Jermaine Jenas explains why Champions League final was a “nightmare” for Gareth Southgate

Jermaine Jenas believes Ben Chilwell and Reece James’ superb performances in Chelsea’s Champions League final win against Manchester City will have give Gareth Southgate a huge selection headache ahead of England’s Euros opener against Croatia.

The Three Lions kick off their campaign at Wembley on Sunday with big things expected of them, but much of the talk ahead of the tournament has centred on how they will line up at the back.

Both James and Chilwell are big contenders to start versus Croatia, yet the full-back position is arguably England’s strongest, with fierce competition for places.

And speaking exclusively to Mirror Football, former England midfielder Jenas suggested that the pair’s showing against City may have even convinced Southgate to change formation to accommodate them.

Ben Chilwell and Reece James shone in the Champions League final (Image: Pool via REUTERS)

“I thought Ben Chilwell and Reece James were the two best players on the night,” Jenas said. “It’s a really tough one for Gareth Southgate.

“While I was watching that Champions League final I thought ‘you’ve had a nightmare here’, because Reece James might have completely changed your formation.

“And the worst part was that Kyle Walker was probably Man City’s best player as well, so you think ‘what do you do here?’

“James’ was the type of performance that could make you change your mind in terms of formation. We’ve been very much set in recent games playing a back four, but I looked at that with him and Chilwell and thought ‘we would look pretty solid playing that way.’

“If we are going three at the back, you would lean towards James or Kieran Tripper, who are more creative going forward, but if we’re playing with two centre-halves you would lean more towards Kyle Walker. But what great options to have.”

Jenas also had his say on who should make up England’s attacking options, adding: “I’m going Mason Mount just behind Harry Kane, Phil Foden on the left, and on the right… it’s a tough one.

Gareth Southgate has some difficult decisions to make ahead of England’s first game on Sunday (Image: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)

“Raheem Sterling plays well for England but hasn’t had a great season. But I think Gareth will play Sterling, and I think that will be his starting three.

“I would be more inclined to have a look at Jadon Sancho potentially on the right. It depends on Jack Grealish. I’ve spoken to Gareth and I think a lack of fitness is a worry to him. But there are special players like Grealish who you may give an allowance to.”

Jenas, meanwhile, was recently pranked by fellow Euros ITV pundit Ally McCoist ahead of the upcoming clash between England and Scotland.

McCoist teamed up with Heineken to convince Jenas that he’d been given the honour of modelling a specially made commemorative suit to mark the 60 th anniversary of the European Championship.

What Jenas was not to know was that McCoist was directing the suit design, photo shoot and a fake live broadcast behind the scenes.

Jermaine Jenas was pranked by his fellow ITV pundit Ally McCoist (Image: Heineken)

McCoist briefed the tailor to provide the surprise addition to the beautifully cut suit – a giant Saltire (Flag of Scotland) embroidered on the back.

After he was duped, Jenas said: “I was very flattered to be asked to model the anniversary suit, it was made by a brilliant Savile Row tailor

The two shared a beer afterwards to make up following the prank (Image: Heineken)

“I like my fashion and nothing seemed out of the ordinary about the shoot until I realised that I was being broadcast with the flag of our biggest rivals spread across my back.

“When Ally appeared out of nowhere, the penny dropped as there were a few other Scottish references throughout the day.

“Hopefully, England will take the victory on June 18 and that might keep even Ally McCoist quiet.”

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