Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Jill Scott and Ian Wright gave their verdict on their combined England-Spain XI ahead of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
On the Last episode of Overlap’s Stick to Football Euro 2024 Special, brought to you by Sky Bettingthe hosts reached a conclusion on their combined XI for the European Championship final.
But it wasn’t easy for the four former players, who had to make some tough decisions in all positions.
With Spain being the favourites for the trophy and having been the best team in the tournament so far, Neville opened the discussion by asking: ‘Which English players would make the Spanish team?’
In an interview with Stick to Football, the four began by choosing between goalkeepers Jordan Pickford and Unai Simon Wright. They said he would probably ‘keep the Spanish keeper’, but then he appeared to reverse his choice and go for England’s No. 1.
Harry Kane leads The Overlap’s combined England-Spain squad, but who’s behind him?
(Left to right) Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Jill Scott and Gary Neville all decided on a combined XI
Wright (left) and Keane (right) made some bold choices in their combined XI for the 2024 European Championship finals
“At international level I would probably go for Pickford,” Wright said, as Keane pointed out, “there’s not much in it.”
In defence, the four quickly agreed on Kyle Walker over Dani Carvajal at right-back (but only just) and Marc Cucurella over Kieran Trippier at left-back. It was an easy choice given the Spaniard’s form at the tournament, as Trippier plays in a different position.
John Stones was the first of the four central defenders, a unanimous choice over Real Sociedad’s Robin Le Normand.
Aymeric Laporte replaces him in the battle for Marc Guehi of England and Crystal Palace, but it is not without a fight. Jill Scott noted that the international debutant has played an excellent tournament so far.
It proved a tougher choice to become the central midfielder, with the all-Spanish duo of Rodri and Fabian Ruiz losing out to Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo – another young Englander making his international debut at the European Championships.
“I like both, I like the English ones,” Neville said, before concluding, “but based on form you would have to go for the Spanish players.”
Wright disagreed for the time being, saying he would ‘love’ to see Rodri-Rice occupy the midfield.
Spanish midfielder Rodri reached midfield – but with whom?
Marc Cucurella has had a brilliant tournament so far and was an easy choice for the left-back position
Neville chose Phil Foden over Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal on the left flank
Keane chastised him, saying: ‘You love Fabian Ruiz!’, after which Wright eventually admitted he needed an all-Spanish central midfielder.
But it was the attacking line that provided the biggest selection choices, with the co-hosts agreeing on an all-English attack.
Bukayo Saka was moved to right winger, opposite tournament standout Lamine Yamal; Phil Foden was preferred to Spanish star Nico Williams on the left, and Jude Bellingham took Dani Olmos’ place at No.10.
“Sorry, but the way he’s played this tournament, I’m not going to put anyone above Saka,” Wright said firmly, before Keane shook his hand and said: “I’m totally behind that, mate.”
“Can’t we take them both?” Scott asked hopefully.
Meanwhile, England captain Harry Kane is perhaps the panel’s easiest choice, along with Rodri, as they place him ahead of Spain captain Alvaro Morata. ‘Morata has no chance,’ Wright added.
Foden (left) was selected on the left flank despite Yamal (right) attracting European attention
Neville, Keane and Scott and Wright reveal their combined XI for the 2024 Euro 2024 final, England v Spain
A unanimous decision was taken on the composition of the squad, with Gary Neville finally asking how many English players were in the squad.
The score may have been six to five in England’s favour, but Ian Wright probably summed up the group’s feelings best when he said he didn’t want to know.
“I don’t care, I don’t care,” he replied dismissively. “That was really hard work.”
To watch the final episode of Stick to Football: The Overlap Special, fans can tune in to ITV1 and ITV X or watch on The Overlap YouTube channel.