Jadon Sancho And Another Future Ballon d'Or Winner Feature In Our Combined Croatia England XI

The pick of the international fixtures this week comes from the much-awaited match-up in the UEFA Nations League between Croatia and England.

The game, due to be played behind closed doors for the first time in the history of the England national team because of UEFA sanctions on the Croatia team, kicks off this Friday at 19:45 (GMT).

Are the Three Lions going to grab their chance to avenge their World Cup exit?

Croatia have followed up their silver-place World Cup finish - the best in the nation’s history - by failing to win their next two matches, including a 6-0 capitulation to Spain in their last fixture.

Could Gareth, Gareth, Gareth Southgate's England bag a win over Zlatko Dalic and Croatia, or even emulate their exquisite victories at the end of the last decade?

GK - Jordan Pickford (ENG - Everton)

All credit to Daniel Subasjic here, announcing his retirement after the World Cup after a decade of service and now he deserves a move away from struggling AS Monaco. Either way however, though it might have been a slightly harder choice, Pickford’s saves in Russia are still resonating in the memory beautifully. The Everton shot-stopper is the definite pick for the Number 1 shirt here.

LB - Luke Shaw (ENG - Manchester United)

Totally revitalised at Manchester United this season, Shaw is now one of the first names on Jose Mourinho’s team sheet, has got his first ever career goal and has been rewarded with a call-up by Southgate to England.

Let’s see if he impresses this Friday night.

CB - Harry Maguire (ENG - Leicester City)

Got to have old Slabhead in here, the Sheffield lad became a household name due to his heroics in Russia. Dependable, tough, and hard-working, and a major steal for Leicester.

CB - Domagoj Vida (CRO - Beskitas)

Going with Die Hard villain Vida here, even though we were close to awarding John Stones a starting role. The 29-year-old Beskitas centre-back has made almost 70 appearances for the Croatian national team.

RB - Kyle Walker (ENG - Manchester City)

We’re going for a pretty Yorkshire back-line here. 

Little bit of a concession, as the 28-year-old slotted more into a back-three rather than his natural position. However, for Manchester City, Walker has asserted himself as the premier right-back in the English league, possibly even in Europe. How Dani Alves got the FIFA nod before him this year defies belief.

M - Luka Modrić (CRO - Real Madrid)

Without a doubt, the best player in the world at the moment and should receive the ultimate accolade as he continues receiving the avalanche of belated praise by collecting the Ballon d’Or in December.

M - Ivan Rakitic (CRO - Barcelona)

Though he’s now on the wrong side of 30, the Barcelona man still has oodles of quality, as exemplified by his superb strike against Tottenham at Wembley recently. 

M - Mateo Kovavic (CRO - Chelsea)

An absolute coup for Chelsea to get him on loan, even if the Blues are just keeping him warm for Real Madrid. 

LF - Ivan Perisic (CRO - Internazionale)

Perpetually linked with a move to Manchester United, the left-winger’s value rocketed this summer. The Internazionale winger broke England hearts by initiating the comeback win in the semi-finals at the Stadion Luzhniki. 

F - Harry Kane (ENG - Tottenham Hotspur)

Just has to be doesn’t it? The 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner may be off the boil for Spurs at the moment, but the England skipper’s record of 19 goals in 32 appearances speaks for itself.

Way on course for breaking Wayne Rooney’s goal-scoring record for country.

RF - Jadon Sancho (ENG - Borussia Dortmund)

Mainly because we’re so enamoured with the youngster at the moment, even though he’s unlikely to start against Croatia, Sancho is slotting in our forward line on the right. Leading the European pack, he has six assists in seven appearances- move than any other player in the continent’s top five leagues. The Borussia Dortmund Number 7 really does have the world at his feet.

Can he become the first player born this millennium to represent his country, but more importantly, how on Earth did Manchester City let this one go?

Admittedly, Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric or Ante Rebic of Eintracht Frankfurt should get the nod here, but it’s our list and we don’t care.