Gareth Southgate may have just dropped a few hints with England’s squad numbers for Euro 2024 confirmed.
The Three Lions head coach announced his 26-man squad on Thursday with Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire among those axed.
Friday saw England play their final pre-tournament warm-up match against Iceland, ending in a disappointing 1-0 defeat.
The game also offered a hint on what Southgate’s preferred starting line-up will be for their opening group game against Serbia next Sunday.
Gareth Southgate has hinted at his team selection
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Harry Kane started his first game after brushing off a niggling injury he sustained in the final few weeks of the Bundesliga season with Bayern Munich.
Jude Bellingham was unavailable after being given the week off following Real Madrid’s Champions League win last Saturday while Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon were given chances to impress.
Southgate will be hoping for a much better display from his England side by the time they face off against Serbia next week.
And he’s already given a few hints on what his team selection will be for their opening group game after the release of England’s official squad numbers for the Euros.
England’s full starting XI against Serbia almost writes itself with all but Luke Shaw from the players given jerseys numbered 1-11 expected to start.
The Manchester United full-back hasn’t played competitive football since February and is England’s only natural left-back in Southgate’s squad.
The squad numbers also appear to confirm that both John Stones and Marc Guehi will be the preferred pairing in defence for the Euros.
The game against Iceland was only the second time Guehi and Stones have played alongside each other for England in an untried partnership at the back.
Jude Bellingham looks set to start centrally over Phil Foden
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But Southgate appears to have seen enough from both of them to trust they can provide Jordan Pickford with the best protection.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was listed as a midfielder in the initial England squad and being given the No 8 jersey confirms that he’ll likely be used in that position throughout the Euros.
It also suggests that he’s now won Southgate over to become a regular starter in a midfield three.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to start in midfield
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That midfield unit looks almost certain to be spearheaded by Bellingham, who has been given the No 10 jersey.
There was a debate on whether Bellingham or Phil Foden will take the central midfield spot with the other playing out wide.
However, Bellingham has been given the No 10 jersey to suggest he will play centrally ahead of Foden who will likely play out wide.
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