ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate faces some major selection dilemmas ahead of the 2022 World Cup. The Qualifying draw was made today as the excitement will once again build that the Three Lions can end 56 years of hurt. Southgate’s men will take on Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra and San Marino for a spot at the […]
ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate faces some major selection dilemmas ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
The Qualifying draw was made today as the excitement will once again build that the Three Lions can end 56 years of hurt.
Southgate’s men will take on Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra and San Marino for a spot at the Qatar showpiece.
A lot can change before then, but Southgate already seems to be integrating new faces among old for this summer’s Euros… and then the big one the following year.
Here, SunSport predicts three likely line-ups the gaffer could go with as England head out to the Middle East.
Southgate seems happy to continue picking Jordan Pickford as his No1 despite a fair few clangers for Everton.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is invaluable for his marauding runs forward, snap in the tackle and set pieces, he bags right-back.
Ben Chilwell, with similar attributes to Alexander-Arnold plays on the left, with Harry Maguire partnered by a rejuvenated Eric Dier in the middle.
Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice provide the steel in the middle of the park, covering the two centre-halves and allowing an attacking rest of team.
Raheem Sterling will terrorise out on the right, while Marcus Rashford will be given the licence to cut in from the left.
Jack Grealish, who on recent form surely has to play, will be the link man creating chances for the prolific Harry Kane.
If Pickford’s shaky form continues, then Southgate could well turn to Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson – who could even usurp David De Gea at Old Trafford.
A back three centre-half line-up of Maguire, Michael Keane and Tyrone Mings should be decent cover, with Chilwell left wing-back and in-form Kieran Trippier on the right.
Henderson and Rice are joined by Mason Mount in the middle of the park. The Chelsea man is adding more and more to his game each passing game.
We’ve given Kane some support up top with Rashford occupying his more favoured central role. Opposition defences would NOT fancy that.
Injuries, suspensions, horrendous loss of form gives this wildcard a chance.
Nick Pope is given the keeper’s gloves – he continues to impress at Burnley.
Maguire, Keane and Dier are picked at centre-half, with Kyle Walker right wing-back and Arsenal’s rapidly progressing Bukayo Saka on the left.
Henderson and Mount are joined by Grealish in central midfield – the Aston Villa man asked to do a more disciplined role.
That’s because we’ve give Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho the licence to roam in the supporting role behind Kane.
Everton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin might be hard-done by not getting in this team – but it seems impossible that Kane can ever be dropped.
