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?
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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.
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!
CM: Jordan Henderson
Okay it really starts to fall apart in central midfield, but what are you going to do? Jack Wilshere should surely have gone, but Jordan Henderson is an improved player under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and should be a starter in Russia.
CM: Eric Dier
Another player who hasn’t quite moved forward as one would’ve hoped, but Eric Dier is a solid option in the middle and does his job in front of the back four well.
RAM: Raheem Sterling
Could Southgate be ballsy and play 4-4-2? We think it might be the best way to line up in attack, with this kind of front four almost a 4-2-4 with plenty to cause havoc for opposition defenders. Raheem Sterling has been superb for City in a similar free role breaking into the box from wide-right and he should be a key part of this England team.
LAM: Dele Alli
Not a winger in the traditional sense, but Dele Alli has occasionally started from the left-hand side and seems another good option to move around into dangerous areas and confuse opponents with late darts into the box when possible.
CF: Jamie Vardy
He’s had another fine season and he’s simply got to be in – Jamie Vardy alongside Harry Kane seems an absolutely dream partnership. Full of energy, passion and showing he relishes the big games, Vardy knows this is surely his last chance at a major tournament for his country and shouldn’t let us down.
CF: Harry Kane
What more can be said about this man? Surely an instant starter after 41 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Tottenham this season, and with Vardy alongside him he’ll get plenty of freedom to do serious damage in the opposition box.
