England manager Gareth Southgate has some big decisions to make ahead of his team’s final group game with Wales. The Three Lions need a win to guarantee top spot in the group while Rob Page’s men need three points otherwise their World Cup will end at the first stage.
All the talk has been about Phil Foden in the build-up, but England have a squad of 26 that need minutes if they are to progress deep into the competition. Here’s the most sensible line-up for England as they target top spot.
GK - Jordan Pickford
England’s number one and consistency is needed in between the sticks. He’s coming off the back of a clean sheet against USA and unlike some of the outfield players, doesn’t need a rest.
RB - Kyle Walker
England desperately need to get minutes into Kyle Walker, who is yet to start a match since injuring his groin for Manchester City. He made it onto the plane, unlike Reece James, and now needs to get up to speed before England enter the knockout stage. If England beat their last 16 opponent, a potential quarter-final with France awaits, and Kylian Mbappe’s pace needs to be prepared for.
CB - John Stones
England’s centre-back duo were the two standouts against the USA and there is no reason to change anything here. Stones and Maguire could do with another match to further solidify their partnership, and along with Pickford, they provide the stable backline that England need.
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CB - Harry Maguire
Same as above, but better. Maguire was England’s best performer last time out and Southgate’s faith looks like it has paid off. The Manchester United man needs a run of games to build his confidence back up, while his attacking threat is undeniable.
LB - Kieran Trippier
This may seem strange, but it makes sense. Luke Shaw has got through a hefty workload so far, and is guaranteed to start the last 16 match. But England can’t afford him to get injured. Meanwhile, Trippier might have been out of sorts against the US, but if Walker gets up to speed, he could sit out the last 16 tie.
CDM - Kalvin Phillips
Declan Rice has had a decent tournament so far, but Phillips, along the same lines as Walker, desperately needs some minutes if he is to be of any use in this tournament. It is far more likely he will come off the bench for Declan Rice, but he needs some minutes tonight.
CDM - Jordan Henderson
Henderson looks likely to start for England tonight and again probably needs a full 90 minutes to get up to speed. England, barring disaster, will have a last 16 match to think about, and they need their subs to be fit and firing. It would also take the pressure off Jude Bellingham, who didn’t perform well against the USA.
CAM - James Maddison
If he is back and able to play 60 minutes, Maddison should start ahead of Mason Mount. Mount is tried and tested and will probably play a big part in this tournament in the knockout stages, but Maddison provides something special. And England fans are desperate to see it.
RW - Phil Foden
Foden has to be given a chance to show what he can do for England, and this is it. From the right he can work his magic and have the freedom to go where he pleases, with Man City teammate Kyle Walker behind him. Bukayo Saka has been terrific for England, but Foden needs to be given 90 minutes for sharpness as well as confidence.
CF - Harry Kane
England’s captain, if he is fit, will start. He could do with getting off the mark in this tournament having failed to score in England’s six-goal rout of Iran, and then his World Cup will be up and running. Ideally, he’d be rested on the hour mark having got on the scoresheet.
LW - Marcus Rashford
With Foden and Kane, the Three Lions will desperately need some pace to run in behind, which is why Rashford gets the nod over Jack Grealish. The Manchester United man is in flying form and has looked sharp in his substitute appearances this tournament. Let’s see what he can do from the start.
