Gareth Southgate unveiled his provisional England squad for Euro 2020 on Tuesday afternoon - with a number of players looking to ensure they keep their spots for the start of the tournament.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was handed a reprieve after making the long list and, along with a host of his Three Lions team-mates, will hope to impress boss Southgate to ensure they make the cut.
Faced with a mountain of issues, ranging from injuries to an abundance of choices, Southgate chose to name a larger group, but will be forced to whittle his numbers down in a week's time.
There can be no denying that competition is rife in the squad to be selected for England at this summer's showpiece.
Sportsmail's experts have named the starting XI they would pick for England's opening group game against Croatia...
MICAH RICHARDS (4-3-3)
Sportsmail columnist Micah Richards opted for a 4-3-3 formation. Alexander-Arnold gets the nod from the off in his team, with Mason Mount, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden also starting in a bold, attacking move.
Micah's team: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Mount, Henderson, Foden; Sterling, Kane, Grealish.
MARTIN KEOWN (4-3-3)
Martin Keown has gone for the same system as Micah, but with a few notable personnel changes. Kyle Walker instead lines up at right back, with Ben Chilwell, Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice also among those favoured.
Martin's team: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Phillips, Rice, Mount; Foden, Kane, Sterling.
MARTIN SAMUEL (4-2-3-1)
It's another positive starting XI for Chief Sports Writer Martin Samuel. Martin has Alexander-Arnold down to start, a midfield pivot of Rice and Jordan Henderson, and a three-man attack of Foden, Mount and Grealish supporting Harry Kane.
Martin's team: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Henderson; Foden, Mount, Grealish; Kane.
MATT HUGHES (4-2-3-1)
Chief Sports Reporter Matt Hughes has named almost the same team as Martin Samuel, but has instead selected Walker and Raheem Sterling.
Matt's team: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Henderson, Rice; Sterling, Mount, Foden; Kane.
IAN LADYMAN (4-2-3-1)
Sportsmail's Football Editor Ian Ladyman is the first expert to pick Marcus Rashford to line up against Croatia. To round off his Three Lions side, Chilwell and Walker are his flying full backs.
Ian's team: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Henderson, Rice; Rashford, Mount, Foden; Kane.
DOMINIC KING (4-3-3)
Dominic King would start Jadon Sancho in his team to help Mount and Foden tee up frontman Kane. Mount would also take up a slightly deeper role in his 4-3-3, with the starlet instead next to Henderson and Rice.
Dominic's team: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Henderson, Rice, Mount; Foden, Sancho, Kane.
SAMI MOKBEL (4-2-3-1)
Chief Football Reporter Sami Mokbel would drop Mount and instead start Grealish for his England team to challenge for the Euro 2020 trophy. In his line-up, Sterling also features on the opposite flank.
Sami's team: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Rice, Henderson; Sterling, Foden, Grealish; Kane.
CHRIS SUTTON (4-1-4-1)
Finally, columnist Chris Sutton has selected a daring 4-1-4-1 formation. That would see Henderson dropped entirely, with Rice instead acting as the anchor. In comes Borussia Dortmund sensation Jude Bellingham.
Chris's team: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice; Foden, Mount, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane.
vecabdinuy
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Liamboss
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π₯π₯π₯
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Terrible line up
Liamboss
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Perfect just RW need to change
Findnorsz
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it's the best english Team ever
jeybinosy
0
The formation and X1 for england 4-2-1-3 any idea please?
jeybinosy
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feligospecial
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Best Line-up which can lead to Euro glory πͺ
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kkkk lol! when Guardiola is benching Sterling in every game??? ππππ
vecabdinuy
2
moeabmopsz
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I don't care who plays but they should be rotated to lessen fatigue and injuries to players we need them back to their clubs fit all are stars
moeabmopsz
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I don't care who plays but they should be rotated to lessen fatigue and injuries to players we need them back to their clubs fit
pazabikotu
1
the curse will continue. don't expect them to go beyond quarters
Rav_Brar
0
Foden, Sancho and Grealish need to be utilized in the right way in order for England to be successful at the Euros!
Omar23Super
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Ohhh βΊβΊ Walker replace Arnold
yukclmsuz
0
Chango lineup of England Euro 2021
bluebloods
6
Mount and Foden made all the teams on that list βοΈππ
Govt99
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[image]
joker
TavaChoo
0
Foden will shine at the EURO. May the best team win
tuaesuyz
0
sehajbains_02
1
England has perfect squad to win WC 2026
FranklinD
0
π₯π₯π₯
kohbeioprz
0
what wrong with al ofu guys. for one to be selected u should be well 1st. maguire is not fit
josilva877
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best
josilva877
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Hempeyrorh
3
4-2-3-1
bawadkmnpr
3
England they are the most talking side before every Nation tournement but end up with massive defeats and out of group stagesπππ€£
tabimot
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Itβs coming hooommme!!. Sancho for me. 16 goals and 21 assists this season. Only Kane in that team has better stats
JosephKendima
3
Force to start for the Lion
Jomcdikmnu
0
No one chose sancho,wow
joyeknoru
1
England team for Europe 2021
Kidadtuy
1
IrfaNajeeb
1
you guys argument is justify. no sport expert can pick james ahead of TTA, walker and tripier. reason is that those later has play major tournament with England and james haven't privilege to play major tournament hence all the three are still ahead of him. if Southgate decide to use james and it went well next year of cause sport expert will mention ahead any of the three.
hahahahah no. they couldnt pick james because the others are so much better. end of. James is potentially good. But he is not better than any of those three.
mRack10
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scary isn't itπ
Jeeacdtuyz
1
just ask vinicius, whether Arnold, deserves to b thereπππ
Just ask TIELEMANS if Chelsea deserve the FA cupπππ and ask your Reece James if he has more caps.
rakdmopsuz
1
you guys argument is justify. no sport expert can pick james ahead of TTA, walker and tripier. reason is that those later has play major tournament with England and james haven't privilege to play major tournament hence all the three are still ahead of him. if Southgate decide to use james and it went well next year of cause sport expert will mention ahead any of the three
rakdmopsuz
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Have any of you guys see the name Reece James in there? Hahahaha dont understand why Southgate is so reluctant to drop him when obviously Trent, Trippier and Walker are obviously better than him right now.π€·π½ββοΈπ€―
you guys argument is justify. no sport expert can pick james ahead of TTA, walker and tripier. reason is that those later has play major tournament with England and james haven't privilege to play major tournament hence all the three are still ahead of him. if Southgate decide to use james and it went well next year of cause sport expert will mention ahead any of the three.
Godmoded
0
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cisabcdinu
0
with all these talks about TAA not good enough, with all the probable line ups, nobody mentioned bisaka or James,yet, Southgate thinks he's doing TAA favour.Rubbish hypocrisy
noyadlstz
2
Good
IrfaNajeeb
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just ask vinicius, whether Arnold, deserves to b thereπππ
Hahahhah well said. Cant argue with thatπ But Trent is back to his best now. And do you honestly think as a chelsea fan, James at his best and Trent at his best, James is better? No offense just asking. Id respect it if you think James is better :)
Bornfaceelijah
3
If there is a team that can confuse you make starting XI, is England. I think the only only 3 numbers that are already taken, are the numbers for Kane, Henderson and Maguire, the rest is will give any manage struggle
Jeeacdtuyz
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Best Line-up which can lead to Euro glory πͺ
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You would have played all city's players instead
Jeeacdtuyz
0
eech person include 1 club in starting 11
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You have my support π― but Mount and Foden should swap position
Biafraguy
1
beta
Conbcempuy
1
Conbcempuy
1
each playrler should be include one club
SamNicholas
1
Have any of you guys see the name Reece James in there? Hahahaha dont understand why Southgate is so reluctant to drop him when obviously Trent, Trippier and Walker are obviously better than him right now.π€·π½ββοΈπ€―
just ask vinicius, whether Arnold, deserves to b thereπππ
Conbcempuy
1
eech person include 1 club in starting 11
maecmorsty
2
My dream starting 11 for the three lions
letempuyz
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this should work
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No it wonβt this will
Yidaeknpuy
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experts and they all pick Pickford as keeper he's a shockinggggg keeper i would have chose nick Pope but he isn't even in the squad
injured bro