Yahoo Sports How England could start against Serbia
We’re just six days out from England’s game against Serbia, and Gareth Southgate faces somewhat of a selection dilemma.
From Southgate’s initial 33-man preliminary Euro 2024 squad, Harry Maguire, Jack Grealish, James Maddison, Jarrad Branthwaite, Curtis Jones, James Trafford, and Jarrell Quansah have all been cut. The biggest question heading into their game against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen is, who will start alongside John Stones?
The obvious answer would have been Maguire, who has been ever-present in Southgate’s tournament squads but at Euro 2024, we’ll see a new look defence. The likely answer would be Marc Guéhi. The Crystal Palace centre-back has started England’s last two games, and has played in seven of England’s last 10 games.
Southgate also faces a decision at left-back. With Luke Shaw short of fitness, it’s likely that Kieran Trippier will start, but another option would be Joe Gomez, who has played that position on occasion for Liverpool this season.
In midfield, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are guaranteed starters, but Palace’s Adam Wharton impressed in his debut, coming on against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trent Alexander-Arnold started against Bosnia, and Kobbie Mainoo against Iceland, with both players making an impression.
With centre-back, left-back and England’s third midfield position, Southgate faces a selection headache.
But the attack largely picks itself. Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden should all start, but should the latter get the third spot in England’s midfield, as opposed to the wide-left, we could see Palace’s Eberechi Eze push his way into the starting eleven.
Predicted England XI vs Serbia
Pickford – Walker, Stones, Guéhi, Trippier – Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Bellingham – Saka, Foden, Kane.
