Manager Gareth Southgate will likely offer a number of fringe players the chance to impress when England take on Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday night.
The Three Lions boss has announced a 33-player preliminary squad for Euro 2024 last week and, with a few of his regular picks carrying knocks or – in Jude Bellingham’s case – playing in the Champions League final over the weekend, an experimental side could be deployed at St James’ Park.
With a few places in the starting XI for the tournament in Germany up for grabs, here’s the team Southgate could plug for in England‘s first warm-up game.
GK: Jordan Pickford – While a number of other positions are still to be claimed, Everton’s Pickford has been England’s first-choice goalkeeper since 2017, picking up 60 caps in total.
RB: Kyle Walker – The Manchester City cheat code captained his club side over the line in the Premier League title race and may start on Monday night, though an early withdrawal is likely.
CB: John Stones – With Harry Maguire not yet fit to feature, Stones should start at centre-back to offer another experienced head in defence alongside Walker.
CB: Marc Guehi – One of four Crystal Palace stars named in the preliminary squad, Guehi is approaching double figures in England appearances. Lewis Dunk, Ezri Konsa, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah are all alternative options.
LB: Kieran Trippier – This is a position Trippier could fill for most of the summer, with Luke Shaw facing a dramatic race to recover in injury in time for Euro 2024.
CM: Adam Wharton – The 20-year-old Palace midfielder has made an impressive start to life in the Premier League and may well continue his rise with a first international appearance.
CM: Declan Rice – The former West Ham United captain enjoyed a lung-busting first campaign with Arsenal. His national team’s hopes this summer may well linger on Rice’s performances.
RW: Cole Palmer – The breakout Chelsea star largely featured in a central role at Stamford Bridge but could be shunted out to the right.
AM: Conor Gallagher – Gallagher’s tenacity in midfield could be a major feature for the Three Lions over the summer, with a midfield place alongside Rice and Bellingham at stake. Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Maddison, Kobbie Mainoo and Curtis Jones will all want to feature, too.
LW: Eberechi Eze – Perhaps the most in-form player at Southgate’s disposal following a fantastic end to the season at Selhurst Park, Eze ought to get the chance to show he deserves a place in the final 26-player squad for Euro 2024.
ST: Ollie Watkins – With Harry Kane ending his first term with Bayern Munich with a back problem, the stage is set for either Watkins or Ivan Toney to stake their claim as his understudy. The Aston Villa forward is likely to get the nod to start with.
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