England starting XI vs Ireland 'revealed' with Chelsea star set for competitive debut
09/07/2024 06:32 AM
Lee Carsley has picked his first England starting XI for the clash against the Republic of Ireland with some bold decisions made.
The Three Lions take on the Boys in Green at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday evening in the first of their Nations League matches.
It marks the dawn of a new era for both teams with managers Carsley and Heimir Hallgrimsson taking charge of their first game, with this England’s first match since the Euro 2024 final defeat and Gareth Southgate’s resignation.
And with interim boss Carsley tipped to get the job on a full-time basis should the Three Lions perform well this autumn, there is much anticipation as to how he’ll line his side up and implement his attacking tactics.
It was reported on Friday evening that the 50-year-old had already made a bold call with his XI with Harry Maguire set to start despite the centre-back’s struggling form for Manchester United.
The Mirror now claims to have ‘revealed’ the full starting XI which features an eye-catching midfield of Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo and Jack Grealish in a No.10 role.
Rice and Grealish were both regulars for Ireland’s youth teams, with the Arsenal star even making three senior appearances, before pledging their international allegiance to England and as such, they can expect a hostile reception from the Dublin crowd.
Maguire will be joined in the back-line by Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marc Guehi and Levi Colwill, with John Stones surprisingly missing out, while Jordan Pickford retains his status as No.1 goalkeeper.
With no left-backs in the squad, Chelsea centre-back Colwill will fill-in in that position, with this the 21-year-old’s competitive debut after winning his first cap in a friendly against Australia last year.
As for the forward line, captain Harry Kane will win his 99th cap with Bukayo Saka taking up his normal place on the right wing.
They’ll be joined on the left-flank by Anthony Gordon after the Newcastle forward was woefully underutilised by Southgate at the Euros.
If this XI is accurate it means that the uncapped quartet of Tino Livramento, Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White and Noni Madueke won’t make their England debuts – at least not from the start.
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