This team is assuming all players are fit, so players like Luke Shaw and John Stones who have had injury issues are assumed to be fit for the tournament.
GK
Pickford
No justification needed here, no real competition here and pickford has been top 3 keepers in the premier league this season. The first time we’ve come into a tournament with an inform Pickford with no questions round him.
RB
Walker
Again pretty straightforward for me, I love Trent Alexander-Arnold but he can’t start in defence in the euros with any confidence. Walker offers much more defensively and we don’t have the strongest defence as it is so we need Walker’s solidity and pace especially.
CB
Stones
Easy pick, no justification if and when fit.
CB
Maguire
I like many others wanted Maguire dropped from the squad at one point when it was justified and he was making mistakes even in the England shirt, which was his only defence beforehand, that he ‘never let his country down’. However this season he did turn his fortunes round and I can’t ignore the choice of centre halves in Southgate’s squad is slim pickings with Branthwaite in a lot of people’s teams, but he has no experience on the big stage at club level never mind for his country. Had Marc Guehi been fitter towards the end of the season he may have crept in for me.
LB
Shaw
If fit he is England’s best LB simple as that. If hes not fit I would probably go for Joe Gomez over Trippier simply based on form this season, Trippier has really struggled this calendar year while Gomez has thrived at LB for most of his appearances this season covering for Robertson.
CDM (6)
Rice
While he flew forward for Arsenal this season, when he played the 6 he was quality for Arsenal and thats what i want this summer. We have so many talented forwards so Rice doesn’t need to attack, he can sit and protect the defence while keeping the ball ticking over. If walker tucks in we can make that box in the middle of the pitch on the ball too.
CM (6/8)
Bellingham
Alongside Rice I would have Bellingham, he’s a very intelligent footballer who could play anywhere. With rice sitting deep Bellingham can still venture forward and make those late runs which I think suit him more, bombing on past Kane with 3rd man runs.
CAM (8/10)
Foden
Operating in the hole I think Foden has to start, 6 months ago I would’ve said shoehorn Foden on the left with Jude in the 10 but the way Foden has performed since playing in the middle this season i think he has to start as the 10. It’s time for us to trust Foden and it’s time for him to shine on the international stage, if we are to win it, Foden has to have a good tournament.
RW
Saka
Providing natural width and pace in behind, Saka has to start. His form for England speaks for itself, player of year two years in a row. Cole Palmer provides a very good option off the bench if a team sits deep and we need more guile to get through them, but we can’t have too many players coming to feet, Saka gives that option in behind, turning defenders round towards their own goal.
ST
Kane
No shock here.
LW
Gordon
The disrespect on Anthony Gordon’s name needs to be stopped. He has had a quality season for Newcastle, his first full season at the club. He provides electrifying pace, quick feet, a high press and he knows where the goal is. Very similar to Saka, with Kane wanting to drop deep and come to feet, Gordon and Saka give the option in behind to exploit the spaces Kane leaves. I love grealish as a technical footballer but hes simply not been fit enough or been at the level this season he was at last year.
I believe this team is the one we need to pick, with Bellingham and Foden both in there, a must! But those two need to occupy the central areas, to take the burden off Kane to be creative so he can focus on his goal getting, like at Bayern this season. There is enough defensive balance in this team as even the attackers I’ve selected all play for high pressing sides and know how to work hard off the ball.