Michael Owen has delivered his ideal England starting XI, with Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon seen as the best options out wide. The Three Lions legend would not have room for Bukayo Saka in Gareth Southgate’s strongest lineup for Euro 2024, though does see another Arsenal star holding a major role, in central midfielder Declan Rice.
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka should miss out on England’s starting XI in favour of the in-form Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon as the wide options, according to Michael Owen.
Palmer has taken the Premier League by storm in recent months, almost single-handedly dragging Chelsea through a horrendous start to the campaign to eventually finish in 6th spot.
Indeed, the former Manchester City youngster finished runner-up in both the goal (22) and assist (11) rankings in the league. Across all competitions, he racked up 42 goal contributions in 48 games.
He swept a whole host of honours over the last few weeks, too, including Chelsea Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Month for April, Premier League Young Player of the Year, and PFA Fans Player of the Year.
Meanwhile, Gordon has shone for Newcastle United in their surge up the table after a difficult start to the campaign, while also bouncing back from his own poor form last term.
The man who rose through the Everton ranks contributed 11 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season, including against every member of the ‘big six’. He also played in all six Champions League group stage games.
If both Palmer and Gordon start, it leaves no space for Saka, who has driven Arsenal’s attacking output en route to their best title challenge in two decades.
The Londoner contibuted 16 goals and nine assists in the Premier League this term, while certainly being the most experienced of the trio, having appeared at the last two major tournaments for the Three Lions.
On his ideal starting XI, England legend Owen exclusively told TNT Sports: “[Jordan] Pickford in goal. Kyle Walker at right-back, Luke Shaw, if he’s fit, at left-back. John Stones, Harry Maguire.
“Declan Rice as a No.6, [Phil] Foden and [Jude] Bellingham in front of him. I’ve got to find a place for Cole Palmer, as my right sider. I’ll put Anthony Gordon as my left sider. Harry Kane up front.
“You could switch throughout the tournament so you can bring Saka in on the right – put Cole Palmer out on the left if you have to, or Foden on to the left and Cole Palmer back inside.
“I just have to find a place for Cole Palmer. And I really want pace on the left-hand side. That’s my wishlist. I’d only envisage Saka coming in a bit, but I love the thought of pace out there.
“That team absolutely can [win the Euros]. My top three would be France, England, Germany.”
One Arsenal man Owen is placing a lot of faith in is Rice, who has transformed the Gunners’ midfield since his £105m switch from West Ham United last summer.
The qualities of the Europa Conference League winner are undeniable on both sides of possession, with his leadership ability also seeing him captain the national side in the most recent set of fixtures.
Owen insists Rice doesn’t need a partner in midfield – with his former colleagues now being excluded from the squad after severe downturns in form, in Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips.
Instead, the former Liverpool and Manchester United centre-forward would unleash a more forward-thinking duo of Foden and Bellingham – both on the high of playing the leading role in a league title victory – ahead of Rice.
Owen continued: “My big question about the Euros and about Gareth Southgate and the team we pick… I’m nervous that we’re going to play a different shape in midfield, one that Gareth Southgate likes with two No.6s.
“It’s going to be Declan Rice, of course, and then who’s going to play alongside him? Now I wouldn’t play anyone.
“Arsenal don’t play with with two a lot of the time, Manchester City have Rodri and that’s it, Liverpool have [Wataru] Endo and that’s it. All these teams just have one No.6.
“If we’re going to play two No.6s and that’s going to mean that one of our talented attacking midfielders are not going to play, that is a huge waste in my book.
“I’d just play with the one and I’d have two in front. I’d have Bellingham and Foden in front of of Rice personally.
“Against some of the lesser teams, maybe in the group stage, putting Trent [Alexander-Arnold] in there could give you something different. There’s nobody on this planet that can pick a pass like he can, so I I get it.”