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Jamie Carragher Picks His England Starting XI For First World Cup Game

Jamie Carragher Picks His England Starting XI For First World Cup Game

Some interesting selections from Carra.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

There's still a fair bit of time to go before Gareth Southgate names his starting XI for England's opening World Cup game against Tunisia in Group G at the Volgograd Arena - with warm-up games against Netherlands and Italy helping him with his decisions.

But the England boss will likely have a first eleven in mind at the moment. So too does former Three Lions' defender Jamie Carragher, who has already picked the team he would like to see start in Russia on the 18th June.

Our prediction of England's Euro 2020 team from a few years back:

Starting with the goalkeeper, the Liverpool legend reckons that Everton No.1 Jordan Pickford is the best bet for the starting berth at the moment, given Joe Hart's poor form and lack of game-time on loan at West Ham.

Image: PA
Image: PA

"Joe Hart's out of the team, I'm going for Pickford. I think he's had a great season. I think he's fantastic with the ball at his feet," Carragher said to Gary Neville on Sky Sports' The Debate show

"[Hart] is not playing. Listen, if Joe Hart gets back in the side... I think Joe Hart has a lot to do in terms of playing... Maybe even making the squad if he doesn't play at all in West Ham."

Southgate has been utilising a back-three for a decent amount of time now and Carra believes it's the way to go in Russia, with John Stones, Gary Cahill and Harry Maguire deployed as the three centre-backs, and Kyle Walker and Danny Rose playing as wing-backs.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Moving into midfield, Jordan Henderson is at the base of the trio, with Jack Wilshere, set for a recall after proving his fitness and impressing with a string of displays, playing alongside Dele Alli a little further up the pitch.

Then up top, it's England's top two performers this season, as 30-goal Harry Kane and 19-goal Raheem Sterling partner one another in attack.

What would be your starting XI for England's first World Cup game in Russia?

Sound off in the comments.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Joe Hart, Football News, Football, England, Gareth Southgate, World Cup, Jamie Carragher, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling