EXCLUSIVE
Jeff Stelling’s ‘controversial’ Euro 2024 England XI has Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka OUT with Antony Gordon IN
Jeff Stelling has made some bold choices when naming his preferred England starting line-up for their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on Sunday.
Gareth Southgate faces a selection headache ahead of the big-kick off for the European Championship in Germany, with the Three Lions boasting an array of exciting options in advanced positions.
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Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka have starred for their club sides this season, with the former picking up the Premier League Player of the Year award, and the latter hitting 20 goals in all competitions.
Despite this, talkSPORT Breakfast host Stelling has admitted he would not select either player to start England's opening Group C match against Serbia, as he picked his starting XI which contained a few surprises.
Naming his ideal side for the clash on talkSPORT, Stelling's first shock move was in defence, as there was no place for Manchester City Premier League-winner John Stones.
He said: "[Jordan] Pickford in goal obviously.
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Detailing his back four: "[Kyle] Walker, [Marc] Guehi, [Lewis] Dunk and [Kieran] Trippier for me."
The host then explained his reasons for dropping Stones in favour of a centre-back pairing of Guehi and Dunk: "First of all, Serbia are the biggest team in the tournament, the tallest team in the tournament.”
“They are going to be physical, they are going to be aggressive.
“John Stones has picked up a knock, he’s not physical, he’s not aggressive. He’s wonderful on the ball.
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“I worry about us aerially for set plays, so I’ve put Lewis Dunk in there, because he's 6ft 4in, he dominates in the air."
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Elsewhere, Stelling opted for an innovative holding midfield duo of Declan Rice and Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Southgate having attempted to reinvent the Liverpool full-back as a central midfielder for his national side.
He continued: "I'm going to put Rice in midfield alongside Alexander-Arnold.
"Because I think he’s not the greatest defender in the world, but he offers you a bit more pace, a bit more height and also, he’s got that brilliant ability to find a killer pass.”
Stelling then awarded the attacking midfield slot to Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham, despite Foden also shining in this role at club level, saying: "Bellingham ahead of him [Alexander-Arnold]."
Meanwhile, Arsenal's Saka received a similar snub, as the presenter gave the right-wing berth to Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer, referencing his performance in England's last match against Iceland.
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He said: "And then my front three is going to be a bit controversial. “I’m going to pick [Cole] Palmer just ahead of Bukayo Saka.
"Saka’s had a bit of a knock, not quite back up to 100 per cent, I think Palmer showed enough against Iceland.”
With Foden having also featured out wide for his country, Southgate may well consider this a possibility, but Stelling revealed his preference for Newcastle's Anthony Gordon.
Outlining his front three, he explained: “Palmer, [Harry] Kane and Anthony Gordon, who I thought was our biggest threat for most part of the night.
“He has been in brilliant form, and everyone’s going to batter me because there is no Phil Foden there."
“But Foden, four goals in 34 games for England. I think Gareth Southgate and his staff are scratching their heads as to how to get the best out of Phil Foden for England.”
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Stelling's co-host Andy Townsend was left stunned by the bold starting XI, simply commenting: "That, I'm sure Jeff, will ruffle feathers."
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Euro 2024 starts on Friday and talkSPORT will bring you live commentary all 51 matches. Follow all the latest Euros news, views and reaction in our rolling live daily blog.
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