How England could line up if Pep Guardiola takes over as FOUR bold calls made

Pep Guardiola could become the next boss - and may have some bold ideas up his sleeve.

The Spaniard is currently in charge of and has a contract set to run until next summer.to take the reins of the Three Lions following ’s post-Euro 2024 exit.

There’s no doubt that Guardiola would bring some bold ideas to the side following his revolutionary tactical decisions at the Etihad Stadium. And that could potentially see plenty of overhaul when it comes to his team selection.

While there could be some way to go to convince Guardiola to replace interim boss Lee Carsley, Mirror Football has decided to take a look at the jaw-dropping XI he could name. Take a look at our suggestions below:

Goalkeeper - James Trafford

Guardiola has adopted a ruthless approach to goalkeepers during his time in the . Following his arrival, he immediately jettisoned long-serving Man City star Joe Hart.

Claudio Bravo was signed from for his ability on the ball but a series of errors also saw him drop out. Ederson has been an inspired arrival since then.

One candidate for England could potentially be James Trafford. The youngster has huge ability and is a product of City’s academy so will be well ingrained in the style that Guardiola would want to implement. He still has a huge amount of time to reach his potential despite a tricky few seasons with .

Would Pep Guardiola be a good appointment for England?

Left-back - Ben Chilwell

England are not exactly blessed at left-back currently so it is slightly difficult to judge which direction Guardiola would go. ’s fitness issues could be a problem for Guardiola, while Tyrick Mitchell and Leif Davies remain uncapped for the Three Lions.

A good option for could potentially be Ben Chilwell. While the defender has endured a tricky season under Enzo Maresca, he is still a very accomplished left-back.

City have been linked with a move for Chilwell on a number of occasions in the past, while Guardiola is a long-term admirer so he could certainly emerge as a surprise option.

Centre-back - Jarrad Branthwaite

Speaking of defenders that City have been linked with in the past, they have also been noted as admirers of ’s Branthwaite. Their fierce rivals have also been linked.

Regardless of what his future holds, he could potentially become a future option for the Three Lions. It might be a fierce battle between himself and Chelsea’s Levi Colwill but Branthwaite is certainly an option.

After all, the 22-year-old has already made his senior debut for the Three Lions. He was also on the longlist for England’s Euro 2024 squad but was cut when the final squad was decided.

Centre-back - John Stones

Surprisingly, the first City player to earn a place in the squad, has been a trusted custodian under Guardiola. The defender has won six Premier League titles, the and a whole host of other trophies.

He is also a key member of the England squad having already earned 83 caps for the Three Lions. There is just one debate over his spot based around his positioning.

Stones has regularly been given a hybrid midfield role by Guardiola so it remains to be seen whether he would do the same. But he seems a certainty to earn a spot in the England squad for the foreseeable future at the very least.

Right-back - Kyle Walker

From one City defender to another, has also been a crucial player for England and his club over the past few seasons. Like Stones, he has played a key role to Guardiola’s success at the Etihad.

He also has 91 Three Lions caps to his name and remains in the squad to this day. At the age of 34, his international career might not last for too much longer but it would be a surprise to see him not play under Guardiola.

The question remains as to who his long-term replacement is. Given his scoring appearance against Finland, is the obvious candidate but Walker should likely remain under Guardiola for the time being.

Midfield - Declan Rice

The defensive midfield role under Guardiola has been crucial - step forwards Rodri. Luckily, Guardiola would have plenty of options for that role if he becomes England's next manager.

has been a shining light for since his arrival from . The midfielder was also linked with City before his move across London.

Elsewhere, there is also Adam Wharton, and even Alexander-Arnold to claim the double-pivot responsibility. But Rice is the most accomplished in the position currently so seems an obvious choice to be a key player in Guardiola’s new-look England.

Midfield - Jude Bellingham

The current Man City boss also deploys number eights in a more advanced role and he also has an ideal candidate for that role, too. is the most exciting player England has produced in years and it would be a huge error to leave him out.

He would sit slightly further forwards than Rice in the Three Lions set up under Guardiola. And he would be tasked with playing a similar role to that of former City captain Ilkay Gundogan.

Bellingham has also enjoyed an excellent year with the Three Lions with four goals in 11 appearances across 2024 and seems highly likely to remain should Guardiola take over.

Attacking midfield - Phil Foden

The reigning Premier League Player of the Season, Foden scored 27 goals for Man City under Guardiola last term. If anyone can get him to replicate those kinds of performances for England, Guardiola can.

Foden has so far not been as prolific for the Three Lions since making his debut in 2020. He has scored just four goals for England so far. Should the forward struggle to find his form for England, he will face some serious competition for his position.

Former City star Cole Palmer is waiting in the wings. But Foden should potentially win the battle between the two - initially at least.

Winger - Eberechi Eze

From a current City star to a potentially future one, . City have been backed to sign him for £68m should Kevin De Bruyne move on in the near future.

Eze has shone for Palace over the past couple of seasons - leading to his England breakthrough earlier this year. The wideman has yet to open his goalscoring account for the Three Lions so will certainly be hoping to do that under the Three Lions’ new boss.

Of course, he could be set to face some serious competition for a starting spot for his national team but he will do himself no harm if he keeps up his hot form this season.

Winger - Bukayo Saka

While England have plenty of wide options, it seems sure that Arsenal’s will be an undoubted starter for the Three Lions for years to come. The Gunners academy graduate has simply emerged as one of the Premier League’s best over the past few seasons.

The 23-year-old enjoyed his best season in front of goal last term, netting on 20 occasions. Despite his tender years, Saka already has 43 England caps to his name so seems sure to at least double that.

Guardiola has previously been full of praise for him so it would be a surprise to NOT see Saka included in any England set-up under the Spaniard.

Striker - Harry Kane

Potentially the most obvious pick in the entire team, Kane is one of the first names on the England teamsheet - a fact that should remain under any new boss. The frontman remains the Three Lions captain and the nation’s all-time top goalscorer.

Kane is also a player that Guardiola has attempted to sign before. The striker was strongly linked with a move to Man City before he opted for a switch to Germany, which left Guardiola to sign Haaland.

That move certainly worked out for both parties but it is hard to see Guardiola not relishing the chance to finally manage Kane at some point in his career.

England starting XI under Guardiola: Trafford; Chilwell, Stones, Branthwaite, Walker; Rice, Bellingham; Eze, Foden, Saka, Kane.

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