Gareth Southgate is faced with some key selection dilemmas ahead of United’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on Sunday.
England will be without Harry Maguire for the first time in a major tournament under Southgate, leaving the manager with a big choice to make on who to partner John Stones at centre-back, while the left-back position is also in question.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has finally got his chance to play in a major tournament but will he start in midfield? Conor Gallagher, Kobe Mainu and Adam Wharton are also in the running for a spot in the midfield.
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Michael Dawson selects England’s starting XI for Euro 2024 opener against Serbia
The attacking line is loaded with talent but the question is how to find the right balance with the players available. Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden make compelling cases to start as number 10 but let’s not forget Cole Palmer.
Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen could also offer Southgate something different.
Here, Sky Sports journalists select their starting XI for Sunday’s clash with Serbia at 8pm…
“You combine Foden with Bellingham and add the industry of Gallagher and you’re off to a good start.”
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:
After a brutal final defeat to Iceland, Gareth Southgate will be desperate to field his strongest XI on Sunday to get England’s Euros campaign off to a strong start, and this is his chance to do just that given the challenge that Serbia will pose.
Winning their opening game won’t be easy – Serbia have low expectations and a manager under pressure – but they have some dangerous players – but Kieran Trippier has defensive nous to hold Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in check as a substitute at left-back, and Conor Gallagher not only dominates a relatively weak central midfield, but also returns to help Kyle Walker, along with Serbia danger man Dusan Tadic.
With Strahinja Pavlovic on the right of a back three likely to restrict Bukayo Saka’s progress, passing down the left wing looks set to be England’s route to success, where Phil Foden could provide some exciting link-ups down the wing with Jude Bellingham charging forward as a number eight.
“It’s time for Trent to shine in midfield.”
Nick Wright of Sky Sports:
I’d love to see Trent Alexander-Arnold in action at this tournament and I’d like to see him in midfield against Serbia. The fact he’s been given the number 8 shirt hopefully shows that manager Gareth Southgate thinks the same way. His vision and passing ability could be a game-changing force against teams who are likely to play with deeper reserves in the group stages.
The defence is a worry, not so much because of Marc Guehi, who has been in good form alongside John Stones in Harry Maguire’s absence, but because of the situation at left-back, where Kieran Trippier is narrowly beaten by Joe Gomez but is clearly a weak spot whilst awaiting the return of Luke Shaw.
Given Jude Bellingham’s importance, he will be in my team immediately, despite the sudden switch from the Champions League final, meaning Phil Foden will move to the left wing, while Bukayo Saka, frequently rated as England’s best player, is the obvious choice on the right.
“Palmer deserves to start at No. 10.”
Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh:
Trent Alexander-Arnold has excelled in a more roaming role further forward, but England’s lack of full-backs means he has to get where he’s needed and can still be effective.
Marc Guehi has become a reliable partner alongside John Stones and was one of England’s few bright lights in a dismal performance against Iceland.
Cole Palmer has been placed in my XI in a midfield role but could also start on the wing, rotating with the rest of the team, but given his fantastic season and performances for the Three Lions leading up to the tournament he deserves a starting spot.
“The best defense is a good offense”
Sky Sports’ David Richardson:
Attack! Attack! Attack, attack, attack! Gareth Southgate has too many forward options and now is the time to use them.
England will be looking to make their presence felt against Serbia with Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden thriving in midfield and a more forward approach.
Eberechi Eze deserves to start on the left wing after his performance against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Anthony Gordon ready to take his place and charge at tired defenders. The same can be said for Cole Palmer, who needs to be used in place of either Bukayo Saka or Foden to improve the goal difference. Substitutes need to be introduced early to be effective.
Kyle Walker could slot into midfield alongside Declan Rice to contain the opposition and negate any counter-attacks, allowing Kieran Trippier to slot in comfortably at left-back.
Now it’s England’s turn, with a strengthened defence, to outscore you by not one but three points!
“Gomez and Wharton start, Rice takes another step forward”
Sky Sports’ Richard Morgan:
Essentially, England’s starting XI for the Serbia match has been narrowed down to three positions – centre-back, number six and right-wing forward – with the remaining eight positions already decided.
Joe Gomez’s experience, reliability and speed have made him my pick to partner John Stones at the heart of the England backline, while a now-fit Bukayo Saka managed to fend off a challenge from Cole Palmer to claim a place in a three-man forward line.
However, in order to move Declan Rice, who excelled at Arsenal last season, closer to the opposition goal as a No.8, I have opted for 20-year-old Adam Wharton, making his first competitive appearance for his country as a defensive midfielder and helping Serbia put out fires at the front of the defence.
“England would benefit from giving Bellingham some extra rest.”
Sky Sports’ Ben Ground said:
I expect England to finish as group winners, so with that in mind I’d give Jude Bellingham a sabbatical after a long season with Real Madrid.
Gareth Southgate can be ruthless but also sensitive towards promising young players, so it would not be a surprise to see Bellingham drop to the bench.
He has looked exhausted over the past month and did not play in either leg of the Champions League semi-final or the match against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
Cole Palmer is best suited for these early Tests in the No.10 role to give Bellingham time to get back to his best.
Marc Guehi has been deployed alongside John Stones at centre-back and Southgate will be hoping that pairing will continue throughout the tournament.
With Harry Maguire unavailable, there has been growing anxiety in the camp about who will partner Stones, but the sooner the back four is established the better England’s chances.
“The stable Konsa should be Stones’ partner in defence.”
Sky Sports’ Ginny Boswell:
The big decision here was who to partner John Stones and my vote goes to Ezri Konsa, whose steady and consistent performances in a team that builds from the back make him the perfect fit.
Kieran Trippier has been brought in at left-back following Luke Shaw’s injury and while his form is a concern at the end of the season, if he can return to his best he would make a solid back four.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has proven himself a must-have in this team and the midfield trio of him, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham looks fearsome on paper. It’s untested and risky, but England need his creativity to beat teams in the group stage.
The front four hardly needs any explanation: Bellingham needs to play further forward and can’t fall into the usual trap of forcing their best player in at the risk of losing balance.
If any of the three behind Harry Kane disappoint, Cole Palmer will be close behind and there is every chance he could replace either Phil Foden or Bukayo Saka in the tournament.
“Mainu has proven he can handle big situations.”
Sky Sports’ Dan Sansom:
With Harry Maguire out, Marc Guehi is the perfect option to partner John Stones in defence. Guehi is accustomed to playing on the left wing at Crystal Palace and, although he has little international experience, has already won 11 caps since making his debut two years ago and is worthy of taking the next step.
Kieran Trippier is an adequate replacement for the injured Luke Shaw at left-back, while Coby Mainu should start alongside Declan Rice in midfield. The 19-year-old Mainu has been fast-tracked into the first team but his performances against Brazil and Belgium in March and in Manchester United’s FA Cup final, in which he was named MVP, have shown he can compete on the big stage.
Attacking, Phil Foden is more effective in a central position, but that position is occupied by Jude Bellingham. With both players required to start, Foden will start on the left wing. Foden can still have a devastating impact as long as he is given the freedom to dribble inside.
“Trent will start alongside Rice.”
Sky Sports’ Sam Britz:
England’s back five doesn’t have too many problems – Marc Guehi’s recent performances for England suggest he is more than capable in that position, while Kieran Trippier played at left-back in the opening match of Euro 2020, so it’s not an entirely unfamiliar position for him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold should play in central midfield alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, with Rice and Bellingham bringing energy to the midfield with their running, and Alexander-Arnold being a master of the pass.
The range of Liverpool players on the ball could be crucial in making the Three Lions more unpredictable as they try to beat teams lower in the block in the group stage.
