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Euro 2016: The Sports Mole team decides who should make England's starting XI

Members of the Sports Mole team pick who should start England's first match of next summer's European Championships in France.

Having eased through qualification with a 100% winning record, Roy Hodgson will have already turned his attention to next summer's European Championships in France.

Hodgson used a total of 33 players over the course of the 10 qualifying matches, but of course only 11 of those can start England's opening group fixture in June.

Roy 'Royston' Hodgson watches on during an England training session on September 4, 2015© Getty Images

Who should get the nod? Here, the Sports Mole team has decided who they think should be in Hodgson's starting lineup.


Nathan Staples, Reporter

Hart; Bertrand, Smalling, Stones, Clyne; Carrick, Henderson, Barkley; Walcott, Rooney, Sterling

Ryan Bertrand is a more viable long-term option than Leighton Baines with Luke Shaw injured. so needs to start. Ross Barkley has really impressed but the midfield still needs an anchor, which is why Michael Carrick is in but England are pretty desperate for another player alongside the Manchester United man.

No question about the front three, though, as it gives you pace and versatility while also providing you with the option to bring someone like Kane on to switch things up. You could also drop to a 4-2-3-1 by taking one of Jordan Henderson or Barkley or even Wayne Rooney off for a more out-and-out forward.


Pascal Lemesre, Championship Correspondent

Hart; Clyne, Stones, Smalling, Shaw; Henderson, Wilshere; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Barkley, Sterling; Kane

At this stage, I think that very few, if any, players already have their name on the teamsheet. The safest is probably Joe Hart and although I'm sure the Manchester City man will be between the sticks in France, I don't think that it will be long before Jack Butland really challenges him for the number-one jersey.

The full-back slots look strong as long as Nathaniel Clyne stays fit and Luke Shaw returns in time. Even if the latter doesn't, there are plenty of options at left-back. On current form, John Stones and Chris Smalling should start at centre-back, but there is a case for Phil Jagielka if the Everton man keeps it up and builds a strong relationship with Stones at club level. Gary Cahill might be vice-captain, but he's fourth in line at centre-half as long as Jose Mourinho keeps fiddling his backline.

Ats Purje of Estonia and Gary Cahill of England challenge for the ball during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E qualifying match between England and Estonia at Wembley on October 9, 2015 in London, United Kingdom.© Getty Images

Further forward, Wayne Rooney should not start, unless he has a much-improved second half to the season. Simple as that. No matter what the record and stats say from qualifying, anyone watching those games can see that he isn't deserving of a place when others, like Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, play the ball faster and more incisively. Rooney is not cut out to be an out-and-out striker and either Harry Kane or Daniel Sturridge should lead the line.

Whoever Hodgson chooses at the back, the defence should be fairly sound, but it is further forward where he has to make bold decisions, most importantly ditching Rooney. With Kane, Sturridge, Sterling, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Barkley, Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott all 26 or under, there is no place for a past-his-peak Rooney.


Matt Law, La Liga Correspondent

Hart; Clyne, Stones, Smalling, Shaw; Barkley, Carrick, Wilshere; Sturridge, Rooney, Walcott

For me, the goalkeeper and back four picks itself. If Luke Shaw is fit then he's England's best left-back, while Chris Smalling and John Stones are both having excellent seasons and would complement each other.

It is a bit more complicated further forward, but Jack Wilshere should be in if fit, while Michael Carrick will provide a base from the excellent Ross Barkley to build from. Up top, skipper Wayne Rooney still has to start despite struggling over the last 18 months, but Harry Kane might take that spot with a strong second half to the season. Theo Walcott is a no-brainer and Daniel Sturridge also has to be in if fit. Raheem Sterling has not really done enough for me to be a certain starter.

Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling in action for England against Denmark on March 05, 2014.© Getty Images


Steven Toplis, Reporter

Hart; Clyne, Smalling, Stones, Shaw; Carrick, Wilshere, Barkey; Sterling, Rooney, Walcott

John Stones might not have the experience of Gary Cahill, but he's a real talent and should be given the chance to forge a partnership with the improved Chris Smalling at centre-back. Phil Jagielka and, to a lesser extent, Cahill were exposed at times at the World Cup, so Stones and Smalling would be an upgrade there. Luke Shaw, provided he returns in time from his leg break, should start at left-back.

I would play Michael Carrick at the base of a midfield three as he is the only real defensive midfielder England have - his experience and composure in possession will be key in that deeper role. Jack Wilshere and Ross Barkley ahead of him have the licence to get forward and create. I'd like to see Barkley be the most advanced of the three, with Wilshere dropping deeper as and when Carrick needs support.

Despite his form of late, Wayne Rooney remains a quality player and, as captain, it's hard to see him being dropped. Raheem Sterling and Theo Walcott start on the wings either side of the striker. England might find that a counter-attacking style works best for them against the stronger teams in France, so the pace that these two bring to the side would be a real weapon, not to mention their goal threat.


Callum Mulvihill, Reporter

Hart; Clyne, Stones, Smalling, Baines; Carrick, Henderson; Walcott, Rooney, Sterling; Kane

Nathaniel Clyne is certainly the best right-back England have right now, and while Ryan Bertrand is impressing once again, Leighton Baines would be the safer option if Luke Shaw is not ready to return on the other side of defence. Gary Cahill has been solid for England over the last couple of years, but he has not looked the same player for Chelsea recently and I think it would be a huge mistake not to partner John Stones with Chris Smalling as soon as possible.

Chris Martin of Scotland and Chris Smalling of England compete for the ball during the International Friendly match on November 19, 2014© Getty Images

Ross Barkley's recent form means he is close to a starting spot, but I do not trust him to keep the ball well enough against the best sides next summer. Having said that, he should still have a big role to play. Michael Carrick's experience in front of the back four could be key, while Jordan Henderson's energy would allow him to get involved at both ends.

Selecting those two allows the front four to be even more attacking, and I think Wayne Rooney would relish the opportunity to work with Harry Kane, who is a nuisance for all defenders even when he is not finding the back of the net. Daniel Sturridge will surely push him hard, but it is Kane who I believe would work better with the trio behind him.


Darren Plant, Reporter

Hart; Clyne, Stones, Jagielka, Baines; Carrick, Henderson; Sterling, Barkley, Sturridge; Kane

Leaving out England's current captain and vice-captain is perhaps unrealistic, but that is not to say that manager Roy Hodgson should not be considering such omissions ahead of their first game at Euro 2016. The simple fact is that neither Wayne Rooney or Gary Cahill have produced anywhere near their best form so far this season, and other solutions need to be established before the opening fixture in France.

I would pick John Stones over Cahill due to the understanding that he has developed with Everton teammate Phil Jagielka, and his reading of the game should benefit the Three Lions on the international stage. As for Rooney, while he recently became England's record goalscorer, there are enough options in the squad that ensures that his involvement is not essential, and if everyone is fit, England would possess more creativity, pace and variety through the quartet of Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley, Daniel Sturridge and Harry Kane.

rry Kane of England celebrates scoring the first goal during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group E qualifying match between England and Switzerland at Wembley Stadium on September 8, 2015© Getty Images

Given his lack of appearances during the qualifying campaign, the selection of Michael Carrick may potentially be a risk but while the involvement of England's brightest stars should be encouraged, they need a calming influencing in the middle of the park to allow Jordan Henderson the freedom to make the best use of his energy in all areas of the pitch. If the Liverpool man is restricted to the holding role, England will not be taking advantage of his most effective attributes.


Liam Apicella, Features Editor

Hart; Clyne, Stones, Smalling, Bertrand; Carrick, Henderson; Sterling, Barkley, Walcott; Kane

Obviously the goalkeeper picks himself, as does the right-back. Yet, the centre-backs and left-back are a different story. I've never personally been a huge fan of Gary Cahill - he's solid, but nothing more, while it was clear during the World Cup that Phil Jagielka is not international class. In contrast, John Stones has shown that he has the potential to be one of Europe's best defenders in the future and Chris Smalling's development over the last 12 months or so has seen him become a leader in the Manchester United backline. Out on the left, Luke Shaw's injury is a big blow, although Ryan Bertrand is decent cover.

England need a holding midfielder that is capable of passing to a white shirt and while Carrick has struggled for form this season, he is probably still the best option, particularly when you consider that Jack Wilshere seems to be made of glass. Jordan Henderson provides plenty of energy, which means that there is no need for James Milner. Raheem Sterling and Theo Walcott offer pace, mobility and movement, while Ross Barkley is starting to fulfill his undoubted promise in a central attacking possession.

It's partly the inclusion of Barkley that has convinced me to drop the captain. Wayne Rooney may be England's leading goalscorer, but quite simply, he looks shot to bits. He may go on to prove me wrong over the course of the season, but right now there is so much wrong with his game. He's not scoring or creating enough goals, his first touch and passing are poor and he can no longer get around the pitch like he once did. His liking for dropping deep would also see him occupy the spaces that Barkley wants to be in. Up front, Harry Kane has got the nod, but if Daniel Sturridge can prove his fitness over the coming months, I'd be tempted to go with the Liverpool frontman.


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Harry Kane of England celebrates after scoring on his debut during the EURO 2016 Qualifier match between England and Lithuania at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2015
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