GARETH SOUTHGATE will already have his thinking cap on when it comes to how England could line-up at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions cruised through qualifying and attention now turns to the tournament that begins on June 14.
That means players have the remainder of the season to force their way into the England squad.
Southgate has been on the receiving end of criticism after some dull performances in qualifying and his contract is up after the Euros.
However, he has a solid record when it truly matters, guiding England to the semi-final, final and quarter-final in the three major tournaments he has been boss at.
Ahead of the draw for Euro 2024 that takes place on December 2, SunSport have taken a look at how England’s starting XI could look in eight months time.
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1. Southgate’s line-up
Trent Alexander-Arnold is regularly being used as a midfielder by Southgate in recent games – perhaps hinting it could be his place at the Euros.
He has looked accomplished further up the pitch and with the ability the Liverpool man has in possession and at set-pieces, it makes him a serious contender.
With Kavlin Phillips on the bench every week, Jordan Henderson in Saudi Arabia, Conor Gallagher being arguably just short of quality and James Ward-Prowse often overlooked – Alexander-Arnold will fancy his chances.
Southgate does not like to take too many risks in big games and a centre-back partnership of John Stones and Harry Maguire seems his preferred duo.
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Kyle Walker and Luke Shaw offer tournament experience at full-back.
The gaffer might also value the pace of Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka on the counter-attack against stronger opponents.
Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are certain picks.
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2. No Maguire
Harry Maguire has been in and out the Manchester United team this season.
If he cannot nail down a place at his club then Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi may come in.
The 23-year-old has earned the trust of Southgate, starting three of the last four competitive fixtures.
Henderson’s experience and leadership is also liked by the gaffer, who shows no signs of dropping him.
Phil Foden’s talent makes him a potential starter should Rashford’s goal drought continue.
3. No Kane
England fans dread an injury to skipper Kane – but what does Southgate do just in case?
The back-up striker race is impossible to call with Ollie Watkins, Callum Wilson, Eddie Nketiah and maybe even Jarrod Bowen making cases to be the sub No9 at the Euros.
And don’t forget Ivan Toney’s betting ban is over in January and he has the second-half of the season to force his way into the Three Lions manager’s thinking.
At the moment, Watkins seems to be leading the race with six goals and five assists in 12 Premier League games.
Meanwhile, Phillips, Ben Chilwell and Kieran Trippier could all remain rotation options as the tournament progresses.
4. Three at the back
Southgate deployed a back-three as England nearly went all the way at the 2018 World Cup.
There’s not many better wing-backs in the game than Reece James and he is a viable option should he overcome persistent injury problems.
Walker has tucked into a back-three before and impressed.
5. Attack Attack Attack
Many fans have demanded more attacking football from England to get the best out of our array of talent in forward areas.
Trippier’s crossing ability would help with that and Rice can sit deep in midfield to allow Bellingham and James Maddison to run the show and create in midfield, with the help of Phil Foden or Jack Grealish.
With players like this in the starting XI, England will want the ball as much as possible.
Lewis Dunk is comfortable in possession and can when start attacks by playing passes through the lines into the exciting front line.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
