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Euro 2024: Who starts England's opener - do you agree with our pundits?

Last updated on .From the section EnglandBBC Russian1258

Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Declan Rice
Who would you pick to start for England at Euro 2024?

Next stop Euro 2024.

The next squad England boss Gareth Southgate will be picking is his selection for Germany, so who makes his starting XI for the Three Lions' opener against Serbia on 16 June?

There are no more friendlies left before the provisional squad is named on May 21 but, with the domestic season entering its finale, there are plenty of players still with points to prove.

We asked former England and Blackburn striker Chris Sutton, ex-Man City midfielder Michael Brown, ex-Arsenal defender Matt Upson, BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty and BBC Sport columnist and Spanish football expert Guillem Balague who they would pick for the big kick off.

We also want you to pick your starting XI below.

Chris Sutton's starting England XI

Chris Sutton: Gareth Southgate will pick Harry Maguire if he's fit but I have been really impressed by Joe Gomez this season, wherever he has played in Liverpool's defence, and I want to pick him. Bukayo Saka is on the right flank in my team but Phil Foden has to be in there somewhere - I've put him on the left - and the big decision was who gets the extra midfield spot. I want to be attack-minded but I'm not putting Trent Alexander-Arnold in there, I'm going with James Maddison.

Michael Brown's XI

Michael Brown: We don't have a natural player who would be our number one on the left-hand side. It's a slight concern because it's not as clear-cut as other areas of the pitch. I think, if we're talking on current form, then Cole Palmer gets the nod for me. There is one other curveball. Does Southgate see Alexander-Arnold in that other midfield spot? If he does, then that would release Foden out on to the left. Could Jarrad Branthwaite be in it instead of Maguire? He's going to have to go some to take him out because of the experience Maguire has got and the way he is performing.

Matt Upson's England XI

Matt Upson: I'm going with John Stones and Harry Maguire in the centre of defence because they have a good understanding together and great experience and also I don't think anyone is challenging them enough. It is a bit trickier for who plays alongside Declan Rice but I like the look of Kobbie Mainoo, a great addition to the squad. He has the energy and character and I think he has the mentality to deal with that level.

Guillem Balague's England XI

Guillem Balague: England go into the the Euros with probably the strongest squad in Europe at the moment. Most of the squad picks itself. Maguire will start because Southgate likes him very much and he is probably the best option he has in the centre of defence along with Stones at the moment. The only problems are the last midfield place and just who to play at left-back. I would play Maddison behind Harry Kane and I'd have Kieran Trippier (if fit) at left-back replacing him with Gomez if he isn't (that is if Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell are not ready either).

Phil McNulty's XI

Phil McNulty: England will need to be bold in Germany so, with that in mind, I think Southgate should make Manchester United's brilliant 18-year-old Mainoo part of his starting line-up against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen. Mainoo showed on his first start against Belgium he has the temperament and talent for international football, his partnership with Rice providing the perfect platform for the outstanding Jude Bellingham to flourish. So why hold him back?

I will qualify this line-up by saying there was a reluctance to select Maguire in central defence and I would have preferred it if someone had produced a compelling case to replace him. We know Southgate will pick him alongside Stones barring injury so he is included here despite reservations.

Now it's your turn...

Your England XI for Euro 2024

Select your England XI for their Euro 2024 opener

Comments

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1258 comments

  • Comment posted by Cole, at 09:38 27 Mar

    Is it crazy to say Chris Sutton got it right for once? No Maguire or Chilwell in defence, an attacking midfield, and the best talent on the flanks. I'd be pleased to see us line up that way - although Southgate would never.

    • Reply posted by The Trawlerman, at 09:59 27 Mar

      The Trawlerman replied:
      I’d be amazed if Shaw was fit for the Euros and I wouldn’t want Chilwell either, so it would be Gomez at left back for me. So for who goes in centre back, either Tomori or Maguire

  • Comment posted by Bob Todd, at 10:55 27 Mar

    We can debate on this as much as we like but Southgate will revert to type and it will be the same old players and he'll still expect to win. No chance.

    • Reply posted by The Smythe, at 14:25 27 Mar

      The Smythe replied:
      Southgate refused to play this pick a team game because it doesn't give the option to pick a 1-10-0-0 formation.

  • Comment posted by Andrew Millichap , at 09:48 27 Mar

    I’ve just picked my England team but I think the flag is wrong 😄

    • Reply posted by shieldsy, at 11:57 27 Mar

      shieldsy replied:
      And so it begins

  • Comment posted by mitchellman, at 10:33 27 Mar

    Many pundits picking Maguire and Chilwell. Very strange. Chilwell may make my squad (though doubtful) simply because of the lack of natural left back options. Maguire wouldn't, especially when we have players like Gomez, Branthwaite, Guehi and Tomori (Maguire may not even make my 5th choice)

    • Reply posted by JahLion, at 10:40 27 Mar

      JahLion replied:
      Chilwell has never been a top class full back and due to his unfortunate run of serious injuries he has lost that extra yard of pace he once had. I'm not sure he would make my squad. It might sound strange but I would pick Trippier ahead of him as LB.

  • Comment posted by smokey, at 10:13 27 Mar

    Maguire!!!!! You must be kidding.

    • Reply posted by Mason2016, at 10:20 27 Mar

      Mason2016 replied:
      Have you seen anyone better this weekend?

  • Comment posted by True Shrew, at 09:36 27 Mar

    Kobbie Mainoo looks an excellent addition to the squad, England's defence looks weak, good sides open us up far too easily.

    • Reply posted by Numbering, at 12:04 27 Mar

      Numbering replied:
      That's why Southgate plays more negatively than most on here would like.

      In tournament football, it's smarter to focus on keeping a clean sheet and hope a moment of brilliance from Kane or Bellingham will nick it than it is to put in more attacking players that take risks. The second option could see England ending up 4-0 down before Bellingham is able to get a late consolation goal

  • Comment posted by reesgildea, at 10:56 27 Mar

    Please don't play McGuire or Chilwell, too many mistakes and lack of confidence

    • Reply posted by matt, at 13:04 27 Mar

      matt replied:
      had a clean sheet when those 2 were on the field

  • Comment posted by hmmurdoch, at 11:15 27 Mar

    Needs to start Stones with Branthwaite. Amazes me JB wasn't on the park at any time over the 2 games. Dunk was shown up, and is 30 odd. JS & JB are both good in the air and on the deck, quick on the turn and in a straight line, and can play out if needed. But no, play a Maguire clone for the 90 mins and learn nothing about one of the most promising CBs in the league at the moment. Annoying.

    • Reply posted by kc777, at 12:02 27 Mar

      kc777 replied:
      I'm a Brighton fan and I agree with you. Dunk hasn't been at his best all season. Time to give Brainthwaite a go.

  • Comment posted by Casper, at 11:19 27 Mar

    The 2 that chose Chilwell, what have they been smoking!

    • Reply posted by Brian Russell, at 12:08 27 Mar

      Brian Russell replied:
      Are there any other English left backs who are not injured? Chilwell, it seems that he is the only fit left back England have at the moment. Saka has played a few games for Arsenal at left back, maybe play Saka at left back and bring in Bowen or Palmer up top.

  • Comment posted by No, at 11:01 27 Mar

    Wouldn't play Maddsion, Chilwell or Maguire..... It would have been good to see Branthwaite against Belgium....!!

    • Reply posted by Steve, at 19:14 27 Mar

      Steve replied:
      The same Maddison who makes things happen whenever he plays, and is always looking for the positive option rather than going backwards like most of the others do? Okay.

  • Comment posted by PetreDyche, at 11:39 27 Mar

    Watching the dynamic attack last night just further cemented the opinion that Jordan Henderson adds absolutely nothing to this side. All this talk of needing him in the dressing room is utter garbage, these guys are professionals who play at a higher level than him.

    • Reply posted by Queensman, at 15:29 27 Mar

      Queensman replied:
      So take him as a member of the coaching team and free up a slot for a younger midfielder

  • Comment posted by neil moxon, at 09:52 27 Mar

    England have the best midfielder in the world in Bellingham pick the right midfield so he do his magic.

    • Reply posted by jpppp, at 10:20 27 Mar

      jpppp replied:
      Get trent in the team somehow so he can whip balls into Jude running into the box late. It's literally how he gets most of his goals for Madrid and we have one of the best passers in world football to utilise.

      Walker/Shaw is obviously the best english fullbacks for international football, for the defense, but we do loose crossing ability with them playing.

  • Comment posted by United States of Whatever, at 09:35 27 Mar

    Not many have room for Palmer.
    And Balague's selection is laughable with Bellingham alongside Rice.
    How can they justify Maguire? Mistake after mistake.
    While it's true that tournaments are usually won by team with best defence, we won't win the Euros because of our defence, our best bet is to try and outscore the opposition 4-3 rather than win 1-0.

    • Reply posted by jamois, at 11:03 27 Mar

      jamois replied:
      Respectfully, no it’s far from laughable. He is so talented he can play anywhere. We need his talent to link the midfield. England are not RM. Balague understands this. And I’ll bet he watches him far more than you do.

  • Comment posted by God, at 14:06 27 Mar

    First mistake Pickford has made in 60 caps that’s led to a goal. Bit harsh to slag him.

    • Reply posted by richm, at 15:54 27 Mar

      richm replied:
      the mistake was made because too much messing about passing it around at the back cut all that rubbish out the goalkeeper should keep inside his 6yard area

  • Comment posted by jmemour, at 10:50 27 Mar

    I know he's injured at the moment but can't believe Guehi hasn't got a single pick. He's been very good whenever he's pulled on an England shirt and compliments Stones well

    • Reply posted by whosdatdandare, at 11:02 27 Mar

      whosdatdandare replied:
      Nor has Grealish, Rashford, Sterling, Philips, Pope, Konsa, Dunk, Toney, Watkins....but that's why this is just a first 11 and GS can take an entire squad and not a about any one player

  • Comment posted by I_Fear_4_England, at 10:09 27 Mar

    Would be refreshing to see us line up similarly to Chris Sutton’s suggestion, but GS is far too pragmatic not to play 4231. Mainoo has been a bright spark for a lacklustre Utd this year, is the perfect partner for Rice and allows Bellingham off the leash. Agree with many of the Branthwaite comments to, chuck the lad in, Stones will look after him.
    Just a different GK and we’d be set.

    • Reply posted by Tim, at 17:53 27 Mar

      Tim replied:
      A “bright spark” in an average Premier League team hardly cuts it as an England starter.

  • Comment posted by Moss, at 10:09 27 Mar

    When you have to select it yourself you realise just how weak we are in defence of these are the best we have.
    We shouldn't be favourites. But likewise it shouldn't be considered a huge failure not to win the tournament. Semi final is par but one at that stage we have a chance. A 25% chance

    • Reply posted by Mason2016, at 10:23 27 Mar

      Mason2016 replied:
      It's actually a 50% chance. You have a 50% chance of winning the semi and a 50% chance of winning the final.

  • Comment posted by Texjohn, at 11:38 27 Mar

    Best left sided attacker at the moment is Gordon. Yet not one expert has him in their team. Same old failure trying to play "better" players in the wrong position. Mainoo is not an international player YET. Give the boy a break, and stop applying too much pressure on him

    • Reply posted by LupusDrauwulf, at 14:34 27 Mar

      LupusDrauwulf replied:
      Yet he's played twice and not looked out of place. Surely he's a better option than Henderson as the 2nd holding midfielder.

  • Comment posted by 2aez3kce, at 14:15 27 Mar

    Nobody picking Henderson or Philips 🍿

    • Reply posted by God, at 14:20 27 Mar

      God replied:
      Only Mr Bean

  • Comment posted by JahLion, at 10:10 27 Mar

    England are most likely to come unstuck due to a lack of quality on the left side of the back 4. Unlike France, who have every position covered we still have a couple of problem areas.

    • Reply posted by PWebb, at 12:48 27 Mar

      PWebb replied:
      France are playing Pavard and Upamecano
      They have frailties at the back as well

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