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.