Team England's Ultimate Lineup: Maguire and Henderson Ready to Conquer Ukraine!
England's team selection for Ukraine: Henderson and Maguire chosen; Nketiah and Colwill earn first senior call-ups; Sterling, Pope, and Ward-Prowse left out; March, Watkins, Gibbs-White overlooked despite promising starts Experience vital in intense Wroclaw atmosphere
To face Ukraine in their Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday, September 9, and commemorate the 150th anniversary of their first encounter, what would be your preferred England starting XI? Utilize our interactive team selector and choose your team...
Gareth Southgate, the manager of England, chose Harry Maguire for his latest squad, even though the Manchester United centre-back has not started a single league game this season. Southgate also retained Jordan Henderson in the squad after the 33-year-old midfielder transferred from Liverpool to Saudi Pro League's Al Ettifaq.
Notably, Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah and Chelsea defender Levi Colwill received their first senior call-ups to the national team.
In addition, Raheem Sterling, a beloved player in England, was left out, and Gareth Southgate disclosed that the Chelsea forward expressed dissatisfaction with the decision. Meanwhile, Nick Pope, the goalkeeper for Newcastle, also lost his spot, making way for Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace, alongside regulars Jordan Pickford and Aaron Ramsdale.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, initially registered as a midfielder, had to drop out of the team due to a hamstring injury, whereas forward Jack Grealish also withdrew due to a thigh strain.
Now, let us know your preferred England XI! Make your selections using our interactive tool and don't forget to share it on Twitter @SkyFootball.
State of play
England must go with experience in white-hot Wroclaw atmosphere
Image:
England manager Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane during a training session at St George's Park
We' senior reporter Rob Dorsett:
Saturday's Euro qualifier provides Ukraine with a semblance of a home game amidst the continuous devastation in their homeland. The fixture is accompanied by heightened emotions, making England's players perceive themselves as battling against an entire nation rather than merely facing 11 opponents on the field. Over the past 18 months, the ongoing war has compelled 6.2 million Ukrainian individuals to flee their country, with Poland being the most welcoming neighboring nation and the chosen location for this match against England.
According to UN statistics, over 4.5 million Ukrainians have sought refuge in Poland, with more than three million displaced individuals entering the country through its Western border to escape the horrors of their homeland.
The upcoming match against England at the Wroclaw Stadium is almost sold out, making it highly probable that over 40,000 "home" fans will be present on Saturday night.
The supporters are not only united and motivated by the Euro qualifier, but also by something else. The success of England's players will depend on how they handle the widespread national pride on and off the field. This presents a unique challenge for Gareth Southgate and his team, as Italy away was already considered the most difficult match in the qualifying round, and this match is a close contender.
