Kane and Sterling get in as our reporters pick best combined England XI from Euro 96′ and Euro 2020

Venables over Southgate, a rock-solid centre back pairing of Maguire and Adams… and of course Kane, Sterling and Gazza get in – Our reporters pick their best combined Euro ’96 and Euro 2020 England sides ahead of tonight’s huge semi-final against Denmark

  • England have emulated the famous Euro ’96 team by reaching the semi-finals
  • It has sparked debate about if today’s team is more talented than the team of ’96
  • Sportsmail’s reporters pick their best combined XI of the two England teams
  • There are no places for Kalvin Phillips, John Stones, David Platt or Luke Shaw 
  • But Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Tony Adams and Paul Gascoigne all get in 
  • Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here


Win on Wednesday night and this England team will go down as our greatest ever performers in a European Championship.  

England’s run to the semi-finals this year has evoked memories of Terry Venables’ famous Euro 96′ team that fell just short and sparked fierce debate about which side is better.

Here, Sportsmail’s reporters pick an England dream XI by combining players from both of the Euro ’96 and Euro 2020 squads.

This England squad reached the semi-final of the European Championship back in 1996

Gareth Southgate's Three Lions can go one step further if they beat Denmark on Wednesday

Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions can go one step further if they beat Denmark on Wednesday

IAN LADYMAN

ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Seaman; Walker, Adams, Maguire, Pearce; Ince, Gascoigne; Grealish, Sheringham, Sterling; Kane.

Manager: Venables

Such a hard task, this. So many deserving players left out. 

I have gone for a combination of midfield experience and genius in Paul Ince and Paul Gascoigne while it’s impossible to leave out Stuart Pearce, knowing how motivated he would be. 

Up front? Kane or Shearer? Sorry Alan, but Harry’s on fire now and will surely score again on Wednesday.

Stuart Pearce has to get in because of the passion and drive he showed playing for England

Stuart Pearce has to get in because of the passion and drive he showed playing for England

Terry Venables guided England to the semi-final of Euro '96

Gareth Southgate has done the same this year but Venables gets the nod over him as boss

Gareth Southgate is a fine manager but Terry Venables gets the nod over him as England boss

DOMINIC KING

ENGLAND (3-4-1-2): Seaman; Southgate, Adams, Maguire; McManaman, Rice, Gascoigne, Sterling; Sheringham; Kane, Shearer.

Manager: Venables

I’m playing 3-4-1-2 in a nod to Terry Venables’s formation. 

It might be a little too cavalier for some but nothing is getting through that defence plus this team would have so much of the ball, it wouldn’t need to worry about being dominated. 

We’d hardly be wondering where our goals would come from either? Sheringham supplying Kane and Shearer? Yes please.

Not many would get through with Tony Adams and Harry Maguire in the defence together

Not many would get through with Tony Adams and Harry Maguire in the defence together

Alan Shearer finished the top scorer at Euro '96 with five goals

Harry Kane has the golden boot is his sights after netting three times in his last two games

Alan Shearer (left) and Harry Kane (right) being supplied by Teddy Sheringham would thrive

SAMI MOKBEL

ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Seaman; Walker, Adams, Maguire, Pearce; Ince, Rice; Sterling, Gascoigne, McManaman; Kane.

Manager: Southgate

Jordan Pickford has had a wonderful tournament, but Ol’ Safe Hands gets the nod in goal. 

The back-four – captained by Tony Adams – is impenetrable. With Paul Ince and Declan Rice shielding them they probably wouldn’t have much to do anyway. 

As for the front four: goals, goals, goals.

Jordan Pickford has been brilliant but David Seaman makes the cut in between the sticks

Jordan Pickford has been brilliant but David Seaman makes the cut in between the sticks

Paul Gascoigne was a creative genius and makes the team all day long

Raheem Sterling has been England's standout performer at Euro 2020

You must simply have to make room for Paul Gascoigne (left) and Raheem Sterling (right)