The European Championships Qualifying stage has started in terrific fashion - Kazakhstan walloping Scotland 3-0. Just brilliant! Now, to make that hilarious defeat even better, England have to get off to a winning start against Czech Republic. A lot has changed since the last internationals, with certain starters potentially being dropped due to their club form. Below, I say who should start England's first ever competitive meeting with Czechia.
GOALKEEPER
Asked about a month ago and Jordan Pickford would have been the first name on everyone's lips. The goalkeeper excelled at the World Cup but has struggled for form ever since then. Perhaps the jingoism that filled the World Cup maybe meant people forgot that Pickford isn't actually a good goalkeeper. He has struggled for confidence ever since his short arms (like Courtois suggested, and through the jingoism we slaughtered, despite him being correct) failed to tip over Virgil Van Dijk's effort, allowing Divock Origi to win the Merseyside Derby. His display against Newcastle summed up Pickford's season. Tom Heaton has been integral in Burnley's upturn in form recently. Since Heaton's return inbetween the sticks, Burnley went eight games unbeaten but have lost their last four games.
Verdict - Tom Heaton
RIGHT BACK
With Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving the squad due to a back injury, he left Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier as the two right backs in the squad. The decision to call up Trippier when Aaron Wan-Bissaka, arguably the best right back in the league decision, had to settle for the under-21s, is scandalous from Southgate. Trippier, like Pickford, has been on a downhill spiral ever since the World Cup, ever since that glorious free kick, and he's played awfully this season, scoring a comical own goal against Chelsea (which wasn't necessarily his fault, but was incredibly funny). I would have chosen Wan-Bissaka at right back, but Kyle Walker will have to do.
Verdict - Kyle Walker
CENTRE BACKS
The withdrawal of John Stones and long injury to Joe Gomez has meant England will be without their two first choice centre backs. Harry Maguire, though, is an apt replacement. Our 'Slabhead' performed brilliantly at the World Cup and has somewhat carried that form on to this season.
That leaves Michael Keane and James Tarkowski as the other natural centre backs in the squad. Gone are the days of playing five at the back with Kyle Walker in the middle, Southgate has changed to a four, so one of those two will slot in alongside Maguire. There isn't too much between these two but I think Michael Keane will get the nod over Tarkowski
Verdict - Harry Maguire and Michael Keane
LEFT BACK
Another injury, this time to Luke Shaw, left Ben Chilwell and Danny Rose as the left back options. Chilwell played in the last internationals in November and is a much better player than Rose. Chilwell will play alongside his Leicester teammate in defence.
Verdict - Ben Chilwell
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD
Southgate has favoured a holding midfielder at the base in a 4-1-2-3 style and will be boosted by Declan Rice's decision to declare for England. The 20 year old has been terrific under Pellegrini this season in the same role. Jordan Henderson is still recovering from an injury that forced him off against Bayern Munich and Rice is better than Eric Dier. Rice will make his international debut for the second time against Czech Republic.
Verdict - Declan Rice
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
The remaining midfield options in the squad are Dele Alli, Ross Barkley and James Ward-Prowse. Given Ward-Prowse was a replacement, it seems that Alli and Barkley will be placed in central midfield. The decision to omit James Maddison is strange, given he has created the most chances in Europe this season. England have lacked a creative midfielder and Maddison is exactly what we need.
Verdict - Dele Alli and Ross Barkley
RIGHT WING
A first senior call up to the squad for Callum Hudson-Odoi was testament to featuring for Chelsea, despite never starting a league games for the Blues, but Raheem Sterling's place was never a contentious point. The decision to change formation was arguably to get the best out of Sterling, placing him a more natural wide position than as a striker. His two goals against Spain show it was the right decision.
Verdict - Raheem Sterling
LEFT WING
Never throughout my lifetime has their ever been more hype for a player than Jadon Sancho. His return to England in the Champions League was underwhelming, like the entire Dortmund team, but his performances this season show what he's all about. Pace, direct, skill, end product - Sancho has it all. Marcus Rashford's injury cemented Sancho into the side.
Verdict - Jadon Sancho
STRIKER
Harry Kane. Captain. Leader. No explanation.
Verdict - Harry Kane
That is my starting line up. The dilemmas of goalkeeper, centre back and defensive midfield will be interesting to see who Southgate chooses. England to win 3-0.
GOALKEEPER
Asked about a month ago and Jordan Pickford would have been the first name on everyone's lips. The goalkeeper excelled at the World Cup but has struggled for form ever since then. Perhaps the jingoism that filled the World Cup maybe meant people forgot that Pickford isn't actually a good goalkeeper. He has struggled for confidence ever since his short arms (like Courtois suggested, and through the jingoism we slaughtered, despite him being correct) failed to tip over Virgil Van Dijk's effort, allowing Divock Origi to win the Merseyside Derby. His display against Newcastle summed up Pickford's season. Tom Heaton has been integral in Burnley's upturn in form recently. Since Heaton's return inbetween the sticks, Burnley went eight games unbeaten but have lost their last four games.
Verdict - Tom Heaton
RIGHT BACK
With Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving the squad due to a back injury, he left Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier as the two right backs in the squad. The decision to call up Trippier when Aaron Wan-Bissaka, arguably the best right back in the league decision, had to settle for the under-21s, is scandalous from Southgate. Trippier, like Pickford, has been on a downhill spiral ever since the World Cup, ever since that glorious free kick, and he's played awfully this season, scoring a comical own goal against Chelsea (which wasn't necessarily his fault, but was incredibly funny). I would have chosen Wan-Bissaka at right back, but Kyle Walker will have to do.
Verdict - Kyle Walker
CENTRE BACKS
The withdrawal of John Stones and long injury to Joe Gomez has meant England will be without their two first choice centre backs. Harry Maguire, though, is an apt replacement. Our 'Slabhead' performed brilliantly at the World Cup and has somewhat carried that form on to this season.
That leaves Michael Keane and James Tarkowski as the other natural centre backs in the squad. Gone are the days of playing five at the back with Kyle Walker in the middle, Southgate has changed to a four, so one of those two will slot in alongside Maguire. There isn't too much between these two but I think Michael Keane will get the nod over Tarkowski
Verdict - Harry Maguire and Michael Keane
LEFT BACK
Another injury, this time to Luke Shaw, left Ben Chilwell and Danny Rose as the left back options. Chilwell played in the last internationals in November and is a much better player than Rose. Chilwell will play alongside his Leicester teammate in defence.
Verdict - Ben Chilwell
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD
Southgate has favoured a holding midfielder at the base in a 4-1-2-3 style and will be boosted by Declan Rice's decision to declare for England. The 20 year old has been terrific under Pellegrini this season in the same role. Jordan Henderson is still recovering from an injury that forced him off against Bayern Munich and Rice is better than Eric Dier. Rice will make his international debut for the second time against Czech Republic.
Verdict - Declan Rice
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
The remaining midfield options in the squad are Dele Alli, Ross Barkley and James Ward-Prowse. Given Ward-Prowse was a replacement, it seems that Alli and Barkley will be placed in central midfield. The decision to omit James Maddison is strange, given he has created the most chances in Europe this season. England have lacked a creative midfielder and Maddison is exactly what we need.
Verdict - Dele Alli and Ross Barkley
RIGHT WING
A first senior call up to the squad for Callum Hudson-Odoi was testament to featuring for Chelsea, despite never starting a league games for the Blues, but Raheem Sterling's place was never a contentious point. The decision to change formation was arguably to get the best out of Sterling, placing him a more natural wide position than as a striker. His two goals against Spain show it was the right decision.
Verdict - Raheem Sterling
LEFT WING
Never throughout my lifetime has their ever been more hype for a player than Jadon Sancho. His return to England in the Champions League was underwhelming, like the entire Dortmund team, but his performances this season show what he's all about. Pace, direct, skill, end product - Sancho has it all. Marcus Rashford's injury cemented Sancho into the side.
Verdict - Jadon Sancho
STRIKER
Harry Kane. Captain. Leader. No explanation.
Verdict - Harry Kane
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