Who Joins Manchester City Star Raheem Sterling In The Combined England Spain XI?

Who Joins Manchester City Star Raheem Sterling In The Combined England Spain XI?
14:53, 15 Oct 2018

The relatively damp squib that was Croatia versus England in an empty stadium last week did nothing to appease those desiring the Premier League to make a swift return.

Before the 2018/19 season resumes however, the Three Lions have a must-win game at the Estadio Benito Villamarin in Seville - the home ground of Real Betis - against Spain.

La Roja currently top their UEFA Nations League group with back-to-back wins over both Croatia and England, and under former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique are swiftly eradicating memories of their dire World Cup campaign that was completely unbefitting of the former world champions.

Their recent demolition of Ryan Giggs’ Wales continues a undefeated run in 90 minutes that stretches all the way back to June 2016 in the Euros.

Most worrying for England coach Gareth Southgate is the statistic that not only are England winless in their last four - on the verge of a record held since 1992 when the team were coached by Graham Taylor - but Spain have won each of their past four matches against England on home soil by an aggregate score of 6-0.

The Sportsman takes a look at the stars of both teams in the most-recent call-up who would make a stellar combined XI of the two teams who meet head-on tonight at 19:45 (GMT).

Goalkeeper: David De Gea (SPAIN - Manchester United)

Though his performances in recent times in the national side have been questionable, ‘Dave’ still remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Left-Back: Marcos Alonso (SPAIN - Chelsea)

Real credentials to be the best left-back in the Premier League. Remember when he used to play for Bolton?

Centre-Back: Sergio Ramos (SPAIN - Real Madrid)

Like him or loath him, you know you would bite your own hand off to have the Spain skipper at your club.

Centre-Back: Harry Maguire (ENG - Leicester City)

There’s probably no other player that seems to care as passionately about the England cause as much as the Leicester defender.

Of course, not the most glamorous name, but the man you undoubtedly want fighting your corner. Good old Slabhead.

Right-Back: Kyle Walker (ENG - Manchester City)

Many questioned the amount Manchester City forked out for the Sheffield lad to bring him from Tottenham Hotspur. No-one is anymore. Excellent passing, speed, and composure.

Left-Wing: Marco Asensio (SPAIN - Real Madrid)

It’s unsurprising that the Real Madrid man has been linked with Manchester City recently. What a player. Just 22 years of age, two Champions League trophies and a La Liga title under his belt, and a fundamental cog in Los Blancos’ set-up.

Midfield: Thiago Alcantara (SPAIN - Bayern München) 

Not many players can say quitting Barcelona was the best decision of their career. Bayern Munich’s Alcantara can. Got the highest accolade from none other than Mario Balotelli who has called the midfielder ‘el más grande”: the greatest.

Midfield: Koke (SPAIN - Atlético Madrid)

A product of Atlético’s youth academy and now vice-captain for Diego Simeone’s side. Likely to remain a one-club man, skipper when Diego Godin leaves/ retires, and hopefully becomes as integral for the Spain national team as he is for Los Rojiblancos.

Right-Wing: Raheem Sterling (ENG - Manchester City)

Unfair the amount of criticism levelled at him, Sterling's movement and link-up play would be simply exquisite to watch in this combined XI with some of the talent around him.

Centre Forward: Harry Kane (ENG - Tottenham Hotspur)

Ignoring the fact that the Spurs striker has failed to score in his past six appearances for England, - his joint-longest goalless run for the national side - Kane is still the incumbent World Cup Golden Boot winner and can legitimately claim to be in the upper echelons with Europe’s elite.

Centre Forward: Paco Alcácer (SPAIN - Borussia Dortmund)

The Barcelona forward is currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund and is in simply breathtaking form; Alcácer has already scored the same amount of goals for Die Schwarzgelben than he managed in the entirety of last season, and bagged a brace for country against Wales.

You can follow tonight’s match between Spain and England live with The Sportsman using the link provided below.

Spain & England Combined XI
Spain & England Combined XI
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