A Scot captains a predominantly English dream team, which features players from Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Everton and Real Madrid.
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International football is back. All four UK nations are in action this next month.
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are all feeling cautiously optimistic. The new 24-team European Championship format has given them a great chance to end their long respective waits for a trip to a major tournament.
England fans are feeling less positive about their team, following a very poor 2014 World Cup and the recent retirements of three of the golden generation – Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
Realistically, it is highly unlikely that any of the home nations are going to win a big tournament in the foreseeable future.
Individually, there is simply not enough talent to compete with Europe’s elite and the rest of the world’s big guns.
However, would a combined UK squad have the potential to challenge for top prizes?
We know that a tokenistic Team GB entry flopped at the 2012 Olympics, but what if we really went for it?
We reckon the ideal starting XI would look something like this:
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart – England – Manchester City
England’s best keeper since David Seaman.
Right-back: Glen Johnson – England – Liverpool
None of Britain’s right-backs are without their flaws, but, sorry Alan Hutton, Johnson just gets to nod. He is strong, fast and adds an extra dimension to attacks.
Centre-back: Gary Cahill – England – Chelsea
Cahill has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League over the past three seasons. He was one of the main reasons that Chelsea managed to keep 18 top-flight clean sheets last term.
Centre-back: Jonny Evans – Northern Ireland – Manchester United
Had a horrible night during United’s 4-0 defeat to MK Dons on Tuesday, but Evans is a top quality defender and would look much safer alongside Cahill, instead of next to the likes of Michael Keane or even Chris Smalling.
Left-back: Leighton Baines
Did not have the best World Cup campaign, but Baines is still the best of British when it comes to left-backs, although Luke Shaw could soon be knocking on the door.
Midfield: Darren Fletcher – Scotland – Manchester United
England are very short of holding midfielders with Gerrard and Lampard now out of contention. Fletcher would add some much needed experience and balance to Team GB’s engine room. We know Fletcher is only vice captain at United, behind Rooney, but we reckon the Scot would be a much better leader of this side.
Midfield: Aaron Ramsey – Wales – Arsenal
Possibly one of the best midfielders on the planet right now.
Attacking midfield right: Raheem Sterling – England – Liverpool
Speedy Sterling would hopefully be able to link up well with Liverpool teammate Johnson down Team GB’s very attacking right side.
Attacking midfield centre: Gareth Bale – Wales – Real Madrid
Bale generally plays on the right for Real, but he excelled in a more central role during his incredible final season at Tottenham Hotspur, where he was the main man.
Attacking midfield left: Daniel Sturridge – England – Liverpool
Wide left is not his favourite position, but with the opposition defenders constantly concerned about Bale, Sturridge would get so much space, which he could use to devastating effect.
Forward: Wayne Rooney – England – Manchester United
Forget the captaincy Wayne, just score a bagful of goals.
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