Alan Shearer names his ideal England front six for Euro 2024 as Newcastle legend says Gareth Southgate should play Harry Kane at No 10 with Ollie Watkins leading the line

Alan Shearer surprised fans as he named his preferred starting front six for England’s Euro 2024 campaign.

We may be entering the business end of the season but many already have their eyes on the tournament in Germany and the Three Lions’ hopes of finally ending the long wait for silverware.

Gareth Southgate is blessed with one of the best squads in Europe but that also brings with it selection headaches.

And Shearer believes the England boss should opt for a new approach and reward Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins for his brilliant form.

The Newcastle legend turned pundit told The Athletic: ‘Five of the front six are guaranteed starters: Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane. Those players, all of them enjoying brilliant seasons, make up five of the best front six in world football.

Alan Shearer says Gareth Southgate should start Ollie Watkins at Euro 2024 

‘But there is one spot in the team still up for grabs. There is another viable option, one that I would like to throw into the mix. I don’t expect Gareth to go for this approach but there are circumstances when it would be exactly what England needed.’

‘Play Ollie Watkins in the No 9 role. Kane can drop back into the No 10 space, which we all know is a natural part of his game and one where he has been so key in creating for England, Tottenham and Bayern Munich.

‘Bellingham would take up a deeper midfield position alongside Rice. Foden and Saka still cut in from out wide.

‘Yes, it would be a first, as the two have never shared a pitch for England — but this season, Watkins is looking like the most improved player in the Premier League. 

Watkins has been in brilliant form up front for high-flying Aston Villa this season 

‘He has 16 league goals already, his best top-flight return, with 11 games left to play. This is already the season of his life.

‘Some of the credit for that must go down to Unai Emery, who appears to have told Watkins to do the vast majority of his work between the width of the penalty area. It’s not genius but it certainly works.’

Shearer added: ‘I always say that the one thing defenders hate doing is running back towards their own goal.

Shearer says captain Harry Kane should play in a deeper role to accommodate Watkins 

‘That is exactly what Watkins makes you do because he is constantly running in behind them, a nightmare for them to play against.

‘There is a little bit of Jermain Defoe to how he plays: he’s very intelligent with his movement, he’s got good feet, he’s quick and is always looking to find space in the box.’