Shoot!’s ultimate England-Spain combined XI

The countdown has begun! The final international break of 2016 is almost over.

Love it, or loathe it; England welcome FIFA World Cup 2010 winners and Euro 2012 champions Spain to Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night (20:00) in the Three Lions’ final international fixture of the calendar year.

It is also Gareth Southgate’s final game in charge of the national side since taking interim charge of England, following Sam Allardyce’s departure back in September.

Since ‘Big Sam’s’ dramatic exit, the England Under-21 boss has guided the senior side to two victories and one draw in their latest World Cup 2018 qualifying ties – defeating Malta 2-0 at Wembley, enduring a goalless encounter in Slovenia, before fending off rivals Scotland 3-0 on Friday evening.

Next up for England, Julen Lopetegui’s Spaniards, who eased past Macedonia 4-0 in their respective World Cup qualifying group on Saturday.

Possessing the likes of David De Gea, Juan Mata, David Silva, Isco and Alvaro Morata within their ranks, Shoot! have put together their ultimate England-Spain combined XI.

Who would you include on your teamsheet?

David De Gea

The first winner from our England-Spain combined XI is Manchester United shot stopper David De Gea, who fends off Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart to take our number one jersey.

The 26-year-old has blossomed into one of the world’s finest ‘keepers since his arrival at Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid back in 2011, becoming an integral part of the Red Devils’ first-team.

Despite recording only five clean sheets in 16 appearances in all competitions for United so far this season, De Gea is poised to be Spain’s number one goalkeeper for the long-term future, with the legendary Iker Casillas starting to fade into the background.

Kyle Walker

Chosen over Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal is Tottenham full-back Kyle Walker, who has flourished into one of the best right-backs in the Premier League.

The 26-year-old is now first choice for club and country, fending off Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne in England’s last four fixtures, under both Sam Allardyce and Gareth Southgate.

Walker; who joined Spurs from Sheffield United back in 2009, is great going forward and possesses a real offensive threat, but he has also significantly improved his defensive game to become an established and solid full-back.

Marc Bartra

Perhaps pipping Gary Cahill to the first centre-back slot is Marc Bartra.

The 25-year-old, who left La Liga giants FC Barcelona for Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund before the beginning of the 2016/17 campaign, has undoubted talent and ability, which will surely shine through in Germany this season.

Bartra has already scored once in his first 10 appearances for Dortmund and has worked his way into the Spanish first-team fold after years of being on the fringes of the squad, or left on the bench.

We’ll reiterate, this was a close call between Cahill and Bartra, considering the Chelsea defender also scored against Scotland on Friday.

John Stones

Bartra’s centre-half partner? John Stones.

The Manchester City star, who sealed his £47.5m switch to the Etihad Stadium earlier this summer from Everton, has all the makings of a world-class defender, and with time on his side, he is certainly on the right track.

Stones was part of the Three Lions defence that snuffed out Scotland on Friday and has been a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s defence this campaign as City lie just two points adrift of leaders Liverpool in the Premier League, especially with influential captain Vincent Kompany continually struggling with injury on the sidelines.

Cesar Azpilicueta

Sorry Danny Rose! We have opted for Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back, with the Spaniard a significantly solid key man at Chelsea since his arrival back in 2012.

Granted; last season’s horrendous campaign at Stamford Bridge hardly reflected the full-back’s talent, but already under Antonio Conte this term, Cesar and Chelsea have launched a serious title challenge having won their last five Premier League fixtures.

An ever-present star in Conte’s backline, either at left-back or centre-half, Azpilicueta hasn’t missed a minute of Premier League action so far this season and is a more reliable defender than Tottenham’s Rose, despite his considerable improvement over the past six to 12 months.

Raheem Sterling

As many predicted, the arrival of former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has worked wonders for Raheem Sterling.

It is often forgotten that the winger is still only 21-years-old, yet he is an important member of the Manchester City and England first-team set-up, having scored five goals and provided seven assists in 16 games in all competitions already this season.

Sergio Busquets

Occupying the defensive role inside our central midfield partnership is Sergio Busquets.

The 28-year-old is Spain’s second most experienced player in tomorrow night’s squad, only behind David Silva, with the FC Barcelona man set to earn his 93rd international cap against England.

Defensively sound, Busquets is a master at sniffing out and halting attacks in a flash, allowing the rest of the midfield to focus on their attacking duties, which is witnessed in abundance at the Nou Camp every match.

Adam Lallana

Considering his impressive form so far this season, Adam Lallana snatches the remaining central midfield position over the likes of Jordan Henderson, Eric Dier, Koke, Isco, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera.

The 28-year-old’s starting place is justified when you look at this term’s statistics already, having helped fire Liverpool to the top of the Premier League standings with three goals and five assists to his name.

Plus; Lallana has been influential for the Three Lions too, netting the last-gasp winner in Slovakia back in September, before doubling England’s lead against rivals Scotland only last week with a neat header.

David Silva

On the left wing is Manchester City’s David Silva, completing our team’s width, with club team-mate Sterling on the opposite side.

The 30-year-old has been a creative spark in City’s ranks ever since his 2010 arrival from Valencia, providing 93 assists and pitching in with 44 goals in over 270 appearances for the Citizens.

Silva is another player starring under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, meaning he starts ahead of the likes of Jose Callejon, Theo Walcott, Andros Townsend and Jesse Lingard in our combined XI.

Alvaro Morata

The first of a lethal striker partnership up front is Alvaro Morata, who has finally proved he is good enough for Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old is Spain’s number one striker having scored three goals at this summer’s Euro 2016 in France, before sealing his return to the Bernabeu from Serie A giants Juventus, having left the Galacticos back in 2014.

In fact; Morata was heavily linked with a summer switch to the Premier League, especially with Chelsea, but the forward has found his feet under Zinedine Zidane at Madrid and has already bagged eight goals in all competitions this term.

Marcus Rashford

And finally, the final spot goes to uprising star, Marcus Rashford.

The 19-year-old, who this time last year wasn’t even heard of for club or country, has relished a meteoric rise to stardom after scoring twice on his Manchester United debut back in February.

Rashford, who is also the Three Lions’ youngest ever goalscoring debutant after netting against Australia back in May, has already racked up 13 goals in 36 games for United in nine months.

Despite failing to feature against Scotland last week, the Wythenshawe-born sensation is fast becoming England’s most dangerous weapon – at the age of just 19!