Kosovo vs England: The Starting XI Gareth Southgate Should Pick for Final Euro 2020 Qualifier

​England head in to their final Euro 2020 group stage match against Kosovo having already secured qualification, following the 7-0 massacre of Montenegro on Thursday evening. 

Sunday’s encounter could be a fantastic opportunity for Gareth Southgate to rotate his starting eleven and offer some vital experience to those on the fringes of the Three Lions’ setup.

With that in mind, here is the starting XI England should field this Sunday against Kosovo:


Goalkeepers & Defenders

Tyrone Mings

Nick Pope (GK) – The ​Burnley shot-stopper is in line to start his first England match, with Jordan Pickford set to be rested between the sticks. Southgate is ready to hand Pope his full debut with the England manager keen for the keeper to gain crucial international experience before Euro 2020. The 27-year-old has been impressive for Burnley this season, having kept four clean sheets for the Clarets.

Kieran Trippier (RB) – The full-back should offer some much-needed defensive stability to England’s back line following his omission from Thursday’s starting eleven. Southgate will be fully aware of the attacking capabilities of Kosovo, who managed to put three past England in the 5-3 reverse fixture back in September, and Trippier offers greater cover at the back than Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Harry Maguire (CB) – The world’s most expensive defender was in line to earn a well-deserved rest for England on Sunday, however Joe Gomez’s absence and John Stones’ late fitness test leaves Southgate a little short at centre-back. Maguire has featured in every one of England’s qualification matches so far, and should be utilised once more.

Tyrone Mings (CB) – The centre-back is in line to start only his second game in an England shirt, and has shown his Premier League credentials this campaign with a host of fantastic performances for ​Aston Villa. The defender could see this as an opportunity to stake his claim for a place alongside Harry Maguire in a permanent England defence. 

Ben Chilwell (LB) – While the full-back could be subject to rotation, the Leicester defender has been one of the Premier League’s brightest this campaign and has begun to transfer his form to England duty. The 22-year-old bagged a hat-trick of assists in England’s 7-0 thrashing of Montenegro and has become a key part of Southgate’s defence.


Midifelders

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Harry Winks (DM) – The ​Tottenham midfielder looked a steady pair of hands against Montenegro on Thursday, with his distribution and coolness in possession once again proving effective in an England shirt. Winks will be looking to nail his place in England’s starting eleven amid Declan Rice’s questionable form and ​Jordan Henderson‘s fitness concerns.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (CM) – It was the ​Ox‘s first start for England against Montenegro since his return from injury, and the ​Liverpool midfielder impressed with another lovely goal. The 26-year-old has been in fine form of late and offered England a dynamic threat through the centre of the park on Thursday. 

Mason Mount (CM) – With limited chances remaining for minutes before Euro 2020 dawns on us all, Mount needs all the time he can get. The ​Chelsea man has been incredible for the Blues this season and is possibly the future of England’s midfield. Mount needs to gain as much experience as possible as he could be a crucial part of the Three Lions’ potential success this summer.


Forwards

Joe Gomez,Raheem Sterling

Callum Hudson-Odoi (RW) – While the Chelsea winger remains in the shadow of Jadon Sancho, the 19-year-old has plenty of potential at international level. It’s essential for Hudson-Odoi that he impresses at every opportunity as he is fighting for his place at club and international level.

Raheem Sterling (LW) – Sterling has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week. His training ground bust-up with Joe Gomez has caught the eye of the media, but it’s now time for the Man City winger to do his talking on the pitch. After being dropped on Thursday, Sterling is set to start and could add to the eight goals he has already got in only six qualification matches.

Tammy Abraham (ST) – Abraham grabbed his first senior England goal against Montenegro, but is yet to start for Southgate. With little more than pride riding on this encounter, it would be a great chance for Chelsea’s number nine to secure more first-team football at international level. However, fighting for a starting place with ​Harry Kane, is not an easy task.

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