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If the whispers are true about England’s starting XI, then Gareth Southgate has lost it

Published 12:04 13 Jun 2021 BST

Updated 11:44 14 Jun 2021 BST

Kieran Galpin
If the whispers are true about England’s starting XI, then Gareth Southgate has lost it

Homesport

Southgate's rumoured starting XI will send shockwaves throughout the nation

Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell are set to miss out on starting berths in England's Euro 2020 opener against Croatia later today. It is also rumoured that fan favourite Jack Grealish will begin the game on the bench. Kieran Trippier, Tyrone Mings, John Stones and Kyle Walker are expected to form the back four, with Trippier expected to fill in at left full-back. Trippier started the recent friendly against Austria in the left-back position before also playing the last twenty-four minutes against Romania in the same position. [caption id="attachment_276145" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Kieran Trippier played at left-back for part of the friendly match between England and Romania at Riverside Stadium on June 6, 2021 in Middlesbrough, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)[/caption] Both Luke Shaw and Chelsea's Ben Chilwell were unavailable for selection in this match due to their club commitments pitting them in the Europa League and Champions League finals. Trippier's initial selection at left-back was thought to have arisen from the absence of Shaw and Chilwell, however, England manager Gareth Southgate is set to turn heads by continuing with the Atletico Madrid man in this unorthodox position. Upfront, it is believed that Southgate intends to play Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling in behind Harry Kane. This selection will come as a controversial one, however, given the superior form of Aston Villa star Jack Grealish - while Sterling's recent form has attracted criticism. https://twitter.com/BrianGDK_/status/1404003627715473412 England v Croatia kicks off at 14:00 this Sunday at Wembley.
Euro 2020: Trippier set to start at left-back with Jack Grealish on bench