Believe it or not, it is now fewer than 150 days until England get their Euro 2020 (UEFA is insistent
that the year stays, even though it is Euro 2021) campaign underway on 13 th June against Croatia.
Gareth Southgate’s side are considered 5/1 joint-favourites for the event, alongside Belgium, even
though results weren’t great over the autumn and winter.
But the England squad boasts a massive amount of talent; perhaps the greatest squad depth of any
England set up in a generation. There are problems areas to be sure, and nobody is calling England
perfect. But they will look at the group fixtures, along with neighbours Scotland, and agree with the
consensus that the
home nations can prosper in Euros Group D. For Scotland, success would mean
reaching the knockout stages. But for the Auld Enemy, England, nothing less than reaching the Final
would be seen as sufficient by Southgate and the fans.
And yet, perhaps ironically, it might be England’s squad depth that holds them back. Southgate does
not seem to have a settled line-up in mind, and pundits disagree both in who should start for the
Three Lions and what formation Southgate should play. As far as we can see, there are only five
‘undroppables’ in this England team – a quintet for whom it would be a shock to be left out of the
starting line-up. Below we look at those players who are (almost) guaranteed to start against
Croatia:
Harry Kane
The captain and talisman is the first name on Southgate’s team sheet. There is zero doubt that – if
not injured –
Harry Kane will start. Now, there is good news and bad news for the England camp
concerning Kane. The good news is that he has been in incredible form for Spurs this season, scoring
with abandon but also forging a new role as a creator (Kane leads the Premier League in assists). The
bad news is that his England form went off the boil in 2020 – no goals for the striker for his country
last year. If he can bring the club form to the Euros, however, England have a chance.
Raheem Sterling
It might surprise some to see Sterling on this list given that he has competition from a range of
players including Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho
and Jack Grealish. However, Southgate, like Pep
Guardiola, believes in Sterling. He is vastly experienced, even though he is just 26. In fact, Sterling
joins Jordan Henderson as the most capped (58) player on the England team. Southgate will find a
way to fit the Man City player into his system.
Harry Maguire
It’s been fashionable to criticise Harry Maguire of late, and Manchester United fans are still
wondering whether their captain is the man to lead them into a new era of success. However,
Maguire is a different beast in an England shirt, and his performances have been roundly excellent
over the last few years. He fits well into Southgate’s three-man central defensive system, but he will
still start if Southgate reverts to a flat back four.
Declan Rice
The youngest and least-experienced player on this list so far. But Rice has two things going for him
that should make his a definite starter. Firstly, he is very, very good. While West Ham are on the up
this season, we would not be surprised to see Rice make a mega-money
move to a team like Manchester United.
Secondly, he does not have much competition for his position as England’s
defensive midfield screener. Rice will have a lot of pressure on young shoulders at the Euros, but he
looks like he can handle it.
Ben Chilwell
If you were expecting to see Jordan Henderson as the final name on this list, then sorry to disappoint
you. While a likely starter, Henderson could fall afoul of a tactical rethink from Southgate, which is
something that several pundits are calling for. Chilwell seems to have the left-back position locked
up for England, as, like Rice, he has little competition. He has also been one of Chelsea’s star
performers this season.