High Press Episode 9: What’s the perfect England starting XI for Euro 2024?

High Press Episode 9:

Episode 9 of High Press focuses on Euro 2024, England and Scotland’s chances and the starting XI Gareth Southgate should pick for the tournament.

Host Alison Bender is joined by Mark Ogden, Ollie Holt and Steve Bates to analyse the options for the England XI and take a look at a few players pushing to make the final squad.

England’s easy group

Beginning the episode with a look at England and Scotland’s groups, there was agreement that England should cruise through Group C, while Holt thinks Scotland have a chance against Germany in the opening game. Bender described the opening match between Germany and Scotland in Munich as a ‘cracker’.

Scotland’s Euro 24 chances

Ogden also seemed to fancy Scotland’s chances, despite the Scots never making it out of a group at a major tournament.
Looking at the England squad as a whole, Bates said, “I don’t think there’s a squad out there in Europe that’s as exciting, as vibrant, as dangerous and threatening as the one Gareth Southgate’s got. The task is for him to put all the pieces together, and make sure we perform when the moment’s there.”

England’s Starting XI – Defenders

Deciding to start from the back with their England XI, the group agree on Jordan Pickford as England’s number one, with Bates mentioning that he’s ‘never let England down’.
The full back spots cause more debate, with Holt saying he would get Trent Alexander-Arnold in his starting XI, but he doesn’t think Southgate will. Ogden would select Kieran Trippier at right wing-back if England again go with a big three, while Bates believes Luke Shaw is one of England’s best players.

Talking about Southgate’s tendency to be cautious, Holt said, “To win the tournament, there has to be an element of boldness about what we do.”

England’s Starting XI – Midfielders

Moving on the midfield, Holt was concerned.
“I think it’s problematic that midfield area. I think it’s one of those areas where things aren’t set in stone, because there are issues. I think Declan Rice is there, but who plays alongside him is interesting. Maybe there’s becoming an acceptance that Bellingham is better a bit further forward.”

Ogden discounts Kalvin Phillips and Jordan Henderson as options next to Rice, but wonders if Southgate would risk putting John Stones in midfield. Marc Guehi and Levi Colwill are mention as options to fill in for Stones in central defence.

England’s Starting XI – Attackers

Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka are agreed on as the guarantees in the forward line, but there’s a long list of options to play on the left. Bates names Foden as his pick, while Holt mentions Grealish and says he ‘likes his end product’.

Holt expresses sympathy for Raheem Sterling, who has been superb for a struggling Chelsea side, and adds that there appears to be an issue between Sterling and Southgate, with the former having been left out of recent squads.

Who’s pushing to make the squad?

The panel discuss the lack of replacements for Kane and Bellingham, with Holt mentioning Bellingham’s shoulder issue. Ogden suggests potential burnout for the two stars.
Bender considers James Ward-Prowse and Cole Palmer as options for the squad, while Bates would like to see more from Palmer before he gets near the team.

The quartet are very positive about James Maddison’s England chances, and cite his positive attitude as a key factor.

Perfect England XI

Opting for a 4-1-4-1 formation, Bender, Ogden, Holt and Bates named their England XI: Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw; Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Maddison, Foden; Kane.

Do you agree with their picks? Who would make your XI for the opening match next summer?

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