Gareth Southgate admitted his task of reducing his provisional 33-man squad to just 26 was not helped by a string of impressive performances in England’s 3-0 win over Bosnia.
Players such as Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen and Adam Wharton claimed to be included in the squad that will start England’s European Championship season against Serbia on June 16.
While Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cole Palmer did well to be included in the England bosses starting XI.
But well before their appointment in Gelsenkirchen and even before the final selection of Southgate’s squad, the Three Lions will take on Iceland at Wembley in what promises to be a final audition for several hopefuls.
Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman, Craig Hope and Sami Mokbel share their thoughts on who the sorry seven will be next Friday, before trying to guess how Southgate will line up the troops on opening night.
Gareth Southgate has just one more 90-minute match to decide which 26 players he will take to the European Championships in Germany
The Three Lions face Iceland at Wembley on Friday, where Southgate will confirm his selection
IAN LADYMAN
Dunk has shown he is not quite suited to international football, while Quansah and Branthwaite are only in the training squad as cover. Their time will come. Shaw is England’s best left-back but is not fit and I would prefer Gomez, who can replace Trippier and play in the back four if necessary.
Further forward, Jones is a victim of Wharton’s rise, while Maddison is a player I really like but has been overtaken by other dynamic midfielders who have had better seasons.
So, on to my team. Does it look a bit safe? A bit pragmatic? A bit of Southgate? Yes, but it’s meant to be. As boring as it sounds, game one in a tournament is about being solid, reliable and hard to beat. Lose game one and you’re in trouble.
This is a team designed to get a job done. It’s not about winning 4-0 because you don’t have to, but it’s still good enough to get England off to a great start.
So Gallagher’s legs alongside Rice give England security and physicality and provide some protection to a back four that – due to recent injuries – may need some protection.
And Palmer for Saka? Yes that’s right. Palmer needs to be on this team. Sorry, Bukayo.
Tottenham midfielder James Maddison came on for Cole Palmer for the final 30 minutes of England’s victory at St James’ Park
CRAIG HOPE
I’m assuming Shaw and Maguire are fit and have gone with eight defenders, including Alexander-Arnold, who looked so much better and more influential at right-back against Bosnia. Dunk and Guehi don’t convince me for England and I prefer Gomez and Konsa as cover at center back, with Walker also an option there.
In midfield I would take Wharton as a wildcard for Theo Walcott 2006. He’s going to be a star. My big appeal for the team is to leave Grealish out. Bowen and Eze give you more energy and penetration.
Grealish won’t start and he’s not a game changer anymore, so what’s the point of having him there? Watkins is doing well to survive as he doesn’t look the part in an England shirt, but three strikers is a luxury we can afford.
As for the team, I would play Alexander-Arnold in the group if the job is to break down opponents. I would move Walker to centre-back to play alongside Stones if Maguire isn’t ready. I have to bring in Palmer at the expense of Saka.
Mainoo will be preferred to Gallagher – give him that opener to see how he goes, rather than trying further, that’s my logic. And play Bellingham vs. Kane. They are the two best players in England, so let them build a relationship from the first match.
Jack Grealish is in danger of missing out on Southgate’s final selection after struggling for form and fitness with Manchester City last season
SAMI MOKBEL
Ivan Toney’s poor end to the season, combined with Ollie Watkins’ excellent season, puts the Brentford striker’s place in the squad in jeopardy.
James Maddison has not played well in the last six months and could be sensitive to that. The fact that Ezri Konsa played 90 minutes against Bosnia will also make Joe Gomez sweat in his seat.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney will be hoping to get his chance to impress on Friday after failing to come off the bench against Bosnia
In my XI to start the tournament, Alexander-Arnold in midfield is the biggest call-up here. That is of course a risk, given his lack of experience in that area. But, with all due respect to Serbia, it is a match England should win.
Slotting the Liverpool man into a week’s start on Sunday would provide Southgate with a safe platform to put his Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment to its toughest test yet.