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Right wing-back: Reece James | Chelsea
With Trent Alexander-Arnold out, I’m going with Reece James to start against Croatia as a right-wing back. I remember watching him play against Newcastle United a few months ago, and what stood out for me was how he timed his runs. He selects them very carefully and it goes without saying that he’s an intelligent player blessed with great fitness and stamina.
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He’s coming into the tournament on the back of a brilliant outing in the UEFA Champions League final where he stifled an attacker as good as Raheem Sterling. Kieran Trippier, on the other hand, is extremely good at what he does and in major tournaments, a manager might tend to go back to someone who has been reliable for him over the years.
I’ve worked with Gareth Southgate before and he’s a very measured individual. He is much more experienced now and will make his calls without any pressure whatsoever. I admit that I could be wrong, but Reece James peaked in the UEFA Champions League final and should get the nod ahead of Trippier.
Central midfield: Declan Rice | West Ham United
Whatever the formation is, Declan Rice will function as a sitter for England. He was born to pass a football, but there’s another side to his game that has come to the fore under David Moyes for West Ham United. He has a great desire to track back and slot in as another central defender when the situation calls for it.
That is very important at this level and in major tournaments like Euro 2020 where teams could so easily be hit on the counter. I don’t think Gareth Southgate will want to be too attack-minded, so he will look to respect the opposition.
Croatia are an experienced side and are known for managing and slowing down games in midfield. The likes of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic are capable of running any game of football. That said, Rice has an important role to play as he prepares to enter his first major tournament for England.
Central midfield: Mason Mount | Chelsea
Mason Mount is a tremendous player and a footballing allrounder. I’ve been hugely impressed with his development since he burst onto the scene under Frank Lampard. His versatility allows him to morph into any position with consummate ease. There was so much talk about his place in the Chelsea side when Thomas Tuchel took over, but he’s proved that he’s a proper player who can take it all in his stride and play in any position.
Don’t underestimate what Mount can do defensively as well. I’m a big fan of Kalvin Phillips and he might get a chance to play at some point in Euro 2020, but I want England to have a proper go. Mason Mount’s drive, quality on the ball and his ability to pick the right passes could give opposition teams plenty of problems at Euro 2020.
Left wing-back: Luke Shaw | Manchester United
Luke Shaw narrowly gets the nod at left-wing back as he’s a more complete package than Ben Chilwell, who in my opinion is more of a risk-taker. His fitness is no longer a concern, as he showed with his performances for Manchester United in the 2020-21 season.
Shaw has responded to Alex Telles’ arrival at Old Trafford by taking his game up a notch. He’s very good defensively and has no problem getting up and down the line, indicating that he’s in prime physical condition ahead of Euro 2020.
Right wing: Phil Foden | Manchester City
Gareth Southgate is spoilt for choice in terms of attackers. He faces a difficult decision to pick just three attackers from a star-studded pool of players, but he’s reaping the rewards of England’s new wave of youth and will relish the opportunity.
Phil Foden has been carefully looked after and nurtured by Pep Guardiola over the past few seasons. He has now developed into one of the best players in the Premier League with his brilliant performances, winning many admirers in the last 12 months. He’s a technical gem and a beautiful natural talent who has really upped his goal count this season.
I’m a little bit concerned about not putting enough pace in the front three, but Foden is deceptively quick, and watching him run with the ball at his feet is some sight. He’s not the quickest player around but he’s got a whole skill-set to compensate for his lack of pace.
If England change their system and decide to play a three-man midfield, Foden could slot in centrally if the situation calls for it.
Striker: Harry Kane | Tottenham Hotspur
Harry Kane won the Golden Boot at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and is coming on the back of winning his third Premier League Golden Boot. He was a member of the squad in 2016 and will have flashbacks of how things unraveled for England and Roy Hodgson against Iceland. Kane will reflect on that as a leader and look to inspire his side to great things at Euro 2020.
England play each of their three group games at Wembley Stadium, so Kane will look to use the crowd and the atmosphere to get his side going. He’s a beautifully pure striker of the ball and will look to get his hands on yet another Golden Boot to add to his collection.
My only worry is that he can’t afford to drop back as much as he did for Tottenham Hotspur in the 2020-21 season.
At club level, Kane has runners like Son Heung-Min and Steven Bergwijn to pick out. If he starts alongside the likes of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish for England, he needs to stay central and allow his teammates to pick him out inside the penalty area.
Left wing: Jack Grealish | Aston Villa
The likes of Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling are fantastic players in their own right, but it’s ‘Jack Grealish’ time for England at Euro 2020. I’ve always been a big fan of him and he has all the tools to steal the show with his dribbling ability and the way he protects the ball. He invites defenders to have little nibbles and is someone who wants to engage as soon as he gets on the ball.
Grealish has been guilty of going down too easily in the past, but that’s just the way the modern game is. England’s technical talent in terms of set-pieces coupled with the Aston Villa captain’s ability to win free-kicks could become a force to be reckoned with. The package he brings is something special and I expect him to take off at Euro 2020.
There are a few players like Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka who I didn’t even mention, so it’s quite clear that this is an immensely talented England squad. The players are coming on the back of a grueling season, but it’s about to go to another realm in terms of intensity at the European Championships.
That said, this is a squad with the perfect blend of youth and experience under a manager who is much more experienced than what was the case in 2018. There’s always pressure on England to deliver, but I wish them all well!
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for France | UEFA Euro 2020
