England host Brazil in a glamour friendly at Wembley on Saturday evening, as the Three Lions welcome the five-time world champions to London.
Both teams are ranked inside FIFA’s top five nations, with Gareth Southgate and England preparing for this summer’s European Championship. Brazil, meanwhile are looking to improve under new head coach Dorival Júnior after a poor run of form, in the build-up to the 2024 Copa America.
Ahead of the fixture at Wembley, we’ve put together our England and Brazil Combined XI from the current squads.
England vs Brazil – Combined XI:
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford – England
Brazil are blessed with two of the best goalkeepers in world football in Alisson and Ederson, though are without the services of the shot-stoppers this month. The squad contains three uncapped goalkeepers for March’s fixtures with England and Spain, with a Selecao debutant set to start against the Three Lions.
Jordan Pickford claims the role of number one in our Combined XI. The Everton goalkeeper divides opinion but has rarely let England down in his 58 appearances.
Right-back: Kyle Walker – England
Kyle Walker has continually fought off competition for the right-back role with England, remaining undisputed first-choice despite the depth of options available to Gareth Southgate.
His recovery pace is an invaluable asset to club and country, with Walker able to frustrate even the quickest wingers into submission. His duel with Vinicius Junior should be box-office viewing after recent Champions League contests between the two.
Centre-back: Bremer – Brazil
Gleison Bremer will be tasked with leading Brazil’s backline in the absence of Marquinhos, following an outstanding campaign in an improved Juventus team.
Named in the Serie A Team of the Season in consecutive campaigns, the 27-year-old is a formidable physical presence and ranks among the leading players in Italy for clearances (5th), tackles (10th) and aerials won (5th). Called up as a replacement for the injured Gabriel Magalhães, his initial omission was a surprise given his displays this season.
1️⃣7️⃣ #SerieA goals for Bremer ????????#LecceJuve pic.twitter.com/RKDFNKhfw6
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) January 24, 2024
Manchester United have been named as summer suitors for the centre-back.
Centre-back: John Stones – England
A pillar on which England’s challenge for the European Championship will be built, John Stones has evolved into one of the most complete and unique defensive talents in football at Manchester City.
The 29-year-old’s marauding role for his club side saw Stones shine in the Champions League final win over Inter Milan, exceeding expectations for comfort in possession at centre-back to thrive further forward, influencing the game in advanced areas of the pitch.
Gareth Southgate is unlikely to hand Stones such freedom with the national team, but the build-up will centre around the City centre-back.
From classy CB to midfield maestro ????
John Stones’ #UCLfinal masterclass… pic.twitter.com/tCZ9MvPggO
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 18, 2023
Left-back: Ben Chilwell – England
Ben Chilwell will want to use March’s international break as an audition for a prominent summer role. Chilwell didn’t play a minute during the run to the Euro 2020 final, before missing the World Cup in Qatar with a hamstring injury.
Luke Shaw’s race against time to reach the Euros has put Chilwell in contention to feature this summer and the Chelsea left-back – who has struggled with fitness problems in recent campaigns – will want to seize his chance.
Midfield: Declan Rice – England
Declan Rice’s domineering midfield performances have propelled Arsenal’s push for the Premier League title. The north Londoners broke their transfer record to sign Rice from West Ham last summer, though his performances since have seen his price tag rarely mentioned.
An elite ball-winner whose game is evolving closer to completeness, he ranks among the Premier League’s leading players for passes into the final third (2nd) and progressive passes (3rd) this season. Six goals and five assists show the improvement in his forward threat.
Jude Bellingham ???? Declan Rice
Two of the most in-form midfielders in Europe this season. pic.twitter.com/5SoftIsj6e
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 20, 2024
Given the lack of alternatives in defensive midfield, he is arguably England’s most irreplaceable talent.
Midfield: Bruno Guimaraes – Brazil
Brazil’s midfield will have a familiar feel for Premier League fans this weekend, with five English-based options for the Selecao. Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz and West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta have had standout campaigns, but Bruno Guimaraes is perhaps the pick of the bunch.
A huge fan favourite at Newcastle United, he was a driving force in the club’s top-four finish last season.
Midfield: Jude Bellingham – England
Jude Bellingham’s brilliant season at Real Madrid has increased expectations around England this summer. The midfielder has been a shining light in Spanish football since swapping Dortmund for the Bernabeu, leading La Liga for goals scored (16).
All-action, effective and fearless, he is expected to start in support of Harry Kane for the Three Lions at Euro 2024. Each have been among the finest performers in Europe’s top leagues this season, offering hope for success this summer.
Right-wing: Phil Foden – England
Phil Foden’s form has cemented his argument as a starter for England, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola calling the midfielder the ‘best player in the Premier League right now’.
The 23-year-old has 18 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for the Premier League champions, offering effective end product from several positions across the forward line. He looks likely to take the left-wing position for England in the summer, joining Kane, Bellingham and Bukayo Saka in a front four with the talent to torment teams.
Left-wing: Vinicius Junior – Brazil
Vinicius Junior might be the best wide player in world football right now. Almost impossible to stop at his best, he is on course to reach 20+ goals for the third consecutive campaign at Real Madrid.
His return this season includes an El Clásico hat-trick against Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final, scoring a devastating first-half hat-trick against his side’s arch-rivals.
The 23-year-old will be aiming to improve on a modest record of three goals in 23 caps for the Selecao this month, as the nation’s leading threat in the absence of Neymar.
Vinicius Junior’s last eight LaLiga games ????
Six goals ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
Four assists ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/8QPTtRVleH— LiveScore (@livescore) March 16, 2024
Forward: Harry Kane – England
Harry Kane is in the midst of one of the most prolific Bundesliga seasons ever, with plenty of football still to go. The England captain has been sensational since signing for Bayern Munich, scoring 31 goals in 26 league appearances for the German champions.
Kane left Tottenham last summer in search of silverware and will be central to Bayern’s challenge for the Champions League, before turning his attention to honours with England. Already the record goalscorer for the Three Lions at major tournaments, his contribution could be decisive in hopes of a first trophy since 1966.
Harry Kane breaks the ???????????????????????? for most goals scored in a ???????????????????? season in the Bundesliga ????️ pic.twitter.com/5ZtefpzrmQ
— 433 (@433) March 16, 2024
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