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Rashford, Gray & Shaw: How England will line up at World Cup 2018?


GOALANALYSIS

England crashed out of the 2016 European Championship with a humiliating defeat against Iceland on Monday, losing 2-1 to the tournament minnows.

Roy Hodgson’s departure from the England helm followed immediately in his post-match press conference, in which he produced a prepared resignation letter. 

The future of the national team now appears destined to be sculpted by former England and Middlesbrough defender Gareth Southgate, after he was made clear favourite with several bookmakers to take charge.

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The ex-centre back will have an array of talent to select from if given the Three Lions reins, and could well take advantage of his knowledge and experience working alongside the junior teams by selecting a number of younger players.

With the 2018 World Cup on the horizon, Goal has prepared a possible England starting XI to lead the country to glory.

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Joe Hart had a tournament to forget in France, conceding two soft goals against Wales and Iceland. However, the Manchester City No. 1 has the mental strength to bounce back from the mistakes which contributed to England’s early exit. 

Across the back four, Manchester United duo Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw could be joined by Everton's John Stones and Kyle Walker of Tottenham. 

Everton's Ross Barkley and versatile Tottenham man Eric Dier are candidates to anchor the midfield, while ahead of them Manchester City's Raheem Sterling and 19-year-old Leicester City winger Demarai Gray could be in the mix to line up either side of Spurs' Dele Alli in the No. 10 role.

Further up the field, United's 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford has the potential to build on his cameos at Euro 2016 by leading the line in 2018.

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