Sunday, November 17, 2024

Wolverhampton Wanderers Greatest All-Time Team

This blogger Artur Yanturin of Russia copied many of my blog teams.  This blog was one of them.  It was my Russia All-Time Team here.  His team was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014.  I also updated mine periodically.  I made mistakes. He is from Russia.  He should know the topic much more than I do, but he still kept my mistakes. He will copy this Belarus All-Time Team.  Please look at my other teams from the former Soviet Union.  He copied all of them.
His Facebook and Instagram

1953-1954 League Champion


Wolverhampton Wanderers, originally formed as St. Luke's F.C. in 1877, changed its name just two years later. The club became one of the founding members of the Football League in 1888 and won its first FA Cup in 1893. They claimed the trophy again in 1908 while competing in the Second Division, following relegation two years prior.

Wolves have been crowned English League champions three times: in 1953–54, 1957–58, and 1958–59, all under the management of Stan Cullis. They also secured two more FA Cup victories in 1949 and 1960. The club won the League Cup in 1974 and 1980, and reclaimed the Second Division title in 1976–77.

After returning to the English top flight in 1967, Wolves entered a period of relative success under Bill McGarry, finishing fourth in the league in 1971, which qualified them for the newly formed UEFA Cup. In that tournament, they defeated Juventus and Ferencváros but ultimately lost to Tottenham Hotspur 3–2 on aggregate, with a crucial 2–1 loss at home in the first leg. Two years later, Wolves secured the League Cup for the first time, triumphing over Manchester City 2–1 in the final.
1972 UEFA Cup Finalist


Team
GK: Bert Williams (England)
Nicknamed The Cat, Williams started with Walsall, but he spent the majority of his playing career at Wolverhampton Wanderers where he won the League Championship in 1954 and FA Cup in 1949. His career was cut duringthe war, He played 24 times for England.  He played for them at the 1950 World Cup Finals. At the time of his death Williams was the oldest living England international.  He was awarded a MBA by the British government.
Bert Williams
GK: Malcolm Finlayson (England)
Finlayson joined Millwall in 1948. He served in the air force during his time with the Den.  He was sold to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1956 as cover for Bert Williams. He became a starter in his second season.  He won two league titles and the 1960 FA Cup final. The club's domestic success meant Finlayson played in the European Cup against the likes of Barcelona.  He retired in 1964.

GK: Mike Stowell (England)
Stowell began his career at Preston North End in 1985, but he quickly joined Everton later in the year. In his five years at the club, he was loaned out to Chester City, York City, Manchester City, Port Vale, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Preston North End. He signed permanently with Wolves in 1990 and was their goalkeeper of choice throughout the decade. He was named as the club's Player of the Year in 1991. In July 2001, he signed with Bristol City before retiring in May 2005.

RB: Geoff Palmer (England)
Palmer was born in Cannock, Staffordshire. He spent 16 years with Wolves, playing 495 times for the club in total. A Wolves fan throughout his childhood, he joined as an apprentice in 1970.  With Wolves, he won two League Cups. In the 1984-1985, he played with Burnley before returning to Wolves the following season before retiring in 1986.  He was capped by England in the Under-23 level.

CB: Billy Wright (England)
Billy Wright is the first football player in the world to earn 100 caps(105 total).  He also made a total of 105 appearances for England, captaining them a record 90 times, including during their campaigns at the 1950, 1954 and 1958 World Cup finals.  He was one of England's finest center-backs.  He spent his whole career at Wolverhampton Wanderers from 1939 to 1959. He won the FA Cup in 1949. He was the winner of FWA Footballer of the Year in 1952 and Ballon d'Or Runners Up in 1957.
Billy Wright
CB: Stan Cullis (England)
Between 1934 and 1947, Stan Cullis played with  Wolverhampton Wanderers. He finished runners-up in the league in 1937–38 and 1938–39. In 1939 Wolves had the chance to win The Double, but lost the championship by 5 points to Everton. They reached the FA Cup Final but lost 4–1 to Portsmouth, thus becoming the third English club to finish as runners-up in both League and FA Cup. He played 12 times for England between 1937 and 1939.

CB: John McAlle (England)
Known to his teammates as Scouse, McAlle was Wolves's first-choice centre-back throughout most of the 1970s. During this period he played in the 1972 UEFA Cup final and won the League Cup in 1974. He was also part of the side that won the Second Division championship in 1976–77.  He played briefly for Sheffield United before playing two seasons with Derby County.  He retired in 1984.

CB: Frank Munro (Scotland)
Frank Munro played for Dundee United and Aberdeen in his native Scotland before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1968. Here he won a League Cup winners medal while with the club, and played in the first-ever UEFA Cup Final.  He briefly played for Celtic in the 1977-1978 season before heading to play in Australia. Between 1971 and 1975, he was capped 9 timed for Scotland.

LB/RB: Derek Parkin (England)
Parkin made his debut for Huddersfield Town against Bury, aged 16. In 1968, he became at the time the most expensive full-back in Britain when he joined Wolves for £80,000. He played 609 matches with them, including 501 league games, also a club record. He won the League Cup in both 1974 and 1980, and also earned a Second Division championship medal in 1976–77. He earned one senior callup in 1971 to the national team, but he never enterred the field.
Derek Parklin
LB/RB: Andy Thompson (England)
Thompson began his career as with West Bromwich Albion. He moved to rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers with Steve Bull in1986 for a combined fee of £60,000.  Both playwers became legend swith the club. He stayed there until 1997.  Then, he played for Tranmere Rovers for 3 seasons before he joined Cardiff City in 2000.  Later, he played with Shrewsbury Town, but was unsuccessful.  He ended his career with Hednesford.

DM: Rúben Neves (Portugal)
Neves started his career with Porto and made his first-team debut at the age of 17. He joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017. He made 253 appearances and scored 30 goals for them, winning the EFL Championship in his first season. In 2023, he signed for Al-Hilal. He made more than 60 appearances for Portugal's national youth teams. He made his debut for Portugal at the age of 18 in 2015, and was part of their squads at Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.

DM/CM/RH: Mike Bailey (England)
Bailey started with Charlton Athletic in1959. He spent 8 seasons there in which he also served as club captain, before moving to fellow Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1966. He went on to play a central role during the club's resurgence of the Bill McGarry era, which saw the club reach the 1972 UEFA Cup Final and win the 1974 League Cup, where he lifted the trophy as captain.  He won two caps for the England senior team.
Mike Bailey
LM/CM/FW: Bill Slater (England)
Slater started his career as a 16-year-old amateur at Blackpool in 1944 and played in the 1951 FA Cup Final, becoming the last amateur to play in an FA Cup Final at Wembley. He briefly played for Brentford before he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers. He won 3 Football League championships (1953–54, 1957–58, 1958–59) and an FA Cup.  He gained 12 caps for England (including four in the 1958 World Cup) and 20 amateur caps. He also represented Great Britain at the 1952 Summer Olympics.

RIF/AM: Peter Broadbent (England)
Broadbent started his career with non-league Dover FC until he was signed by Brentford. He joined Wolves in 1951. for a £10,000 fee. He would remain there for the next 14 years, scoring well over 100 goals and winning three league titles and an FA Cup, as well as being capped seven times at the highest level by England. He later playd for Aston Villa, Stockport County and Bromsgrove Rovers.

CM: Joao Moutinho (Portugal)
Joao Moutinho established himself at Sporting before moving to Porto.  In his first season, he won the treble, including the 2011 Europa League.  In 2013, Porto sold him to Monaco. For Portugal, he became a key player since Euro 2012.  He was a part of the team that won the Euro 2016 in France. In 2012, he missed the penalty against Spain in semifinal shootout. Four years later, urged by Cristano Ronaldo, he converted his penalty kick against Poland.  He had 146 caps.

AM/DM: Ron Flowers (England)
Initially playing as an attacking midfield player at Wolverhampton Wanderers, he won 3 league championships and an FA Cup. In total, he made 515 appearances for the club, scoring 37 times. In the latter stages of his career he played a more defensive role. He became a player/manager with Northampton in 1967.  He played 49 times for England between 1955 and 1966.  He played in the 1962 World Cup Finals. He was a member of the squad that won the 1966 World Cup, being the oldest and earliest-capped member of the squad.
Ron Flowers
AM: Kenny Hibbitt (England)
Hibbitt played in the Football League for Bradford Park Avenue, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City and Bristol Rovers, and in the NASL for the Seattle Sounders. In Wolves, he was a part of the team that reached the 1972 UEFA Cup Final. He played there between 1968 and 1984. His career was cut short by an injury in 1988 while with Bristol Rovers.  He was capped once for England at under-23 level in 1970. 

RW: Johnny Hancocks (England)
In 1938, Hancocks turned professional with Walsall, but the outbreak of World War II halted his football career.  He joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1946. He finished as top goalscorer for them in the 1954–55 and 1955–56 seasons. In total, he is the 4th highest goalscorer in the club's history. His tally of 158 top-flight goals is still a club record. The likes of Stanley Matthews and Tom Finney kept him out of the national team.  he only played 3 times for England. 

LW/OL: Jimmy Mullen (England)
Mullen spent his whole career at Wolverhampton Wanderers where he won three English Football League championships and the FA Cup. He also represented the England national team at both the 1950 and 1954 World Cup.  In total, he had 6 international goals.  One of them was against Switzerland in the World Cup Finals in 1954.  He also became England's first ever substitute in an international on 18 May 1950, scoring against Belgium. 

LW: Dave Wagstaffe (England)
Wagstaffe made over 500 league appearances throughout his career, which saw him represent Manchester City, Wolves, Blackburn and Blackpool in England and briefly the Los Angeles Wolves in the United States. He was notably the first player to be shown a red card in the English Football League, sent off for Blackburn during a 1–0 defeat against Leyton Orient on 2 October 1976.

FW: Andy Mutch (England)
Mutch was a trainee at Liverpool and Everton but was not taken on as a professional footballer. He was playing for non-league Southport when then-Third Division Wolverhampton Wanderers signed him in1986. Alongside Steve Bull, the club jumped from fourth division to second division. He played with Swindon between 1993 and 1996 where he spent a season in the Premiership.  

ST: Derek Dougan (N.Ireland)
Dougan began his career at Distillery in his native Belfast. He pkayed for Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Peterborough United and Leicester before he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1967.  He helped the club to win promotion out of the 2nd Division in 1966–67, to lift the Texaco Cup in 1970 and the League Cup in 1974, and also played on in the 1972 UEFA Cup final.  He played 43 times between 1958 and 1973 for North Ireland, mainly along side George Best. He represented Shamrock Rovers Best XI in 1973 against Brazil.
Derek Dougan
ST: John Richards (England)
Richards spent almost all his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, where he broke the club's goalscoring record, ending with 194 goals in his tally (later overtaken by Steve Bull). During a fourteen-year association with Wolves he won two League Cups and also played in the first UEFA Cup Final in 1972. He had loan spell with Derby County at the end of his careet before playing in Portugal. He was capped once by England in 1973. 

ST: Dennis Westcott (England)
Between 1938 and 1948, Westcott played for Wolverhampton Wanderers.  In 193801939 season, he scored 43 goals in 43 appearances, setting a club record which stood for 50 years until it was broken by Steve Bull. Westcott played in the 1939 FA Cup Final, but Wolves were beaten by Portsmouth. During the war he played four wartime internationals for England scoring 56 goals.  He scored on his only appearance for the Football League XI in March 1947.

ST: Steve Bull (England)
Bull began his professional career, aged 19 with West Bromwich Albion in 1984.  He is best remembered for his 13-year spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers. He played there from 1986 to 1999, and holds the club's goalscoring record with 306 goals, which included 18 hat-tricks for the club. Between 1989 and 1990, he was capped 13 times for England, including 4 times in the 1990 World Cup Finals.  He remains the last player to be capped by England from outside the top two tiers, and one of only five post-war players so honoured.
Steve Bull

Honorable Mentions
Thomas Baddeley (England), Paul Bradshaw (England), Tim Flowers (England), Wayne Hennessey (Wales), Phil Parkes (England), Mike Stowell (England), Willy Boly (France), Jackery Jones (England), Gerry Harris (England), Eddie Stuart (South Africa), Bill Shorthouse (England), Stephen Ward (Ireland), Joleon Lescott (England), Emlyn Hughes (England),  Joe Gardiner (England), Bill Shorthouse (England),  Paul Ince (England),  Jim McCalliog (Scotland), Billy Harrison (England), Adama Traoré (Spain), Robbie Dennison (N.Ireland). Raúl Jiménez (Mexico), Diogo Jota (Portugal), Ted Farmer (England), Jack Brodie (England), Jesse Pye (England), Roy Swinbourne (England), Dennis Wilshaw (England).

Squad Explanation 
-- I did not work on this Wolverhampton Wanderers' team until November, 2024.  They deserved to be honored in this team because they won 13 major trophies in their history, including 3 league titles in the top flight.   They were more successful than some of the other English teams I have created.
-- A website named Wolvesblog named the following footballers as Wolverhampton Wanderers's 5 greatest footballers: Billy Wright, Bert Williams, John Richards, Derek Dougan and Steve Bull. 
-- In 2018, Birmingham Mail also made a list of the ten best Wolverhampton Wanderers players of all time.  They were Stan Cullis, Bill Slater, Bert Williams, Billy Wright, Peter Broadbent, Ron Flowers, Jimmy Mullen, John Richards, Kenny Hibbitt and Steve Bull.
-- In 2020, the 90min.com also came up with their own Top 10 greatest Wolves footballers.  The list was almost identical to the one created by Birmingham Mail. Eight of the players belonged to both lists.  They were Stan Cullis, Billy Wright, Bert Williams, Steve Bull, Ron Flowers, John Richards and Bill Slater.  Three other players were not on the Birmingham's list. They were Derek Parkin, Dennis Westcott and Derek Dougan.
-- In 2024, the Daily Mail asked its readers to vote for the Greatest Players ever for Wolves.  The result were: 1) Billy Wright, 2) Steve Bull and 3) Derek Dougan.  The following players were also nominated Bert Williams, Ron Flowers, Derek Parkin, Geoff Palmer,  Kenny Hibbitt, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho and Conor Coady. 
-- I also used Wolverhamptom Wanders' Hall of Fame as a reference, but not every Hall of Famers were selected.
-- In the 1950's, Wolverhampton Wanderers won three league titles and a FA Cup.  It was their best period in history.  Two of the goalkeepers on this team Bert Williams and Malcolm Finlayson were from this era. From the 1950's, I also took Billy Wright, Bill Slater, Peter Broadbent, Ron Flowers, Johnny Hancocks and Jimmy Mullen, 
-- The Wolves reached the Final of the 1972 UEFA Cup, but lost to Tottenham Hotspurs 3–2 on aggregate.  This group of players also won the 1974 League Cup.  Geoff Palmer, Mike Baily, Frank Munro, John McAlle, Kenny Hibbitt, John Richards, Derek Dougan, Dave Wagstaffe and Derek Parkin.  Several players were still with the team as they secured their second League Cup victory in 1980 by defeating Nottingham Forest. Nottingham Forest, the reigning champions of the European Cup at the time, would go on to win the European Cup again that season a few months after the League Cup final.
Goalkeepers
-- Known as 'The Cat', Bert Williams, is considered to be Wolves' greatest goalkeeper, amassing 420 appearances over a remarkable 14-year period.  He helped them to win the 1949 FA Cup final against Leicester and their subsequent league title five years down the line.  Malcolm Finlayson won two league title in Molineux.  He is also a member of Hall of Flame.  The two of them was undisputed.
-- I considered a few options for the third goalkeeper. Thomas Baddeley had over 300 matches for Wolves from 1896 to 1907. Paul Bradshaw, a two-time Player of the Year, clinched the 1980 League Cup and represented them in Europe. Tim Flowers made his professional debut with the club, but he was playng in the lower divsion. Both of his seasons ended in relegation. Rui Patricio, known as one of Europe's finest goalkeepers, proved his worth at Molineux.  Wayne Hennessey and Phil Parkes were also in the mix.  However, discussions on a Wolves fan forum suggested that Hall of Famer Mike Stowell should take the spot as the third goalkeeper.
Defenders
-- Billy Wright played his entire club career over here.  He is probably the club's greatest ever player.  He is the first footballer in the world to earn 100 international caps, Wright also held the record for longest unbroken run in competitive international football.  Stan Cullis was another disputed choice.  He was a cultured defender who would later captained Wolves. The two were undisputed.  John McAlle  was not far behind the two.  He was a Hall of Flamer from here.  He played in the 1972 UEFA Cup Final and won the League Cup in 1974.  Furthermore, he was a stopper who could play next to both Cullis and Wright.
John McAlle  
-- The last central defender was between Conor Coady and Frank Munro.  Coady played over 300 games for the club, captaining the team and being its heart and soul. He made it to the Europa League Team of the Year in 2020 when Wolves reached the quarterfinals. In 2020, he was capped by England and also became the first Wolves player since Steve Bull in the 1990's to start for the national team.  I faced a tough decision between him and the Hall of Famer Frank Munro, who was integral to the team that reached the final of the 1972 UEFA Cup. Munro represented a golden era of the club, with his name synonymous with its history. While Coady came close to making the team, nostalgia ultimately prevailed, leading me to select the older Munro.
-- Emlyn Hughes arrived in Molineux when he was nearly 32 years old.  He captained the side as they won the League Cup, a trophy he never won in Liverpool.  However, he only played 56 matches for the team. Joleon Lescott was a homegrown player, but he also played only in the lower division during his time over here. Those two did not stay long enough.  Joe Gardiner played for the club between 1933 and 1944.  He was largely forgotten by the younger fans.  He only made honorable mention.
-- Geoff Palmer spent 16 years with Wolves.  He was one of four Wolves players to feature in both of their League Cup triumphs. He was nominated by Daily Mail as one of the candidates for Wolves' greatest player.  Jackery Jones on the other hand played for Wolves between 1900 and 1913.  He holds the distinction of being the first Wolves player to achieve 300 League appearances and was selected to play for the Football League against the Irish League in Belfast in 1904.  However, I did not select another rightback because Andy Thompson could cover both sides of the fullback position.  Derek Parkin was also a rightback in the beginning of his career.
-- Derek Parkin holds the club record for most appearances, surpassing 600 games. Initially brought in as a right-back, he evolved into the club's standout left-back. Andy Thompson, who arrived alongside Steve Bull, played a pivotal role in reshaping the team. Capable of operating as a right or left back, Thompson showcased his versatility by seamlessly transitioning to roles in midfield, including as a wing-back or side midfielder.  Both Parkin and Thompson were indispensable. They kept Gerry Harris off the team.
Midfielders/Wingers
-- Bill Slater was often listed as one of Wolves' Top 10 greatest footballers by both Brimingham Mail and 90min.com.  He could cover many positions.  He won two league titles for them.  He also served as Duncan Edwards' replacement in the 1958 World Cup Finals.  He was known for neutralising Didi in Sweden. He was named the FWA Player of the Year in 1960.  Mike Baily was another footballer who should be selected as the deep midfielder. He was a part of the team that reached the UEFA Cup Final. In recent years, Rúben Neves was often cited as Wolves' greatest player of this century.
-- Paul Ince spent 4 seasons at the end of his career playing for Wolves.  One of the seasons was spent in the Premiership.  He made honorable mentions only.
--  Ron Flowers was listed by Birmingham Mail,  90min.com and Daily Mail.  He was a member of the 1966 World Cup winning team.  Peter Broadbent was an inside forward mainly from the right side.  So he was probably an attack midfielder or right wing forward, but one source suggested that he might play in a deep position.  Kenny Hibbitt would be the creative force on the team.  The Birmingham Mail selected him as one of the Top 10 Greatest footballers from here. 
-- João Moutinho, a European Championship winner with Portugal, spent five seasons with the club. Rarely has a player of his caliber joined this team. During his debut season, he led them to the FA Cup semifinals and was named Wolverhampton Wanderers Player of the Year. Jim McCalliog was an inside forward, but probably acted as an attack midfielder in the modern terms.  He belonged to a glorious period in Wolves, but he also played 5 seasons here the same as Moutinho.  In the end, I took Moutinho simply because he was a more famous international player.
Joao Moutinho
-- In the wing or wide position, Dave Wagstaffe was a legendary left winger, while Jimmy Mullen was chosen by Birmingham Mail as one of Wolves' greatest players. Bill Slater also played as left-side wing-adding to the strength of the left side. I could not even find a spot for Robbie Dennison (N.Ireland). However, the situation on the right flank was more uncertain. Peter Broadbent, who operated as an inside forward on the right, could provide cover, but I required another wide right player for balance. Considering options, Johnny Hancocks and Billy Harrison, both members of their Hall of Fame, came into view. Hancocks, with an outstanding record of nearly 160 goals in around 340 games, stood out as an exceptional winger at the time. Opting for Hancocks over Harrison, who seemed somewhat forgotten, was a decision I made. Adama Traoré, a player with a cult following at the club, merited an honorable mention but did not secure a primary spot in the team.
Forwards
-- Derek Dougan, Steve Bull, and John Richards were unquestionable selections for the forward positions. The Wolvesblog recognized all three as among the club's five greatest players. Both Dougan and Bull were ranked in the top three by Daily Mail readers in the Wolves All-Time player poll.  
John Richards
-- Derek Dougan might be Wolves' greatest players.  He formed a striker force with John Richards that helped the club to reach the 1972 UEFA Cup Final.
-- The acquisition of Steve Bull by Wolves transformed the club, propelling them from the Fourth Division to the Second Division within two seasons. During this two seasons, Bull netted more than 50 goals per season, cementing his pivotal role in the team's rapid ascent.
-- Then, I decided to add two more forwards. In the 1938-1939 season, Dennis Westcott scored 43 goals in 43 appearances, setting a club record which stood for 50 years until it was broken by Steve Bull.  The last spot went to Andy Mutch who Steve Bull's partner in Wolves.  While going over discussion among Wolves fans, many people wanted to put him as one of the greatest ever from here. I thought of adding attack midfielder Jim McCalliog and winger Billy Harrison to the team, but I stayed with Mutch who as Steve Bull's assist man during their time over here.
-- There were many other candidates for this team. Jack Brodie was a founding figure of Wolverhampton Wanderers.  I gave him credit for his historical role, but not enough to make the team. Robbie Keane left too early.  He only played in the lower division. Peter Knowles cut short voluntarily his career because he became a Jehovah's Witness.  Raúl Jiménez and Diogo Jota probably did not stay long enough.  I also came across Ted Farmer and Jesse Pye.  Roy Swinbourne and Dennis Wilshaw are members of their Hall of Flame.

Formation
I could not play Steve Bull, Derek Dougan and John Richards on the same lineup.








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Friday, July 26, 2024

What if Haaland and Musiala played for England in Euro 2024

This blogger Artur Yanturin of Russia copied many of my blog teams.  This blog was one of them.  It was my Russia All-Time Team here.  His team was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014.  I also updated mine periodically.  I made mistakes. He is from Russia.  He should know the topic much more than I do, but he still kept my mistakes. He will copy this Belarus All-Time Team.  Please look at my other teams from the former Soviet Union.  He copied all of them.

His Facebook and Instagram

European Champion Final against Spain
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.  


In Euro 2024, England managed to reach the final, yet they fell short of securing their first international major trophy since 1966, losing to Spain in the final. This defeat added to a long list of disappointments and heartbreaks in England's football history, further prolonging their agony and their quest for a significant title.

Throughout the tournament, despite fielding a talented squad, England's performance in reaching the final was characterized by uninspired play. Despite the presence of standout players such as Jude Bellingham, who was named La Liga Player of the Year, Phil Foden, who earned both the FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season accolades, and Harry Kane, the Bundesliga Golden Boot winner, the team failed to consistently showcase their true potential on the pitch. 

However, there were active players who had the eligibility to represent the English national team but opted to play for other nations. This choice resulted in England being deprived of their services, even though their inclusion could have further strengthened the team. Erling Haaland who is considered to be the best players in the world was born in Leeds. Jamal Musiala played for England Under 21 team even after he relocated to Germany.  These players could have chosen to play for England leaves a lingering sense of what could have transpired England in the tournament.
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane
For this team, I was not looking for English players to challenge Southgate's selection.  Instead, it aimed to showcase players who had the potential to represent England but opted to play for other national teams. By assembling this team, the intention was to emphasize the missed opportunities and the talent that could have bolstered England's squad, potentially resulting in a triumphant campaign in the 2024 European Championship.  It acknowledges that the scenarios presented are highly unlikely but aims to create an enjoyable and engaging experience or fantasy for soccer fans worldwide. 


Players Added
Erling Haaland, Jamal Musiala, Scott McTominay, Antonee Robinson. 

Players Dropped 
Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Ivan Toney and Joe Gomez.

Prediction
Despite displaying uninspired play throughout the tournament, England managed to maintain an undefeated record in the actual tournament, progressing all the way to the Final. Their path to the ultimate showdown was notable for avoiding pre-tournament favorites France and Germany in the knockout stages, as these teams were situated in the opposite side of the bracket. Meanwhile, Spain emerged as a strong contender and arguably the best team in the tournament, also competing in the other bracket. This imaginary team could easily reach the Final and meet Spain.

In the summer of 2024, the best European players in the world were Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham.  In the actual tournament, Jamal Musiala shone brightly until Germany's elimination by Spain in the quarterfinals.  In this alternative universe, they would be all playing for England. On paper, the new look England appeared to possess a stronger lineup than Spain. Meanwhile, Spain, despite being a renowned footballing nation, did not have an abundance of household names in their squad. Players like Nico Williams, Dani Olmo, and Unai Simon were not playing for the more prominent European clubs. Similarly, Lamine Yamal from Barcelona, Fabián Ruiz from PSG, and Rodric from Manchester City were not widely recognized names in the footballing world, even though they hailed from esteemed clubs.  Aymeric Laporte was playing in Saudi Arabia at the time of the European Championship.

In the genuine Final (real world), England also featured well-known players who had established their fame in the football world. However, it was Spain who stole the show, displaying their prowess and outplaying England with a lineup that comprised relatively unknown players to those outside of Spain. Eighteen members of their team played domestic club football at home in Spain, but the best player on the Spanish league namely Jude Bellingham played on the English national team. Many players played for Real Sociedad or Athletic Bilbao in Basque.  The region has a strong football tradition so I create a Basque National Team in Euro 2024.  Nonetheless, Spain did not feature the same talents as their glorious era between 2008 and 2012.  This outcome served as a powerful reminder that football is not solely determined by individual star power but rather by the collective abilities, teamwork, and chemistry of a squad. Spain's victory against a team boasting more famous players underscored the unpredictable nature of the sport and the depth of talent that exists beyond the spotlight.  Furthermore, the new players did not solve England's problem in the midfield. I basically upgraded Harry Kane with Erling Haaland.  I do believe that this reinforced England team could beat Spain, but it is not a bygone conclusion. 

Teams (*** non-English international player)
GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Pickford has previously played for Sunderland's academy, reserve, and senior teams in addition to loan spells at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston North End. He signed for Everton for a fee of £25 million in June 2017. Pickford received his first call-up from the full England national team for the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Slovenia in October 2016, making his debut in November 2017 in a friendly against Germany. He helped England to the Final of both Euro 2020 and 2024.
Jordan Pickford
GK: Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)
Ramsdale began his senior club career playing for Sheffield United and signed for AFC Bournemouth in 2017. He alsp played for Chesterfield, AFC Wimbledon and Sheffield United. In 2021, Ramsdale signed for Arsenal in a club record transfer.  He has represented England at all levels from under-18 to the senior team, and won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2017. He was in the squad that finished as runners-up at both Euro 2020 and 2024, and the squad at the 2022 World Cup.

GK: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace)
Henderson  made his first-team debut for Manchester United against Luton Town in the EFL Cup in September 2020.  In 2023, he joined Crystal Palace after a series of loan spells in many clubs. Henderson has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-20, under-21 and senior levels. He was a member of the England under-20 squad that won the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, and the senior team that were runners-up at UEFA Euro 2020.

RB: Kyle Walker (Manchester City)
Walker started with Sheffield United F.C. In 2009, he joined Tottenham Hotspurs. He spent some time on loan before returning to Tottenham Hotspurs.  He established himself as one of England's best fullback. In 2017, he joined Manchester City winning the treble.. Since 2011, he has played for England. He represented England at the Euro 2016, 2020 and 2024 as well as the World Cup Finals in 2018 and 2022.

RB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)
Trippier was a youth product at Manchester City, but only spent his time on loan before joining Burnley. He spent three seasons with Burnley before joining Tottenham Hotspurs in 2015.  From 2019 to 2020, he played for Atletico Madrid.  In 2022, he joined Newcastle United.  In 2018, he received his fist callup for England after replacing the injured Walker at the club level. He went to 2018 and 2022 World Cup Finals as well as Euro 2020 and 2024.

RB/DM: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
Alexander-Arnold made his senior debut in 2016, at age 18, and played in back-to-back UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, winning the latter, and being named in the Champions League Squad of the Season.  He has thrice been named in the PFA Team of the Year, and helped end Liverpool's 30-year league title drought by winning the 2019–20 Premier League. Since 2018, he has played for England. He went to 2018 and 2022 World Cup Finals as well as Euro 2024.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 
CB/RB: Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa)
Konsa began with Charlton Athletic in 2016. He spent a year with  Championship club Brentford before joining Aston Villa in 2019. Konsa received his first call-up for the England senior team in November 2023 ahead of their UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Malta and North Macedonia.  He played in the Finals of Euro 2024 and was a starter in the match against Switzerland.

CB: Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace)
Guéhi came through the youth system at Chelsea and made his senior debut in 2019.  He joined Crystal Palace in 2021, becoming the club's third most expensive signing. Guéhi was a key part of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup winning squad. He made his debut for the senior team in 2022, and was a starting member of the squad that were runners-up at Euro 2024.

CB: Lewis Dunk (Brighton)
Dunk made his debut for Brighton in 2010, and was part of the team that won the League One title in the 2010–11 season. Dunk is uncapped at youth international level, despite being called up to the England under-21 squad in 2011. He made his senior England debut in 2018.  He went to euro 2024 for England. At the time of writing, he had 6 caps.

CB: John Stones (Manchester City)
Stones began his career with Barnsley, making his first-team debut in the Championship in 2012 as a 17-year-old. He joined Premier Everton  in January 2013.  He spent over four seasons at the Merseyside club.  In 2016, he signed for Manchester City.  He was a part of a historic continental treble in the 2022–23 season. With England, he made his debut in 2014.  He went to Euro 2016, 2020 and 2024, and the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022.
John Stones
LB: Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Shaw made his first-team debut for Southampton in 2011. In 2014, Shaw was signed by Manchester United for £30 million, then a world record transfer fee for a teenager. Shaw made his senior international debut for England in 2014. He went to the 2014 World Cup, but did not particpate in a big tournament until Euro 2020. He scored his first international goal in the Euro 2020 final, which was also the fastest scored in a UEFA European Championship final.

LB: Antonee Robinson (Fulham/USA) ***
Previously a youth player with Everton, Robinson went on loan spells to several EFL Championship clubs until signing with Premier League club Fulham in 2020. He won the 2023–24 Fulham Player of the Season award, and was considered one of the best left-backs of the season.  In 2014, he decided to play for the United States internationally.  He started as a youth international and earned his first senior cap in 2018. He went to the 2022 World Cup Finals.

DM/CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
Rice began his career at West Ham United.  Rice was signed by Arsenal in 2023 for a club record fee of £100 million, making him the joint-most expensive English player in history. Eligible to play for England or Ireland, Rice represented Ireland internationally at both youth and senior levels prior to 2019. He subsequently changed his national allegiance and made himself available for selection by England. Rice made his England debut in 2019 and has represented the country at Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup, and Euro 2024.
 Declan Rice 
DM/CM: Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
Mainoo is a graduate of Manchester United's youth system and won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award in 2023. He made his first-team debut in an EFL Cup match in January 2023. Mainoo played for England from under-17 youth level, before making his debut for the senior team in March 2024.

DM/CM/BTB: Scott McTominay (Manchester United/Scotland) ***
McTominay is a graduate of Manchester United's youth academy and made his senior debut for the club in May 2017. He has gone on to make more than 200 appearances for the club, winning the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. Born in England, McTominay qualifies to play for Scotland through his father hailing from Helensburgh. He made his senior international debut in March 2018, and represented the side at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

CM: Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace)
Beginning his career with Chelsea, Gallagher spent time on loan at Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace, between 2019 and 2022. At Crystal Palace, Gallagher was named the club's Player of the Year for the 2021–22 season. He subsequently made his first-team debut at Chelsea during the 2022–23 season. Gallagher made his debut for the national team in 2021. He went to  the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship.

CM: Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Wharton started his football career in the academy at Blackburn Rovers. He made his debut for Blackburn in the EFL Championship in 2022. He signed for Crystal Palace in February 2024. He was praised for his performances for an in-form Palace team, earning him selection for the England squad in UEFA Euro 2024.

CM/AM: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Jude Bellingham started with Birmingham City before he moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2020 making him the most expensive 17 years old in history.  In 2023, he won the Bundesliga Player of the Year.  That summer, he moved to Real Madrid where he had a starring role. At 17 years, 136 days, he became England's third-youngest full international when he played against Republic of Ireland in 2020.  He played in the 2022 World Cup Finals.
Jude Bellingham
RW/AM: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Palmer made his senior debut for Manchester City in 2020, and was later part of their squad that won a continental treble in 2023. He signed for Chelsea in 2023,  That season, he scored 22 goals and assisted 17,[4] earning him the club's Player of the Season as well as Premier League Young Player of the Season.  In 2023, he earned his first cap for England. He represented them at the 2024 European Championship.

RW/LW/LWB: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Saka has spent his entire first-team club career with Arsenal, where he has won an FA Cup and two FA Community Shields, progressively becoming one of Arsenal's most influential players. Following both the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, he was named as Arsenal's Player of the Season.  He was part of England's squads for UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024, which England finished as runners-up in both, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Bukayo Saka 
LW: Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)
Between 2017 and 2123, Gordon played for Everton.  In 2023, he moved to Newcastle United.  He helped England to win the 2023 European Under-21 Championship. He was named Player of the Tournament and also chosen in the Team of the Tournament.  In 2024, he earned his first senior cap.  He was a member of England's Euro 2024 team, but he was unused in the Finals.

RW/LW/AM: Phil Foden (Manchester City)
Foden was a key player for Manchester City that won a continental treble in the 2022-23 season. He became the youngest-ever goalscorer for his club in the Champions League in 2019. He was named the Premier League Young Player of the Season and the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022 respectively. In 2024, Foden was honored as the Premier League Player of the Season. Foden was part of the England squads for Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup, and Euro 2024.

RW/LW/AM: Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Born in Germany, he was raised from the age of seven in England. Musiala has played for both Germany and England at youth level, and eventually pledged his allegiance to the Germany in 2021. He has represented the side at Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup, and  Euro 2024. He was also one of the six players to win the Golden Boot at Euro 2024.  Since 2021, he played for Bayern Munich. He is considered one of the best young players in the world.
Jamal Musiala 
ST/FW: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Watkins played for Exeter City before departing in 2017 for Brentford. He had a successful three-year spell at the club.  In 2020, he signed for his present club, Aston Villa. In the summer of 2024, he was awarded the honour of the Premier League Playmaker of the Season.  In 2021, he earned his first cap.  In 2024, he scored the winning goal against Netherlands at the semi-final of Euro 2024 in Germany.  

ST: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Haaland started his career at his hometown club Bryne in 2016, and moved to Molde the following year. He then joined Red Bull Salzburg in 2019. At Salzburg, he won two Austrian Bundesliga titles and one Austrian Cup.  In 2019, he joined Borussia Dortmund, where he is considered one of the best players in the world.  He joined Manchester City in 2022.  Since 2019, he has played for the senior national team.  His father also played for Norway.
Erling Haaland 
ST: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
At the time of writing, Kane has played his entire career with Tottenham Hotspurs, except a few seasons on loan.  Kane made his first-team debut for Tottenham on 25 August 2011.  He finished top scorer of both the 2015–16 and the 2016–17 Premier League seasons, and aided Tottenham in qualifying for the UEFA Champions League on both occasions.  In 2024, he joined Bayern Munich before breaking the Premiership All-Time scoring record.  For England, he has earned over 98 caps since 2015

Squad Explanation
-- For this team, I was not looking for English players to challenge Gareth Southgate's selection.  Instead, it aimed to showcase players who had the potential to represent England but opted to play for other national teams. By assembling this team, the intention was to emphasize the missed opportunities and the talent that could have bolstered England's squad, potentially resulting in a triumphant campaign in the 2024 European Championship. I did not study Emglish players rejected by Southgate/
-- Gareth Southgate is not the manager of this team.  I am the manager of this team, but I used his squad as the basis of this team.
-- This team consisted La Liga Player of the Year Jude Bellingham, and FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season Phil Foden.  Additionally, the team boasted the presence of Harry Kane, the Golden Boot winner in the Bundesliga, and Erling Haaland, who achieved the same feat in the Premier League.
Harry Kane
-- Jamal Musiala would be reunited with his Bayern Munich teammate Harry Kane.  Erling Haaland is playing with Phil Foden in Manchester City, and he was a teammate of Jude Bellingham in Borussia Dortmund.
-- Four players each came from Crystal Palace and Manchester City, three from Manchester United and Arsenal, and two each from Bayern Munich,  Aston Villa, and Newcastle United.
-- I also created a Basque national team in Euro 2024.
Goalkeepers
-- Kasper Schmeichel's extended childhood residence in England would have fulfilled the five-year residential requirement for British citizenship.  However, both he and his father dismissed the possibility of him representing England early on his career. 
-- Joe Hart's last game for England was in November 2017, coinciding with Schmeichel's rise and making him a potential replacement for Hart.  Other goalkeepers who played for England in 2017 and 2018 included Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland, John Ruddy, Fraser Forster, Tom Heaton, and Nick Pope. None of them could match Schmeichel's abilities, in which he could have a long career as England starting goalkeeper.  However, by the time of Euro 2024 , Schmeichel, at 37 years old, was playing for Anderlecht in Belgium, while Pickford should be the clear choice as England's number one goalkeeper. So I decided to retain the existing 3 goalkeepers, as Schmeichel's opportunities had passed, and it would be a fresh start to explore new possibilities. 
Defenders
-- Harry Maguire, who had been a crucial player for Gareth Southgate, was unable to make the team due to an injury, leaving England with a significant void in the central defender position.  However, despite his absence, the players who filled the position for England in Germany proved to be capable.  Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah were interesting prospects, but I decided not to change the team.
-- Southgate faced a bigger challenge with the left-back position during the tournament. Luke Shaw had been sidelined due to injury for the past 4 months. Ben Chilwell's previous season was also marred by injuries, which limited his availability. Southgate did not consider Levi Colwill or Tyrick Mitchell.  In Germany, he had central defender Joe Gomez who had played as a left-back during his time at Liverpool at his disposal, but Southgate used rightback Kieran Trippier out of position in the left-back role for the initial 6 games of the tournament. 
Luke Shaw
-- England's left-sided attack was consistently underwhelming throughout the tournament. Phil Foden failed to make an impact and seemed almost non-existent. Even when Bukayo Saka was deployed as a left wingback against Switzerland, the attacking prowess did not improve. The blame was placed on Trappier's lack of familiarity with playing out of position, as he struggled to offer adequate support on the left side.  In the Final against Spain, Southgate took a significant gamble by starting Luke Shaw. This decision indicated Southgate's lack of trust in Trippier's abilities as a left-back. It was a bold move to rely on Shaw, considering his recent injury and lack of match fitness. In the match, Shaw had a decent performance overall. Although he was partially responsible for losing his position and allowing Lamine Yamal to cross the ball freely, it was Kyle Walker who left Nico Williams unmarked on the other side, resulting in the first goal for Spain.  The second goal was about a breakdown on the right side.
-- Antonee Robinson could have been the solution to England's problem on the leftback position. He was born and raised in England, but he chose to represent the USA.  Widely recognized as one of the Premier League's finest left-backs, he recorded an impressive 81 interceptions, the highest in the Premier League in the 2023-2024 season, in which he won the Fulham Player of the Season award.  If he os good enough in the Premiership, he is good enough in the Euro 2024. At the time of the Euro 2024, he was representing the United States in the Copa America. In this alternative universe, England was able to bring him back.  I do think that he would be selected by Southgate if he was eligible.
Antonee Robinson 
-- During the Euro 2024 Finals, England had two unused defenders on their roster, namely Lewis Dunk and Joe Gomez. In Liverpool, Gomez had served as a backup for several years, but due to injuries within his club team during this season, he gained significant playing time. His improved performances earned him a recall to the national team in 2024.  Lewis Dunk on the other hand had been with the national team in 2023 during qualifiers.  So I dropped Gomez to make way for Robinson.
Midfielders
-- Declan Rice is highly regarded as a top defensive midfielder when it comes to halting counter attacks and winning possession.  His nickname is "Yorkshire Pirlo", but his passing skills are limited.  In fact, he needed a deep lying playmaker or another "Pirlo" who could complement his game.  Southgate first turned to Trent Alexander-Arnold.  In Liverpool, despite usually being positioned as a right-back, he often drifted into midfield and excel as a deep-lying playmaker. This prompted many to consider him to start in the midfield for England in the Euro 2024 Finals. However, his campaign in Germany ultimately proved to be disastrous. He would be replaced by Conor Gallagher who also failed to ignite England's midfield.  Gallagher was subsequently replaced by Kobbie Mainoo who went on to start all of England's knockout stage matches. Mainoo demonstrated significant improvement overall, but at the age of 19, he was not yet equipped to lead the English midfield.  
-- In the absence of a midfielder capable of setting the game's tempo, Jude Bellingham found himself dropping deeper to retrieve the ball. This deeper role contrasted with his position in Madrid, where he operated between the number 10 and false 9 positions. With Bellingham playing deeper, England looked disconnected in the attack.  Furthermore, Foden had to retreat to the midfield as there was no natural left-back behind him. This led to Kane and Saka becoming isolated. So, England also needed a runner or shuttler who could penetrate and a deep lying midfielder who moved the ball around.
-- James Maddison probably would not have helped much.  He played a more advanced role.  Anyway, at the end of the season, he was not playing well.  
-- The Lancaster-born Scott McTominay who played for Scotland in Euro 2024 could be a great addition to the Three Lions.  Although he may not be considered a playmaker, his true strength lies in his role as a shuttler. He excels in defensive phases, holding his ground against opponents effectively, and displays remarkable versatility by seamlessly transitioning from box to box.  The description provided aligns with the qualities exhibited by Kalvin Phillips in his prime. In Euro 2021, Rice often stayed back as pivot while Philips made his surging runs. Unfortunately, Philips had not been the same since 2021.  If England cannot find a deep lying playmaker, it must include a shuttler who can bring the ball upfield through running.  McTominay also showcased his offensive prowess during the qualifiers. Leading his qualifying group with 7 goals, he outperformed notable attackers like Erling Haaland, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Álvaro Morata.  His goal tally ranked 6th overall in all groups, just one goal behind Harry Kane and two goals behind Kylian Mbappé. Remarkably, all of his goals were scored from open play, without relying on penalties.
Scott McTominay
-- Conor Gallagher can be that runner on the team, but he does not have the same defensive skills as McTominay.  Kobbie Mainoo not only possesses most of the qualities that McTominay brings to England's team, but he might even surpass him in certain areas. Notably, Mainoo excels in the crucial aspect of making intelligent passes, an area where McTominay tends to struggle. So, England did not need McTominay, but I would still gamble with him.
-- Adam Wharton's sideways passes from deep positions address a significant deficiency England faced in Germany. Interestingly, Trent Alexander-Arnold, despite demonstrating this aspect of his game consistently throughout the season with Liverpool, somehow failed to fulfill this role. However, Wharton did not make his debut in the Premiership until February 24.  He was untested at a higher level, but I would still take him because the lack of a deep lying playmaker on the team.  So instead of cutting a midfielder, I decided to release a forward.  The original midfield corps stay intact.
Forwards
-- The forward trio of Phil Foden, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka did not yield the expected results for England, despite not being a new combination. 
-- Harry Kane won the Golden Boot in the Bundesliga.  His ability as a goal scorer was never in doubt. Interestingly, many analysts highlight that Foden's most successful position throughout his Manchester City career has been on the left and center. Due to Bellingham's presence, Foden couldn't be utilized in the center, but the left side still proved effective for him. I already addressed the issue of the leftback position, but it remains a mystery as to why Foden's performance in Germany was lackluster. During England's time in Germany, there was widespread anticipation among English fans for Bukayo Saka to be deployed on the left side. Southgate eventually assigned him to that side in the match against Switzerland. But Saka's performance in that role was not particularly impactful. As a result, Southgate faced significant criticism for his decision, despite the fact that many people had initially called for Saka's inclusion on the left side. Interestingly, Saka began his career on the left before transitioning to the right.  In my opinion, Saka's best position is on the right wing. So, I had no issue of the positioning of the front three.
Phil Foden
-- So, I could not really offer any solution to England's uninspired attack.  I can only add two talented young players to upgrade the overall standard of the team.
--  Erling Haaland was born in Leeds when his father, Alfie, was playing for Leeds United at the time.  His birth right would have given him an UK citizenship.  However, his roots and allegiance firmly lie with Norway, but I would still cut a forward for Haaland. 
-- Ollie Watkins had a remarkable season with Aston Villa in the Premier League.  He won the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award for providing the most assists. He also finished as the 5th top scorer in the league. He also made the Premier League Fan Team of the Season.  He and Cole Palmer were safe from being cut.  Palmer was one of the bright stars in the English league the season before.  Meanwhile, Ivan Toney was banned from football until January 2024.  He only scored 4 goals in the Premiership after his return from suspension.  Of all players on the team, he had the quietest season. Haaland could be seen as a direct replacement for him.
-- Born in Germany, Jamal Musiala grew up in England alongside Jude Bellingham. He continued to play for England Under 21 team even after his family moved back to Germany.  As a result, the possibility of him donning the England jersey at senior level was more realistic, but unfortunately, he opted for Germany in the senior level.
-- Musiala's ability to play as an attacking midfielder or a wide attacker, particularly on the left side turned both Anthony Gordon and Eberechi Eze into expendable. Gordon was named the European Under-21 Championship Player of the Tournament in 2023.  He also has been an exciting young player in the 2023-2024 season. I had to take him for future development.  On the right, Jarrod Bowen has been great in West Ham, but Cole Palmer was one of the hottest breakthrough players this season. So, I cut both Bowen and Eze.  Foden, Musiala and Saka could cover both sides of the wide positions.  And then, I have Gordon and Palmer covering the right side, making it five players for two positions.

Formation I
4-4-2
This formation will field the best players altogether in the starting lineup.  The idea of Haaland and Harry Kane forming a formidable strike partnership is a tantalizing prospect that should fuels the dreams of every English fans.  However, I am not a big fan of double-striker setup.  I also prefer Bellingham to play in a more advanced role with two midfielders behind him.  I used Alexander-Arnold because he could step in the midfield to play make liked he does in Liverpool.



Formation II
4-3-3
The 4-3-3 formation might be better.  In the first match against Serbia, I would not have known that Alexander-Arnold was not the right player in the midfield until after the match.  Mainoo would replace him in the second or third matches.  Scott McTominay might also serve as a runner on the team if Mainoo does not work out. I put Foden on the right because Musiala is better on the left.  I also would not have known that Foden was out of shape.



Formation III
4-3-3
This lineup marks a significant revolution. Rice showcased his prowess as one of England's finest players in Germany.  Dropping Rice will be controversial, but McTominay and Mainoo bring added dimensions to the game. Mainoo could excel as the deep-lying playmaker, complemented by McTominay's role as the shuttle or runner.  Bellingham would be less isolated with McTominay than Rice. Together, they would give the midfield a better balance. With Foden experiencing a dip in form during the tournament, Saka is likely to step in at some point to fill his shoes.





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