Who should start for England? Experts make their picks

Lee Carsley continues his audition for the England manager’s job against Greece at Wembley on Thursday night with a host of selection issues on his mind.

At the Euros last summer, Gareth Southgate fielded players in unfamiliar positions to get more of the squad’s attacking talent into the side — and they rewarded him by reaching the final. But with Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka in blistering form, will there still be places for Premier League player of the season Phil Foden and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham?

The picture in defence is no clearer, with no out-and-out left back in the squad and injuries to several centre backs.

On top of that, Kyle Walker’s form for Manchester City and England is a worry.

Chris Sutton

I'd give John Stones the nod against Greece, even if he hasn’t been starting for Manchester City, alongside the impressive Marc Guehi.

Rico Lewis at left back, because who else is there other than shoehorning in Levi Colwill?

You need to have Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer in this team, so I’ve placed one next to Declan Rice and the other at No 10 where he can do what he’s been doing so impressively for Chelsea ever since he moved to Stamford Bridge.

Sami Mokbel

Trent Alexander-Arnold did enough in the last two matches to continue at right back. Kyle Walker has the experience to fill in at left back.

Jude Bellingham as the box-to-box midfielder, next to Declan Rice as the deepest-lying midfielder, allows Lee Carsley to get Phil Foden and Cole Palmer into his team.

Ollie Watkins deserves a shot at replacing Harry Kane in the No 9 role with the captain a doubt.

Craig Hope

Get Cole Palmer in his best position at No 10 and go from there.

Anthony Gordon showed in Dublin the threat he provides on the left and Bukayo Saka on the opposite flank gives the team the balance it missed at the Euros.

As for Jude Bellingham, he should be good enough to impact from a deeper midfield role, especially if Declan Rice offers an anchoring presence.

Ollie Watkins, if Harry Kane is injured, is a logical choice but he needs to show more in an England shirt.

Jack Gaughan

Lee Carsley is not averse to using a false nine — as he showed by playing Anthony Gordon in that role when he was Under 21s boss — and if Harry Kane doesn’t recover in time to face Greece, then there is a way to get all of those attacking players into a system.

Selecting Phil Foden there also navigates the issue of who Cole Palmer displaces.

Jack Grealish is perfect for Carsley’s brand of football off the left flank.