickford keeps his place in goal ahead of Aaron Ramsdale due to his sturdy performances for England at major tournaments.
At right-back, Reece James has emerged as the preferred choice despite facing tough competition. With Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea, there is hope that James will regain his fitness and form. Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell, James' teammate, is a strong offensive force in the left-back position. In the absence of other options, Manchester United's Luke Shaw has been experimenting as a centre-back and could potentially partner with John Stones in the defense.
Assuming Stones, Declan Rice, and Jude Bellingham have secured their spots, Mason Mount could potentially excel under Erik ten Hag's guidance at Old Trafford. Additionally, Bukayo Saka is the top right-sided attacker for England and is expected to start alongside Harry Kane in the frontline. Marcus Rashford is also predicted to make the cut over Jack Grealish and Phil Foden due to his superior scoring abilities.
Joe Shread's England XI to start Euro 2024: (4-3-3) Pickford; James, Stones, Shaw, Chilwell; Mount, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Rashford.
Oliver Yew: 'Ramsdale, James, Colwill and TAA to help England go up a level'
There's still plenty of room for Southgate's tried and trusted players but throw in a sprinkling of magic dust and England could go all the way next summer.
Aaron Ramsdale faces a tough challenge in displacing Jordan Pickford from his spot as England's goalkeeper, but his impressive performances for Arsenal could make it difficult for manager Gareth Southgate to overlook him in the future. Though Reece James had a difficult season due to injuries, I believe he has the potential to bounce back and regain his form once he is fully recovered. Additionally, young centre-back Levi Colwill has been training with the senior England squad and could potentially rise to become a key player, potentially even replacing Harry Maguire in the starting lineup.
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The composition of England's midfield is still up for debate, with Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham being the only sure bets. Kalvin Phillips hopes to impress at Man City for a chance to join them, while Mason Mount could revive his form with a transfer in the summer. However, Trent-Alexander Arnold's outstanding displays as a midfielder for Liverpool suggest he could be a game-changer for England if given the opportunity.
As for the attack, Gareth Southgate has a wealth of options to choose from, but the left-wing belongs to Marcus Rashford, while Bukayo Saka is the preferred choice on the right. Harry Kane remains the undisputed striker for England, though Jack Grealish and Phil Foden are valuable assets to have on the bench.
Oliver Yew's England XI to start Euro 2024: (4-3-3) Ramsdale; James, Stones, Colwill, Shaw; Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Bellingham; Saka, Kane Rashford.
Dan Long: 'Southgate to stick with old guard'
Perhaps it's unimaginative of me, but Gareth Southgate's old guard make up the spine of this team, though there could well be alterations made in several areas.
Although Jordan Pickford's best performances seem to come when he's playing away at tournaments with England, he still starts in goal, while Harry Maguire has proven to be a reliable player at the international level. However, I agree with my colleagues that Levi Colwill, who is a decade younger than Maguire and has another Premier League season under his belt, could potentially take his place in the future. I am confident that Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham will continue to shine in England's midfield, but if Mason Mount can find his form from previous seasons, he has a chance of securing the third midfield spot, despite Trent Alexander-Arnold's impressive displays when playing in midfield for Liverpool.
Marcus Rashford is a likely candidate to join Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane as the first names on the teamsheet, but Phil Foden will certainly give him a run for his money. Additionally, I am eagerly anticipating Ivan Toney's return in mid-January and the possibility of him serving as Kane's backup.
Dan Long's England XI to start Euro 2024: (4-3-3) Pickford, Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham, Mount; Saka, Kane, Rashford.
Richard Morgan: 'Very few starting places up for grabs'
It is a sign of the stability under Gareth Southgate's management that really, there are very few starting places up for grabs in this England line-up.
Jordan Pickford is likely to remain the first-choice goalkeeper, but the main topic of discussion for Euro 2024 will be the formation that Gareth Southgate chooses. I believe that he will opt for three at the back, with Ben Chilwell returning to the starting lineup on the left after impressing under Chelsea's new manager, Mauricio Pochettino, and Reece James playing as the opposite wing back.
Luke Shaw, John Stones, and Kyle Walker make up England's defensive back three in their final tournament. They will receive support from the high-value holding midfield pair of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice. On the other hand, the attacking front line is comprised of captain Harry Kane with the speedy duo of Marcus Rashford on the left and Bukayo Saka on the right.
Richard Morgan's England XI to start Euro 2024: (3-4-3) Pickford; Shaw, Stones, Walker; Chilwell, Rice, Bellingham, James; Rashford, Kane, Saka.
Have YOUR say...
So, what would your England starting XI look like for the first game of Euro 2024?
Select your own England starting XI and formation using our interactive selector below and share your team on Twitter @SkyFootball. Don't forget to follow England's upcoming Euro Qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia on Friday and Monday respectively with our dedicated match blogs available on all We digital platforms.
