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Lineker, Shearer and Richards pick their England XI for Euro 2024

10 June 2024 , 09:48
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Richards picked a star in a new position in his XI
Richards picked a star in a new position in his XI

BBC football pundits Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have revealed their England starting XI's for Euro 2024.

And the three of them have clearly been influencing each other considering the striking similarity of their teams.

Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards named their England XI's for Euro 2024 eiqreiriuuprw
Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards named their England XI's for Euro 2024Credit: TWITTER/GARY LINEKER
The three named Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden in midfield
The three named Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden in midfieldCredit: Reuters
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka was named up front
Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka was named up frontCredit: Getty
Marc Guehi was favoured as the trios answer to replace Harry Maguire
Marc Guehi was favoured as the trios answer to replace Harry MaguireCredit: Getty

However, while Lineker and Shearer named identical teams, Richards threw a spanner in the works by naming one star in a new position.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the trio universally named Everton star Jordan Pickford in goal, with Newcastle icon Shearer saying he had had a "great season" with the Toffees.

Kyle Walker was an easy choice at right-back, with Kieran Trippier selected at left-back both due to the fitness concerns surrounding Luke Shaw.

Man Utd back-up goalkeeper Martin Dubravka recalled by NewcastleMan Utd back-up goalkeeper Martin Dubravka recalled by Newcastle

All three bemoaned the absence of Harry Maguire at the heart of defence after he was axed from the squad through injury, but backed Marc Guehi to deputise next to John Stones.

Lineker and Shearer both opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, while Richards went for an attacking 4-3-3 shape.

This being said, the three centre-midfielders all remained the same, with Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden picked.

Captain Harry Kane and England's 2022 and 2023 Player of the Year Bukayo Saka were the next picks up front and on the right wing respectively.

However, it was the left wing position where The Rest Is Football trio had differing opinions.

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Lineker and Shearer both opted for Anthony Gordon as their left-winger, while Richards selected Premier League Young Player of the Season Cole Palmer there.

But he caveated the selection by saying Gordon would have been his main pick if not to his co-hosts selections.

Explaining his pick, Richards said: "I mean we can't all pick the same team.

"I've been talking about Gordon all season and in fairness to him, since he won the 21s tournament, was playing as like a false 9 at times, I would play him on the left.

How Arsenal could line up against Newcastle with Arteta to name unchanged XIHow Arsenal could line up against Newcastle with Arteta to name unchanged XI

"I just think he brings balance to the team.

"But I'm not going to pick him because it's going to be boring, so I'm going to put Cole Palmer on the left. Rotation.

All three were fans of Anthony Gordon being in the team
All three were fans of Anthony Gordon being in the teamCredit: Getty
But Richards named Chelsea star Cole Palmer to throw up a change
But Richards named Chelsea star Cole Palmer to throw up a changeCredit: Getty
Lineker and Shearer named an identical England XI for Euro 2024
Lineker and Shearer named an identical England XI for Euro 2024
Micah Richards one change came with Cole Palmer playing off the left instead of Anthony Gordon
Micah Richards one change came with Cole Palmer playing off the left instead of Anthony Gordon

"Gordon would have been in my XI but to change things up I'm going with Palmer on the left."

Today the team are travelling to their five-star Golfresort Weimarer Land base camp, near to east-German town of Blankenhain, which the FA have reportedly paid £800,000 for.

After acclimatising to their surroundings, the first training session the team will then have will commence on Tuesday June 11.

England kick off their tournament on Sunday June 16 against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.

The Three Lions will then play Denmark in Frankfurt on June 20 before the final group game against Slovenia in Cologne on June 25.

Since a strong qualifying campaign ending in November, England have not been in ideal form going into the tournament.

March saw England lose 1-0 to Brazil and draw 2-2 to Belgium.

England then landed their first win of 2024 against Bosnia Herzegovina on June 3 with a 3-0 victory, before being stunned 1-0 by Iceland last Friday.

Tony Robertson

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