England team news: Marc Guehi to start alongside Harry Maguire
England team news: Marc Guehi is set to start with Harry Maguire in defence and Trent Alexander-Arnold is lined up for role in midfield as Gareth Southgate shakes up his Three Lions side in Malta
- Marc Guehi is gearing up to partner Harry Maguire in England’s defence tonight
- England play Malta as they continue their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign
- Trent Alexander-Arnold will also start and could play in a midfield role
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is set to partner Harry Maguire in the heart of England’s defence in Malta tonight.
Guehi is in line to earn only his second international start in this evening’s European Championship qualifier in Valletta.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is also in line to start, with manager Gareth Southgate last night hinting at a midfield role for the Liverpool star.
‘You know that I think he is more than capable of playing there and it can be really exciting,’ said Southgate.
Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi is set to make only his second international start this evening
Guehi (pictured) will line up in the centre of England’s defence alongside Harry Maguire for their Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta
Gareth Southgate has also hinted that Trent Alexander-Arnold could be in line to play in midfield for the match
‘If we were to do that, we would not be expecting perfection because there is a lot to learn, particularly without the ball. It is different areas of the pitch.
‘With the ball, that is a more straightforward transition for him now. He has been playing there a little bit more for his club so it is something for us to consider, definitely.’
Harry Kane will lead the attack, with Bukayo Saka and James Maddison hopeful of getting the nod.
Guehi, who joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021 for £18million, has been attracting interest from clubs around the league after a standout season for the London side, starting in all but one of his team’s league matches during the 2022-23 campaign.
Tottenham could make a move to sign the 22-year-old centre back, but considering his excellent form this season, he will not come cheap, with Mail Sport reporting last week that Ange Postecoglou’s side could bid around £60m for the defender.
Manchester United and Arsenal are also interested in securing his signature, while he could also link up with England team-mate Alexander-Arnold, with Jurgen Klopp’s side also joining the long queue to acquire him.
It’s been an impressive season for the Liverpool wingback too, who has excelled this season for the Reds playing a more advanced position in front of their back three, helping the Reds mount a late charge to secure fifth in the Premier League.
Tonight’s match will be a great opportunity for him to see how Alexander-Arnold performs in that hybrid role, with the 24-year-old has returned four goals and 10 assists for Liverpool.
England XI vs Malta
England (433): Pickford; Trippier, Guehi, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Henderson, Alexander-Arnold; Saka, Kane, Maddison.
More to follow…
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