Jarrod Bowen (Westham United) 11

A late bloomer to the international scene, a hard working industrious player with a directness to use the skills which Jarrod has worked so hard to develop, knows his limitations but overcomes with a high work rate. Operates on the right side for the Hammers but of the opinion that Jarrod can switch to the left side looking to cut inside the box lines and defeat the oppositions fullback on the outside. Has a goalscoring prowess which is an added bonus, has a strong physicality and hits the mark at one hundred percent effort.

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) 9

Arguably the world’s number 1 striker, can create and score goals from outside the box, very rarely misses when the opportunity arises, a predator inside the box lines, strong when resisting the defender’s challenges, can switch to either foot to create the angles on goal to assist the finish with ease, a strong potent force with headers on goal, for England to lift the trophy Kane will have to hit the ground running, the Kane goals can be those defining moments to closing out matches.

The Squad Picks

The Defenders

Joe Gomez, Liverpool
Joe can play as a centre-back and the fullback positions Mr versatility.

Luke Shaw, Manchester United
The most experienced of all the defenders, a reliable player who can if required centre-back role.

James Braithwaite, Everton
A left footed centre-back with all the attributes, glides across the pitch with a calmness and match play maturity beyond his years, a huge transfer has been posted at 80 million pounds plus, that marks down the quality.

Lewis Dunk, Brighton HA
A combative centre-back who’s learned the art of the last ditch tackles, strong in the air with a tackle to match a threat to the opposition on corners, a player who will not be fazed.

The Midfield

Trent-Alexander Arnold, Liverpool
Yet to reach his full potential as an England international with Southgate dithering between a defender and midfield role, Jurgen Klopp has faced the same dilemma, the hybrid role seems to be the comfort zone for the player to move into a right sided midfield position on vacating the right back position but to be aware to keep the distance between the two positions as recoverable on loss of possession, pinpoint passes, shots on goals and can be deadly on free kicks, the super talented Trent.

Jack Grealish, Manchester City
A challenging season for Jack with the Doku presence, Jack has responded positively. If Southgate’s selections are based on club form, then Jarrod Bowen must get the nod, of the opinion that Jack needs to become stronger on his right foot to open another dimension to his game, can be one dimensional, at present an important squad player for England.

James Maddison, Tottenham Hotspur
A cunning player who can drift on the inside and outside of defenders, can work the ball with defence splitting passes, has a tendency to throw in the odd bad tackle on the red mist, a valued member of the squad who could role in the game changer if called upon.

James Toney, Brentford
For all Toney’s off the field indiscretions, he cannot be ignored. Has the physicality, aerial prowess, goal punching power, can strike the ball with the side foot technique and still create the power, can make sacrifices for the team, can play with an edge, a twinned attack force with Harry Kane is a golden ticket if England were to go for the opposition’s jugular, the system and player selection would have to be changed to a degree to accommodate, it’s in the locker any bets on?

Anthony Gordon
Gordon has surprised me with his rapid progression, the main factors being Anthony’s improved attitude to double up on the work rate and has become comfortable in the football umbrella, the fear has gone to play with total freedom, full credit to Eddie Howe for instilling in Anthony to grab hold of his career and to seize, the sky’s the limit.

Cole Palmer, Chelsea
To stay with the youthful vibrance for Cole Palmer to carry a team of Chelsea’s statue is quite remarkable, Pep Guardiola has made a mistake with not giving Cole a starting berth, for all of Haaland’s goals, Cole is a far more gifted player who can play across the box lines to create, to open defences, to create the angles, to score with freedom, to produce stunning free kick finishes, to not be fazed, the final guarantee is the go to, 20 goals a season, no hesitation in playing Cole in the starting eleven if the opposition match up dictates.

The System

The tactic employed would be the 4-1-4-1 system with Declan Rice sitting between the four man defence and midfield on transition into the opposition’s half Bellingham and Foden to support Kane either side with Saka and Bowen working the wing play to create and support, Declan Rice in turn would position behind the centralised front three to pick up any second balls being knocked back or to be in credit on the opposition’s counter attacks, the defence in turn would be halfway positioned with the fullbacks being encouraged to move forward, the key is for Harry Kane to have support in numbers. In defensive mode Bellingham and Foden would drop in to form a three line midfield in front of the back four, with the wide players Bowen and Saka supporting the fullbacks. If the opposition counter the system to a degree then flexibility to charge the system come tactics would be the thought process, Southgate to have learned from past mistakes is pivotal to England’s progression, tournament favourites, it’s time to deliver.

Group C
England, Slovenia, Serbia, Denmark. June 16^th England v Serbia, June 20^th England v Denmark and June 25^th England v Slovenia, come on England.