England legend Alan Shearer has revealed the side he believes should take the field for the Three Lions’ opening World Cup fixture against Croatia, with two Manchester City players earning places in his preferred starting line-up.
The build-up to England’s first match of the tournament has been anything but calm.
Long before a ball has been kicked in anger, discussion surrounding the national team has dominated headlines, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and scrutiny ahead of Wednesday’s encounter.
Manager Thomas Tuchel’s squad selection sparked widespread debate among supporters and pundits alike.
Every major tournament brings difficult decisions, but several of Tuchel’s calls generated significant conversation across the football community.
Since then, the attention surrounding England has only intensified, with reports emerging that equipment had been stolen from the team’s training base in Kansas City.
Despite the distractions, England’s focus now turns firmly to matters on the pitch. The opening match of a World Cup often sets the tone for an entire campaign, and the Three Lions will be eager to begin their journey with a positive result against a Croatian side known for its resilience and tournament pedigree.
As anticipation builds ahead of kick-off, former England captain and Premier League great Alan Shearer has outlined the XI he would like to see represent the nation.
Among his selections are two Manchester City players whom he believes deserve to be handed starting roles.
Shearer’s preferred England XI includes City talent
One of the most notable choices in Shearer’s proposed team is the inclusion of Nico O’Reilly at left-back.
The Manchester City youngster gets the nod ahead of Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence in Shearer’s selection, highlighting the confidence the former striker has in the defender’s abilities.
O’Reilly’s emergence has been one of the encouraging stories for English football in recent months.
His versatility, energy and technical quality have attracted attention, and Shearer clearly believes those attributes could prove valuable on the international stage.
Selecting him for such an important fixture would represent a major vote of confidence.
Another player receiving Shearer’s backing is Marc Guehi. The centre-back has been named in the former striker’s preferred starting side and is viewed as deserving of a place in England’s defence.
Interestingly, John Stones does not feature in Shearer’s line-up despite expectations that he could start in the actual match.
Stones remains one of England’s most experienced defenders and has played a key role for both club and country over the years.
However, Shearer appears to favour current form and regular playing time when making his choices.
The reasoning behind Guehi’s selection is understandable. The defender has enjoyed consistent football and has maintained match sharpness throughout the season.
By contrast, Stones has experienced periods on the sidelines and spent stretches of time among the substitutes.
In tournament football, rhythm and regular minutes can often be decisive factors when choosing a starting eleven.
Elsewhere in the team, goalkeeper James Trafford misses out in favour of Jordan Pickford. This selection is unlikely to raise many eyebrows given Pickford’s long-standing status as England’s first-choice goalkeeper.
City stars seek winning start after mixed International results
Manchester City players have already begun making their mark at the World Cup, although victories have proved difficult to come by during the opening round of fixtures.
Midfield maestro Rodri captained Spain in their clash against Cape Verde. The Spaniards dominated large periods of the contest but were unable to find a breakthrough, with the match ending in a goalless draw.
While Spain secured a point, the result left them frustrated after failing to convert possession and chances into goals.
Later on the same day, another Manchester City representative was in action.
Jeremy Doku featured for Belgium as they faced Egypt in a contest that also carried significant interest for City supporters due to the involvement of Omar Marmoush on the Egyptian side.
