Alan Shearer names six players in ideal England Euro 2024 line-up with Harry Kane changing position

Alan Shearer has named six players that could feature in England’s best Euro 2024 line-up.

The Three Lions are entering the summer’s European Championships in Germany boasting some of the best attacking talent in world football.

At present, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden are among the most in-form players in Europe and barring injury, near-certainties to start for Gareth Southgate’s side in the summer.

But in the Athletic, former England international and Premier League record goalscorer Shearer has named his ideal front-six ahead of the tournament which also includes Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who is widely tipped to be Kane’s understudy in Germany.

While claiming that Bellingham, Foden, Saka, Kane and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice are guaranteed starters, Shearer added that Watkins should also be introduced to the fold.

Despite offering the caveat that Southgate is likely to favour defensive stability over an extra attacker, Shearer told the Athletic: “Play Ollie Watkins in the No 9 role.

“Kane can drop back into the No 10 space, which we all know is a natural part of his game and one where he has been so key in creating for England, Tottenham and Bayern Munich.

“Bellingham would take up a deeper midfield position alongside Rice. Foden and Saka still cut in from out wide.

“Yes, it would be a first, as the two have never shared a pitch for England — but this season, Watkins is looking like the most improved player in the Premier League.

Watkins had widely been tipped to be Kane's understudy in Germany (Getty)

“He has 16 league goals already, his best top-flight return, with 11 games left to play. This is already the season of his life.

“Some of the credit for that must go down to Unai Emery, who appears to have told Watkins to do the vast majority of his work between the width of the penalty area. It’s not genius but it certainly works.”

Shearer added: “I always say that the one thing defenders hate doing is running back towards their own goal.

“That is exactly what Watkins makes you do because he is constantly running in behind them, a nightmare for them to play against.

“There is a little bit of Jermain Defoe to how he plays: he’s very intelligent with his movement, he’s got good feet, he’s quick and is always looking to find space in the box.”

Topics: England, Euro 2024, Alan Shearer, Ollie Watkins, Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.