The FIFA World Cup is in full flow, and plenty of Manchester City players are involved. Follow all the latest news here on Read Man City.
Alan Shearer selects his England starting lineup
Ex-England international has chosen the team he would like to see start against Croatia, and two Man City stars have made the cut.
Nico O’Reilly has been selected as England’s left-back, starting ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence.
Additionally, the former Blackburn and Newcastle man reckons Marc Guehi deserves his spot in the first 11.
Alan Shearer picks his England XI for their tournament opener against Croatia on Wednesday 📋
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 15, 2026
Do you agree? pic.twitter.com/pLjsgGag8e
John Stones has not been named in Shearer’s starting lineup, even though he is expected to play in the actual match.
It does make sense that Shearer prefers Guehi though, as he has been playing on a weekly basis for Man City, while Stones occupied the bench.
James Trafford falls short to Jordan Pickford too, but this is not at all surprising. After all, the Everton shot-stopper has been England’s first choice goalkeeper for some time.
Phil Foden backs England to win the World Cup
England reached the quarter-finals of the previous World Cup, and have been losing finalists at the past two European Championships.
Foden believes they will go far again. In fact, he reckons Thomas Tuchel’s team might even win the competition.
🥇 “Harry Kane wins golden boot, 100%!”
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 15, 2026
🏴 "They can win it!"
Phil Foden believes that England can win the World Cup!#fifaworldcup pic.twitter.com/kWmtNK8RjW
“Looking forward to it mate,” Foden told talkSPORT regarding the World Cup. “Obviously going to watch England hopefully do well, rooting for them. Yeah, I can believe they can win it.”
When asked who would win the golden boot, he replied: “Harry Kane, 100 per cent.”
James Trafford shares how his limited role at Man City affected his England chances
Speaking to The Standard, Trafford explained that playing for England’s most successful club in recent years does not guarantee him starts for the Three Lions.
Additionally, the fact Donnarumma took the number one spot at City has hindered his chances of moving above Jordan Pickford in the pecking order.
“When I did move, if I had become England’s number one for the tournament, it would have been brilliant,” he said. “I’d have been very happy, but obviously I didn’t.
They obviously ended up signing Gigi, and I didn’t play the majority of the games, and that’s football.”
