Jose Mourinho has stated that Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling will not be playing for England against Croatia at Euro 2020.
The Czech Republic, Scotland, and 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia are all in Group D for Gareth Southgate’s team at the Euros.
England will open their campaign against Croatia at Wembley on Sunday, three years after the Three Lions were knocked out of the World Cup semi-finals in Russia.
Dean Henderson was chosen ahead of Jordan Pickford as England’s No. 1 by the 58-year-old Portuguese manager.
Mourinho discussed his starting XI selections for England’s Euro 2020 match versus Croatia on talkSPORT as part of his Euro 2020 broadcast.
Mourinho added that he would partner John Stones alongside Tyrone Mings in the absence of Harry Maguire.
Meanwhile, the Special One would complete the England four-man backline with Ben Chilwell at left-back and Kyle Walker at right-back.
“I think Gareth Southgate has great potential in his hands,” Mourinho told talkSPORT.
❌ @JPickford1
❌ @MarcusRashford
❌ @Sterling7
✅ @DeanHenderson
✅ @BellinghamJudeJosé Mourinho picks his England starting XI for the first game of #EURO2020 .
Some big calls in this selection 👀
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/5bKcnDhfaV
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 11, 2021
“I would go with Dean Henderson in goal. Without Harry Maguire, I would go John Stones and Tyrone Mings as the centre-backs.
“Conor Coady is clearly a three defenders defender. The kid from Brighton [Ben White] is a good player but he has just arrived, so it doesn’t make any sense to go directly in.
“Mings has good leadership qualities, he’s aggressive, good personality. Stones is very fast to deal with space.
“Right-backs you can throw a coin, but I would say Kyle Walker because you need pace, and a little bit of experience, an older guy, he closes the space inside maybe better than Reece James and Kieran Tripper.
“Left-back I would go with Ben Chilwell, I wouldn’t think twice. He is intelligent, he covers the space, the diagonals inside very well, he is dangerous in attack, he is good in the air, good on set-pieces.”
 |
| Credit: PA |
 |
| Credit: PA |
Despite Luke Shaw’s outstanding season in the Premier League, Mourinho passed on him for the left-back position.
Chilwell, on the other hand, has “something extra, especially with the ball,” according to the former United boss.
“He had a terrific season and certainly a growth in terms of passion, professionalism,” Mourinho remarked of Shaw.
“However, Chilwell has something extra, particularly with the ball, in the way he thinks and his calmness under pressure.” Chilwell is a favourite of mine.”
In midfield, Mourinho would pair Declan Rice with Kalvin Phillips, with Jack Grealish on the left wing ahead of Rashford.
Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho chose Phil Foden ahead of Sterling on the right flank, with Mason Mount playing at No 10 for England.
Mourinho’s starting XI included England captain Harry Kane, whom the Special One described as “untouchable.”
 |
| Credit: PA |
Mourinho said: “To play with Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham would be perfect but maybe this first game play Kalvin Phillips with Rice.
“Harry Kane is untouchable, Jack Grealish is untouchable and the best position for Grealish is coming from the left. For me, Marcus Rashford can only play there. When he plays on the right, he is completely lost. He is very good on the left attacking spaces.
“But Grealish, for me, is tremendous and what he creates and his personality. He reminds me of Luis Figo. I like him very much.
“Grealish on the left, Mason Mount as the number ten and because I like the wingers to come inside, I would play Phil Foden on the right.
“I would play Foden, Mount and Grealish, that is why I’m saying Phillips and Rice.”
Featured Image Credit: PA