The adventurous England XI Gareth Southgate must play at the World Cup following squad announcement: Tottenham star in front two, Liverpool ace in midfield

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Following the England squad announcement today, here’s our take on a slightly adventurous XI Gareth Southgate could try to play at this summer’s World Cup.

International tournaments are so often disappointing for England as cautious coaches rely too much on the same old names and systems, so how could Southgate do things a little differently this year?

MORE: ‘Utter state of this’ – England fans all slam same thing after World Cup squad announcement

Who knows if he’ll try anything like this, and who knows if it would work, but here’s our preferred England XI to at least make watching the Three Lions fun and interesting again!

GK: Jordan Pickford

With no Joe Hart, Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is probably the pick (no pun intended) of the bunch of this lot of ‘keepers, but in truth it’s not the most inspiring list of options.

CB: John Stones

It might not have been his best season at Manchester City, but John Stones will at least be reasonably well rested and has plenty to offer on the ball to help us keep possession and build out from the back better than we have done in the past.

John Stones should be a starter for England at the World Cup

CB: Harry Maguire

After an outstanding season at Leicester City, Harry Maguire surely deserves the nod over the ageing and in-decline Gary Cahill, while Phil Jones simply isn’t fulfilling the potential he seemed to have earlier in his career.

RB: Kyle Walker

Plenty of good options at right-back with Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold in reserve, but after his fine season for title winners Manchester City, it’s surely got to be the pacey, attack-minded Kyle Walker as first choice.

LB: Fabian Delph

Bit of a wildcard here, but Fabian Delph showed some of the finest form of his career at left-back for City this term and should get the nod there again, particularly if two of his other City team-mates also make up that back four. Let’s get the club connections strong where possible!

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More Stories Ashley Young Danny Rose Danny Welbeck Dele Alli Eric Dier Fabian Delph Gary Cahill Harry Kane Harry Maguire Jack Butland Jamie Vardy Jesse Lingard John Stones Jordan Henderson Jordan Pickford Kieran Trippier Kyle Walker Marcus Rashford Nick Pope Phil Jones Raheem Sterling Ruben Loftus-Cheek Trent Alexander-Arnold