After the Euro 2020 Championships was pushed back until next year due to the impact and devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, it began to feel as though forever would pass before getting to watch our beloved England National Team partake in another international tournament after the joy and heartache of the 2018 World Cup – which saw us reach the semi-finals of the competition for the first time in 28 years.

Many fans were looking towards this year’s Euro’s with great optimism – due to the recent ability of the England team as well as the abundance of young English talent coming through the ranks over recent years, giving many fans like myself a reason to hope again that the National Team will again one day bring football home.

Despite the competition being moved to next year – there are still plenty of positives to take from that. It ultimately gives Gareth Southgate more time to prepare and plan, and also gives plenty more youngster and England internationals to fight for a spot and prove themselves given they have another season to perform at their best ahead of Southgate’s final 23-man squad.

With all that being said, it would be interesting to try and take a stab at how Southgate might lineup in their countries first game of the Euro’s next season – and with that being said, this is my predicted starting XI for England’s first game of Euro 2020 in a favoured 4-3-3 formation…

GK – Dean Henderson

This season will be the 23-year-olds first full season at United since being loaned out to Sheffield United in 2018 for two seasons, which saw him get promoted with the Blades to the Premier League, eventually finishing in 9th place in their first season back.

Henderson kept 13 clean sheets in 36 league appearances last campaign, and next season it is likely that he will establish himself as United’s new No.1 after the poor form of Spanish shot-stopper David De Gea. It is likely that if Henderson plays first-team football regularly next season, he will be Southgate’s first choice for the Euro’s over Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

RB – Trent Alexander-Arnold

The youngster has become one of the biggest talents in world football over recent years, becoming Liverpool’s first-choice right-back, and winning the Premier League Young Player of the Year Award last season.

The club’s title-winning campaign saw Alexander-Arnold register 13 assists and scored 4 goals at full-back, and the 21-year-old will likely be a shoo-in for Southgate at right-back for the tournament next year, with the player essentially helping to revolutionise the way full-backs operate in modern football.

CB – Joe Gomez

Another Liverpool defender in the mix – Joe Gomez has become one of the countries best defenders over the past few seasons. Along with Virgil van Dijk at the Reds, Gomez has evolved his game from full-back to a competent and reliant central defender, who possesses great speed and physicality.

Last season during the club’s title-winning campaign, the 23-year-old averaged 1.4 interceptions, 2.1 clearances, and 2.5 aerial duels won per game. The player has also become a great passer of the ball, something that Southgate has favoured in his choice of defenders over the past couple of years, averaging an 88% pass success rate – and will likely be one of the managers first-choice centre-backs next year.

CB – Harry Maguire

Since his world-record move to Manchester United last season, the defender has helped the clubs defensive record in the league immensely. The season before joining, the Red Devils conceded 54 goals in the league, but last season the club only conceded 36, garnering the third-best defence in the league.

His individual stats for the last campaign were also impressive – averaging 1 tackle, 1.9 interceptions, 4.1 clearances, and 4.6 aerial duels won per game. If he can carry this form into next season, there is no doubt that he will be Southgate’s other first-choice centre-back for England in their opening game.

LB – Ben Chilwell

The left-back recently moved to Chelsea this month, and will likely become the club’s first choice over Marco Alonso and Emerson. Last season saw the defender finish 5th in the league with Leicester City – and his stats boasted a fine run of form for the season.

The 23-year-old finished with 3 goals and 3 assists, as well as averaging 1.6 tackles, 1 interception, 2 clearances, and 2.1 aerial duels won per game – and has been one of the countries first choice options at left-back for some time now. His recent move to Chelsea will certainly help him progress further as a player, and will likely make him a guarantee at left-back for Southgate and his team.

CM – Declan Rice

Since making the switch from the Republic of Ireland to England, the 21-year-old has been capped once for the Three Lions in an impressive performance against the Czech Republic – and had a stellar season for the Hammers last time out.

Last season, Rice averaged 3.1 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1.3 clearances, and 1.4 aerial duels won per game from defensive midfield – all stats and aspects that would benefit England in that position, with them failing to find a proper defensive midfielder for some time now. Rice looks the right player to fill this void, and will likely be Southgate’s go-to in midfield.

CM – Jordan Henderson

The 30-year-old has become one of Liverpool’s most important players over recent years since becoming the club’s captain – and last season lifted the Premier League trophy for the club, along with the Champions League the season before.

For England, it has often been the same case, with Henderson becoming a regular choice for Southgate’s squads during each international break. At Euro 2020 the midfielder will be 31 and will provide the squad with some much-needed experience in midfield as well as in the dressing room at big tournaments for the country, making him the managers second go too in deep midfield alongside Declan Rice.

CAM – Jack Grealish

The Aston Villa captain finally received his first England call up this month, a well-deserved accolade after an impressive season for the Villans in their return to the Premier League.

Last season saw Grealish finish the campaign with 8 goals and 6 assists – as well as creating the second most amount of chances in the Premier League, sitting behind only Kevin De Bruyne. Grealish could be the attacking midfielder with the creativity that England has needed for some time now, with many tournaments highlighting our lack of flair from attacking midfield. If Grealish can have another stellar campaign for Villa next season, it is almost certain that Southgate should choose him in attacking midfield for England.

RW – Jadon Sancho

Another player that is a certain shoo-in for the starting XI at Euro 2020 – Jadon Sancho has gone on to become one of the best players in the world last season in the Bundesliga, the 20-year-old scored 17 goals with 16 assists, an incredible record for a player so young – but clearly the stats showcase the talent and ability that Sancho possesses.

England only have a handful of top class wingers at their disposal, but from the right-hand side, there is no other player to start at right-wing for Southgate other than Jadon Sancho.

LW – Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling has been one of England’s best players for the past few seasons now – last season saw the winger produce one of his best goal-scoring seasons yet, with 20 goals and 1 assist in the Premier League for City, finishing as the club’s top goalscorer in the league. Sterling has proven himself as a world-class player, and there is no other person to start at left-wing for England come the Euro’s next year – and will be one of Southgate’s go-to players to rely on during the tournament.

ST – Harry Kane

Our final player to make the starting XI – it is no other than England captain Harry Kane. We can go over the stats, such as his 143 goals in 210 games Premier League appearances for Spurs, but we all know the ability and goalscoring prowess that he posseses – and will be the first name on Southgate’s teamsheet every time.

With Kane finishing off the England front three, there is no doubt in my mind that this starting XI has the capability to win the Euro’s next year – and if Southgate were to opt for anything close to this, then we should all be very excited for next summer.