da luck: As England gear up for March friendlies as well as Euro 2024 this summer, WhoScored have picked their strongest XI based on form this season.
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England gearing up for Euro 2024WhoScored pick strongest XI on formUsual suspects joined by surprise namesWHAT HAPPENED?
Gareth Southgate named his 23-man squad to take on Brazil and Belgium in March friendlies last week in what will be the final England camp before this summer's European Championship. One thing the Three Lions boss has often been criticised for is not picking his teams based on form, but with WhoScored's latest offering (via ) that possibility has been removed. Usual suspects Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham feature, as they are joined by a surprise Everton duo at the back.
AdvertisementENGLAND FORM XI IN FULL
GK: Nick Pope (Newcastle)
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
CB: James Tarkowski (Everton)
CB: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
LB: Kieran Trippier (Newcastle)
RCM: James Maddison (Tottenham)
CM: Declan Rice (Arsenal)
LCM: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
RW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
ST: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
LW: Phil Foden (Manchester City)
theguardian.comTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Kane and Bellingham's selections are no surprises, given that they have both been among the standout performers across Europe this season following their respective transfers to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. As a result, they both record the highest WhoScored ratings, with City and Arsenal wingers Foden and Saka shortly behind.
At the back, an all-Everton centre-half partnership keeps the typical combination of Harry Maguire and John Stones out, with Tarkowski not even making Southgate's most recent 23-man list. Branthwaite was called up, however, having enjoyed a stellar campaign under Sean Dyche this term. He will surely be hoping for a call-up to the tournament in Germany ahead of a potentially very active summer transfer window.
GOALDID YOU KNOW?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, WhoScored's list makes no mention of Jordan Henderson, whose selection by Southgate last week astounded most England fans given his nightmare season for Al-Ettifaq and now Ajax. The last-minute decision to call up Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo offset some of that concern, as he looks to make his senior Three Lions debut in the upcoming friendlies.