Gareth Southgate should choose this England team for Euro 2024 | Football Blog

England have come close to securing major success several times under manager Gareth Southgate only to come up short in the end. 

The Three Lions lost the 2018 World Cup semi final to Croatia following Mario Mandžukić’s extra-time winner at the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia. 

Another heartbreak followed for Southgate’s men when Italy defeated them on penalties in the European Championship final in 2021 at the Wembley Stadium. 

And in the 2022 World Cup, the English team were knocked out of the tournament after a 2-1 quarter final loss to France. 

The 2024 European Championship will probably be Southgate’s last chance for winning silverware with England. 

The English boss has been accused by fans to be too loyal to his preferred players but he must pick the best side this time to increase their chances of success in Germany this summer. 

However, the 53-year-old’s current focus will be England’s fixtures in March which will see them take on Brazil and Belgium in two friendlies.  

England’s strongest XI for Euro 2024 

Jordan Pickford has been a top goalkeeper for England over the years and so he must start in goal for the coming European Championship. 

Meanwhile, John Stones and Marc Guehi would be excellent partners in central defence. Stones has been playing well for City this season, but Guehi faces a race to be fit for the Euros following a knee surgery. 

The experienced Kyle Walker should play at right-back while Luke Shaw would be perfect for the other fullback spot, even though his availability is doubtful due to injury issues.  

Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and James Maddison have a strong claim for the three midfield positions as they all have been excellent for their respective clubs this season. 

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford has regressed this term and so Phil Foden should start on the left wing, with the in-form forward Bukayo Saka on the right. 

England have many top strikers but Harry Kane’s position looks completely secure, with the 30-year-old scoring an incredible 31 goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances this season. 

England: Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Stones, Shaw; Bellingham, Rice, Maddison; Foden, Kane, Saka