ENGLANDS STARTING XI

Since the dawn of time, we as a nation are full of patriarchal emotions that run no higher than when our beloved boys in white step on the pitch to represent our great country!

With Southgate now at the helm of the ship in his marvellous waistcoat … I get the feeling we still aren’t choosing players based on their current merit and form alone! So if we was to go to World Cup War tomorrow, based on such circumstances, how would the squad compare to the previous World Cup in Russia!

Now before we start. These squads are being compared from the semi final against Croatia (5-3-2), compared to the most recent fixtures against Denmark (3-4-2-1).

GK: Jordan Pickford 🔁 Nick Pope

Jordan Pickford is undeniably a good goal keeper having earned his space in the international set up. However a season full of career threatening blunders isn’t painting his image well. Nick pope would be my first choice GK for any upcoming tournament. At 28 years old the Burnley #1 has solidified his spot in the premier league as one of the top GKs having finished 2nd in the golden glove with 15 clean sheets! Only beaten by Man City’s Ederson with 16.

RCB: Kyle Walker 🔁 Joe Gomez

Our first part of the back 3 unfortunately speaks for itself. Kyle Walker is an amazing defender for club and country however, with the current squad I feel it’s safer to have 3 centre halves to sure things up. And with Gomez helping lead Liverpool to champions league and premier league success he has earned a spot in the starting 11.

CB: Harry Maguire 🔁 Conor Coady

Conor Coady has been instrumental in Wolves success in the BPL since their jump to the big leagues. An ever present and ever reliable presence, he provides an air of confidence which the back line haven’t been blessed with on the international scene with Maguire and stones not quiet on their game recently.

LCB: John Stones 🔁 Tyrone Mings

4 players in and already 4 changes. Personally I see it as the changing of the guards at St George’s Park. Stones has struggled for regular football since the arrival of Laporte at Man City. With Mings we see a strong, athletic and confident defender who’s also left footed to take control of the left side.

RWB: Kieron Trippier 🔁 TAA

I as well as other will always hold the “bury beckham” in my heart for that wonderful free kick he delivered against the Croatians. However similarly to his former Tottenham team mate Walker, you can not have TAA after the previous 2 seasons he’s had. Fortunately we’re swapping like for like with these 2 as both are equally as good going forward as the other.

LWB: Ashley Young 🔁 Bukayo Saka

Having joined Inter Milan you kind of forget Ashley Young is still playing. However a young lad from Hale End has earned himself his England debut. And we must say we like it! Having looked liked one of Arsenals most exciting players last season and helping lead them to FA cup and Community Shield trophies over Liverpool this coming year already the youngster is slowly but surely making more and more of a household name for himself. We wish him luck! Ben Chillwell narrowly missing out due to his slight lack of game time since joining Chelsea and lesser domestic success last season.

CDM: Jordan Henderson (C)

It’s took us 6 players!! But we finally have someone who has retained their spot in the starting 11. Jordan Henderson has undoubtedly got what it takes to control the midfield and be disciplined enough to lead the squad by example, that’s why we choose him as our captain! And theirs only 1 major trophy left for Jordan to stake claim to having the league and champions league already *cough cough*

CDM: Deli Alli 🔁 Kalvin Phillips

Yes we know alli isn’t a CDM but due to the formation changed we’ve had to list him in this position. Now there’s a strong claim for Declan Rice to be in this area of the field. However, Phillips has already played against the top 2 this season and bossed it against Liverpool and City and having just got his side promoted, this naturally dominant and ball playing midfielder is exactly the kinda player England could use. Plus with the 2 naturally defensive wing backs we could use a forward thinking ball player in the centre of the park to balance Henderson’s role.

LS: Jessie Lingard 🔁 Jason Sancho

Even United fans will say this choice chooses itself, the the later option in United’s sites to replace the former. Jadon Sancho is arguably the most exciting young prospect in world football and is dominating the bundesliga having netted an impressive 17 goals and 16 assists last season at the tender age of just 20 years old! Future England Legend in the making maybe?

RS: Raheem Sterling

Undoubtedly one of the best players in the premier league in recent seasons having got progressively better under Pep Guardiola. Sterling achieved a whopping 28 goals for club and country last year and already has 1 goal and assist to his name this season. A clear choice in our eyes. Sterling Remains.

CF: Harry Kane

1 of only 3 players to keep his place in the starting 11 from previous years. Now unfortunately for Dominic Calvert Lewin he just misses out but not to mention the impressive goals tally he’s amounted already (6 goals in 4 games!). However, it’s Harry Kane! He’s still managed a respectable 3 goals in 4 games but has a mammoth 6 assists to match already. 9 goal involvements in 4 games can’t be overlooked.

So their we have it guys our England 11 is as follows;

1: Nick Pope

2: Joe Gomez

3: Conor Coady

4: Tyrone Mings

5: Trent Alexander Arnold

6: Bukayo Saka

7: Jordan Henderson (C)

8: Kalvin Phillips

9: Jadon Sancho

10: Raheem Sterling

11: Harry Kane

Let us know your thoughts in the comments and what changes, if any, you’d make yourself!