MY ENGLAND 11 TO START AGAINST IRAN
KEEPER JORDAN PICKFORD
The public perception of Pickford is great for England, terrible with Everton.
I’ve been at Everton now for almost 18 months and that has not been the case.
He’s probably been the best player over the course of my time at the club.
If it wasn’t for him, Everton would probably be in the Championship now.
As for England, his experience, his reading of the game and his ability to pull off top saves at crucial points was vital in helping them to get to within touching distance of the final in 2018, then within a penalty kick of winning the Euros last year.
RIGHT WING-BACK
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
In an ideal world Reece James would be there. But with him being injured and Kyle Walker doubtful, especially in the group stage, I’d go for Trent.
With the added protection of the back three, the asset of him going forward would be massive for England and helping England to be more creative. They haven’t been that creative going forward in the last few games but to have Trent’s ability to deliver balls into the box will definitely be useful.
LEFT WING-BACK LUKE SHAW
To be honest, another process of elimination. Unfortunately, Ben Chilwell is injured. But England’s strength in depth means Luke is a natural choice to fill in again.
He excelled in the Euros when his inclusion was questioned and I’m sure that both he and Gareth will be full of confidence going into this tournament.
Erik ten Hag has helped with that with Manchester United’s improved form, and now it’s there for Luke.
RIGHT-SIDED CENTRE-BACK BEN WHITE
He’d have been out of the side if Kyle Walker was fit because Kyle has the speed and the experience to cope with any opponent.
But with Kyle out he deserves his chance. He’s been terrific for Arsenal this season at right-back but I’d have Trent there. Ben has already shown, though, that he is versatile enough to do a good job on the right of a three.
MIDDLE CENTRE-BACK JOHN STONES
This is a tight one. I’d probably go for John. But having watched Eric Dier for the last two games I’d say he’s close – really close. If Kyle Walker isn’t fit then Eric could easily fill in.
But I’d go with John Stones based on previous experience at major tournaments.
LEFT-SIDED CENTRE-BACK HARRY MAGUIRE
It’s got to be. He’s a player that’s had a load of stick but people talk about game time – going into the last Euros he was out for six weeks.
He didn’t play any of the warm-up games and didn’t play the first two group games.
He came in for the third game and ended up being in UEFA’s team of the tournament.
So we know he can do it without being match fit. It’s just whether the public get behind him and back him like they have done in the last two major tournaments, even though they probably wouldn’t have picked him to start either one of them.
Hopefully, once the tournament starts, if he is backed again he can show everyone what he can do.
MIDFIELD JUDE BELLINGHAM
Initially I was worried Jude and Declan could be too attacking when you need out-and-out holders – either a Henderson or a Phillips.
But watching Bellingham and Rice together in the last few games, Bellingham can do it all.
He can defend if he needs to, and attack if he needs to. He can press, he can tackle, he’s got it all. So he might be just 19 but I’d have no problems going into a major tournament with Bellingham in the starting line-up.
MIDFIELD DECLAN RICE
He is an automatic pick, no doubt about it.
He has grown as a player over the last few years and he is one of the first names on the team sheet for England.
RIGHT WIDE FORWARD BUKAYO SAKA
Saka on the right, coming in on to his left foot is just lethal. When you play with Arsenal, you play with pressure every week and he just relishes it.
He makes goals, he scores goals and he’d be in for me ahead of Raheem Sterling on current form. Raheem has just dipped at the wrong time while the others have been unbelievable.
LEFT WIDE FORWARD PHIL FODEN
I like them both on the right but I’d probably go with Foden off the left because he can come into pockets. He scores goals, creates space for himself superbly well and knows how to win tournaments and titles.
STRIKER HARRY KANE
England need to work harder – much harder – on a way to get the best out of Harry Kane in an England shirt. That means bodies closer to him who can supply him or pull defenders out of position. They need Foden closer, and they need
Saka closer.
If England are going to win the
World Cup
(yep, I’ve said it!), then they really need runners off Harry when he drops deep. They can’t have him getting to the second round like they did in the Euros without scoring.
Gareth needs the right combination of artists behind
Harry to unlock the doors he will face in the group. It could well be Sterling and Grealish. It could be Rashford. He is blessed with options. England need the right combination to get Harry firing in an England shirt because they know that if he does get the ammunition, he will score.