Following a relatively feel good World Cup this summer, England return to Wembley Stadium to kick off their first UEFA Nations League match against Spain on Saturday night.
Gareth Southgate will be hoping his side can continue their impressive team performances, as they face a somewhat weakened Spain squad that is missing key players across the pitch.
The Three Lions little changed from the squad taken to Russia, with just a few new faces and replacements. However, it is a largely new-look Spanish squad under the reign of Luis Enrique, with many of the old guard now retired from international duty.
Here is a look at a hypothetical combined XI of players from both sides.
1. GK: David De Gea
Whilst Jordan Pickford showed his class throughout England’s World Cup campaign, even a faltering David De Gea remains one of the top goalkeepers in the world.
The 27-year-old, who joined Manchester United in 2011 and won last season’s Premier League golden glove award, has gone on to make 241 Premier League appearances in his seven-year spell at Old Trafford.
2. RWB: Kieran Trippier
Kieran Trippier found game time hard to come by in his first couple seasons at Tottenham Hotspur after making the move from Burnley in 2015, being kept out the team by starting right back Kyle Walker.
Since Walker’s move to Manchester City last season, the 27-year-old has excelled for club and country, and was a huge part of the Three Lions success at this summer’s World Cup.
Trippier netted the opening goal of the game in England’s semi-final against Croatia in Russia with a stunning free kick, which was replicated in Spurs’ second Premier League game of the season against Fulham.
3. LWB: Marcos Alonso
Marcos Alonso has started this season off strongly, picking up one goal and two assists in Chelsea’s opening four Premier League fixtures.
The 27-year-old left back has only made one appearance for the Spanish national team, but on recent form alone, takes the spot in this combined team.
With the likes of Luke Shaw and Danny Rose to compete with and Jordi Alba not in Enrique's first selection, Alonso just edges out the other options.
4. CB: Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker, despite having only played in a back three on a handful of occasions prior to the World Cup, made the position his own, excelling in his new look role in the Three Lions back line.
The 28-year-old natural right back, who made the move to Manchester City in July 2017, struck up a great partnership with the likes of Harry Maguire and club team mate John Stones throughout the tournament in Russia.
Walker provides the pace and power that other centre halves do not have, as well as the capability to drop out wide right when called upon.
5. CB: John Stones
John Stones, who joined the ranks at the Etihad in 2016, had a somewhat impressive individual 2018, winning the Premier League title, the English Football League Cup and the FA Community Shield.
The 24-year-old centre back, who made his England debut back in May 2014, excelled at the 2018 World Cup, helping guide the Three Lions to a fourth place finish, as well as picking up two goals along the way.
Stones played across multiple levels of youth international football for England, representing the Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21, before being rewarded with a call up to the first team.
6. CB: Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos has over 150 international first team appearances for Spain, and has won the FIFA World Cup in 2010, as well as two UEFA European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
The 32-year-old centre back, who has lifted the UEFA Champions League on four occasions in his 13 year spell at Real Madrid, has certainly done enough to warrant a starting spot in this side.
Ramos started his career at fellow La Liga side Sevilla, before making the move to the Bernabéu in 2005, where he has gone on to make 569 appearances.
7. CM: Sergio Busquets
Sergio Busquets has been one of the top defensive midfield players in the world for a number of years, having won three UEFA Champions Leagues, a FIFA World Cup and a UEFA European Championship throughout his ten year professional career.
The 30-year-old middle man, who made his Barcelona debut in 2008, has won 28 trophies during his spell at the Nou Camp, as well as an endless line of individual awards.
Busquets has made over a century of appearances for La Roja since his debut in 2009, and fully deserves his spot in this combined team.
8. AM: Dele Alli
Dele Alli has found the net on just one occasion so far this season for Tottenham Hotspur, but will be hoping to add to his 71 career goals throughout the campaign.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who signed for Spurs in the 2015 January transfer window on a five-and-a-half-year contract, has gone on to make 150 appearances for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Alli netted one goal at the World Cup this summer, but was an integral part of the Three Lions squad that made it to the semi-final in Russia.
9. AM: Isco
Isco made four appearances at the 2018 World Cup for Spain, finding the net on one occasion in the group stages against Morocco.
The 26-year-old had a somewhat disappointing tournament in Russia, despite coming off the back of a UEFA Champions League victory with Real Madrid.
The versatile attacking midfielder, who has made 244 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions since joining in 2013, is an integral part of Los Blancos set up.
10. ST: Alvaro Morata
With the likes of Diego Costa withdrawing from the Spain squad ahead of the England match due to ‘personal issues’, it leaves Alvaro Morata as the most experienced of Enrique's options to lead the line in the UEFA Nations League.
The 25-year-old, who joined the ranks at Stamford Bridge in July last year, has found the net once in Chelsea’s opening four Premier League fixtures, which has seen the Blues pick up maximum points.
11. Harry Kane
Harry Kane found the net on six occasions at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, following a campaign last year which saw the forward net 30 times in all competitions.
The 25-year-old front man has already scored twice in the Premier League this season, as well as picking up one assist, in pursuit of the 2018/19 golden boot.
Kane, who joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2009, is certainly one of the first names on the team sheet for this combined lineup.