Jamie Carragher has named his preferred England inclusions for tonight’s Euro 2020 clash against Czech Republic – and has explained why he has not included Harry Kane.
Writing in his column for The Telegraph, the former England defender has said he would rest Kane ahead of the last 16.
The Three Lions go into the match against Czech Republic knowing that their place in the knockout stages has already been confirmed.
However, their final position in Group D has yet to be decided. If England win, they will top the group, whilst a draw would ensure they finish second.
A defeat could put England in third place if either Scotland or Croatia win in their match and there is enough of a goal swing in their favour.
Gareth Southgate‘s side were unable to break the deadlock in their 0-0 draw with Scotland at Wembley on Friday, and Carragher is amongst those calling for changes.
Chelsea pair Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount will both miss the game. They are in self-isolation following close contact with Scottish midfielder Billy Gilmour, who tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.
Carragher’s England XI
Carragher’s team has two changes in the back four, with one of those at right-back. He has chosen Kyle Walker over Reece James.
The former Liverpool defender has also named Harry Maguire in his starting XI in place of Tyrone Mings. If he does feature, it will be the first time that the Manchester United centre-back has played since injuring his ankle against Aston Villa on May 9.
He has also selected Jordan Henderson to replace Kalvin Phillips. The 31-year-old was another injury doubt coming into the tournament, but did play 45 minutes against Romania in the final Euro 2020 warm-up match.
Carragher said: “If Jordan Henderson is not involved on Tuesday, the question will have to be asked whether it made sense to include him in the squad.
“Give the Liverpool captain an hour alongside Declan Rice and gauge where his level is.
“That does not mean Kalvin Phillips won’t come back in for the knockout stage, but will at least allow Southgate to be clearer about his options for the rest of the competition.”
In the forward area, Carragher has picked Jack Grealish to fill the left-sided role that Phil Foden has occupied in the opening two group matches. He has moved Foden into the central advanced midfield area in place of Mason Mount, who he says he would have chosen had he been available.
But the most notable absence in Carragher’s XI is that of Harry Kane. He has chosen Dominic Calvert-Lewin in his place, and says he would give Kane a rest ahead of the last 16.
Carragher explained: “Gareth Southgate has confirmed Harry Kane will start, but as I wrote after the goalless draw with Scotland I would have given him a rest to prepare for the last 16.
“If Kane scores, many will say he has ‘proved people wrong’. Football has evolved beyond the point where a striker’s performance is judged solely on whether he scored. It’s the general play for 90 minutes which must be of the highest standard. That is what the top coaches judge.
“The days when converting a penalty or scoring a tap-in is considered ‘job done’ are long over. Kane doing so against the Czech Republic will be no measure of form for the rest of the tournament unless the overall level improves.”
Carragher’s XI in full: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Henderson; Sterling, Foden, Grealish; Calvert-Lewin
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