England secured Euro 2020 qualification on Thursday with a 7-0 win over Montenegro. The build up was marred by an altercation between Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez, with a section of fans booing Gomez for no reason. Gomez is out injured and Henderson is also not available, with Maddison a doubt for the game in Kosovo.
Below is who I think should start against Kosovo.
GOALKEEPER - Jordan Pickford (Everton)
For me, I think Dean Henderson is England's best goalkeeper. Unfortunately, Southgate chooses Pickford. There isn't a big gap in quality between the two of them but I would keep Pickford in goal to provide more stability in defence. England's defence has been its downfall in recent times and I think if we are to improve, changing goalkeeper may unsettle them more so Pickford should remain between the sticks.
RIGHT BACK - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
None of England's other right backs match up to the ability of Alexander-Arnold. He is so far ahead of the options for Southgate on the right and he should play every competitive match for England.
CENTRE BACKS - Harry Maguire (Manchester United) and Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea)
Maguire is England's first choice centre back and if Gomez had been fit, I would've played him. This game is meaningless so Tomori should make his debut, and he deserves it after his form for Chelsea.
LEFT BACK - Ben Chilwell (Leicester City)
Much like Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell is much better than the other English left backs and Rose's performance against Czechia last month shows he is not cut out for international football - and he hasn't been for some time now. Chilwell has to play.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD - Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur)
I prefer Winks to Rice in defensive midfield as he is a better passer so can link play from defence from attack much better. A team like England will always play on the front foot and Winks is better suited to do that than Rice.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS - Mason Mount (Chelsea) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool)
If Henderson and Maddison were able to play, than I would've started them. Mount and Oxlade-Chamberlain played well against Montenegro and should retain their places in the squad, also because there aren't many other midfield options in the squad.
RIGHT WING - Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)
Great player.
LEFT WING - Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
After being left out, Sterling needs to be reintegrated into the side. He is a world class player.
STRIKER - Tammy Abraham (Chelsea)
I think Southgate will start Kane but, as it is a meaningless fixture, I'd play Abraham as his consistency for Chelsea deserves for him to start.
There are rumours circulating that Alexander-Arnold may play in defensive midfield. This is obviously a chance for Southgate to try new things but I'm not sure what that would gain. He is our best right back and shouldn't be moved to midfield.
GOALKEEPER - Jordan Pickford (Everton)
For me, I think Dean Henderson is England's best goalkeeper. Unfortunately, Southgate chooses Pickford. There isn't a big gap in quality between the two of them but I would keep Pickford in goal to provide more stability in defence. England's defence has been its downfall in recent times and I think if we are to improve, changing goalkeeper may unsettle them more so Pickford should remain between the sticks.
RIGHT BACK - Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
None of England's other right backs match up to the ability of Alexander-Arnold. He is so far ahead of the options for Southgate on the right and he should play every competitive match for England.
CENTRE BACKS - Harry Maguire (Manchester United) and Fikayo Tomori (Chelsea)
Maguire is England's first choice centre back and if Gomez had been fit, I would've played him. This game is meaningless so Tomori should make his debut, and he deserves it after his form for Chelsea.
LEFT BACK - Ben Chilwell (Leicester City)
Much like Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell is much better than the other English left backs and Rose's performance against Czechia last month shows he is not cut out for international football - and he hasn't been for some time now. Chilwell has to play.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD - Harry Winks (Tottenham Hotspur)
I prefer Winks to Rice in defensive midfield as he is a better passer so can link play from defence from attack much better. A team like England will always play on the front foot and Winks is better suited to do that than Rice.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS - Mason Mount (Chelsea) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool)
If Henderson and Maddison were able to play, than I would've started them. Mount and Oxlade-Chamberlain played well against Montenegro and should retain their places in the squad, also because there aren't many other midfield options in the squad.
RIGHT WING - Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund)
Great player.
LEFT WING - Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)
After being left out, Sterling needs to be reintegrated into the side. He is a world class player.
STRIKER - Tammy Abraham (Chelsea)
I think Southgate will start Kane but, as it is a meaningless fixture, I'd play Abraham as his consistency for Chelsea deserves for him to start.
There are rumours circulating that Alexander-Arnold may play in defensive midfield. This is obviously a chance for Southgate to try new things but I'm not sure what that would gain. He is our best right back and shouldn't be moved to midfield.
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