Predicting the England Starting 11 for Euro 2021

The postponement of Euro 2020 has given Gareth Southgate another year to prepare for the tournament. In all likelihood, this will be a good thing for England’s young squad with the chance to develop further over the coming season.

A lot will change in the months ahead but here’s a look at our predicted line up for next summer’s European Championships.

One big question still remains about the goalkeeper situation, with Dean Henderson tipped to replace Jordan Pickford. If the tournament was 2020 as scheduled, Pickford would have probably kept his place but after another 12 months of action under his belt, Manchester United’s Dean Henderson could get the nod. It is likely he would have to go back out on loan though or make a permanent move from his parent club. 

The central defensive places have been a long-standing talking point but hopefully, Liverpool’s Joe Gomez will be an established England international by the time Euro 2021 comes around. He is learning from the best in Virgil Van Dijk and will only improve between now and the rearranged European Championships. 

In midfield, we will see Jordan Henderson as a likely starter but the other places are up for grabs, with Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain tipped to get a start and Jack Grealish could edge out James Maddison and Phil Foden for the other place in the middle.

England’s strength is likely to be in the front three, hopefully, we will have Jadon Sancho in the Premier League next season and Harry Kane back fit. These two and Raheem Sterling provide a fantastic option for Gareth Southgate and the likes of Marcus Rashford, Callum Hudson-Odi and Mason Greenwood could be suitable back-ups. 

 

England Starting 11 for Euro 2021

 

GK – Dean Henderson

The on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper has had an excellent debut Premier League campaign with Sheffield United, carrying on from where he left off in the Championship. By the end of next season, he may be competing with David de Gea and will certainly hope to have usurped an error-prone Jordan Pickford for England.

LB – Ben Chilwell

England’s left-back spot is fairly uncontested at the time of writing and should remain so a year on. Potentially playing in the Champions League with Leicester will only strengthen Chilwell’s place in the starting XI.

CB – Harry Maguire

The £80m Manchester United captain looks unlikely to lose his place in the starting line-up. Maguire has emerged with credit during a turbulent season for United and barring injury will start for England.

CB – Joe Gomez

Gomez’s international career took a set back after losing his spot in the Liverpool starting line up at the start of the season. However, it is firmly back on track after an unbelievable run of clean sheets in the heart of the reds defence. Given John Stones’ current predicament, it’s Gomez’s spot to lose.

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold

England are blessed with an array of quality right-backs but Alexander-Arnold cannot be overlooked. His attacking contribution is unparalleled despite improvement from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

CM – Oxlade-Chamberlain

Regular football with Liverpool has brought Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back into the England reckoning. He provides a dynamism that few other England midfielders can offer and looks to be a likely starter come 2021.

CM – Jordan Henderson

Being the Liverpool captain will help Henderson immeasurably when it comes to England selection. His leadership is a huge plus and his performances during the 2019/20 campaign have put him in the conversation for the Premier League Player of the Year.

CM – Jack Grealish

His displays for relegation-threatened Aston Villa have been superb. Southgate obviously has his reservations, but a staring role for the likes of Tottenham next season and he will be hard to ignore.

LW – Raheem Sterling

The left-wing spot is Sterling’s for the foreseeable future. Manchester City will surely improve next season and Sterling will inevitably be a big part of that.

ST – Harry Kane

As long as his legs are working, the England captain will start up front.

RW – Jadon Sancho

A move to the Premier League looks on the cards for Sancho. He’ll be 21 by the time the Euros come around and is only likely to get better.

 

Other Potential England Starters at Euro 2021

Nick Pope, Fikayo Tomori, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Reece James, Declan Rice, James Maddison, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford

 

QUIZ – Name England’s Euro 2016 Squad

Looking back to Roy Hodgson’s last international tournament, how many players can you remember from England’s Euro 2016 squad?

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