With the England U-21 squad now finalised for the European Championships later this month, we take a look at the strongest possible side in which manager Gareth Southgate could field in the Czech Republic.
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One of Southgate’s toughest decisions will be who to start in attack as his three options in Harry Kane, Danny Ings and Saido Berahino have all been is great form for their respective clubs during the season.
Take a look at the starting XI which we feel should start the opener against Portugal on June 18.
GK) Jack Butland
Butland was given a taste of Premier League football for Stoke City during the climax of the season and performed to a very high standard. This will be his chance to show he can handle the pressure of a big tournament.
RB) Carl Jenkinson
The Arsenal defender should get the nod over his club team-mate Calum Chambers for the right-back spot given that the latter has barely featured for Arsene Wenger’s side in the latter stages of the season.
CB) John Stones
In an extremely tough campaign for the Toffees, Stones has emerged with a great deal of credit. His experience with the senior team will be beneficial as the rest of the squad will look for him to lead by example from the back.
CB) Michael Keane
Despite the Clarets suffering relegation from the Premier League this season, they were defensively sound at times during the campaign and Keane played a huge part in that.
His 21 league apperances for Burnley should give him the nod over Liam Moore.
LB) Luke Garbutt
The Toffees youngster has received his fair share of first-team chances this season and with his contract expiring at the end of the month, this tournament represents a good chance to impress scouts.
MC) James Ward-Prowse
The Saints star is a key player for the young Three Lions as his delivery from set-pieces is nothing short of superb and after captaining the side against Germany last time out, his leadership qualities will be important.
MC) Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Chelsea’s youth system is highly regarded and Loftus-Cheek is evidence that the future is bright for the Premier League champions.
Judging from the appearance towards the end of the season, the youngster likes to get on the ball and dictate from deep and he could form a successful partnership in central midfield alongside Ward-Prowse.
AMC) Harry Kane
Playing Kane in the number 10 role would allow Southgate to essentially field two strikers in certain games where goals are needed.
The Spurs hit-man is likely to be a shoe-in to start against the Portuguese after scoring 31 goals in all competitions this season.
AMR) Nathan Redmond
With Norwich gaining promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs on Bank Holiday, Redmond’s confidence will no doubt be high after scoring in the 2-0 win at Wembley.
The highly-rated winger is starting to realise his enormous potential and is arguably the squad’s most in-form player.
AML) Will Hughes
Derby County’s heartbreaking end to the season,where they failed to secure promotion, should serve as inspiration for the highly-rated youngster to impress in the Czech Republic.
ST) Saido Berahino
The battle to lead the line will come down to Berahino and Ings if Kane is played in the number 10 role. The West Brom forward is likely to get the nod as his pace in behind will scare opposition defenders and create space for Kane.