IAN WRIGHT has picked his perfect England XI for Tuesday night’s Euro 2020 last-16 clash with Germany – with no room for Bukayo Saka or Jack Grealish.
The Three Lions put in an impressive performance during the 1-0 win over Czech Republic in their most-recent match with Grealish and Saka starring in a 4-2-3-1.
But Wright is itching for Gareth Southgate to return to 4-3-3, with Mason Mount and Phil Foden – who started the first two group games against Croatia and Scotland – returning to the team for Germany.
Foden was rested for the final game of the group stage, already with a yellow card to his name.
Mount missed the game as he was forced to go into isolation after coming into contact with Billy Gilmour, who later tested positive for coronavirus.
The Chelsea man is training away from the squad with Ben Chilwell, but could return to the fold against Germany at Wembley, with the duo’s isolation ending on Monday.
Wright also plumped for a back-four of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw – who all started against the Czechs.
Up front, the ex-Arsenal star wants to see captain Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling – who scored both of England’s group stage goals – in a front-three alongside Foden.
Wright told ITV: “For me, I’d go with the 4-3-3 and try to force ourselves on Germany.
“I’d bring Mount in for Grealish… I’d play Foden, Kane and Sterling up front.”
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Finishing off his XI, Wright added: “I’d play Rice, Phillips and Mount (in midfield).
“And then the back four – Shaw, Maguire, Stones and Walker.”
Wright continued by saying England must impose their game-plan on Germany and not play just to ‘nullify’ them, pointing to the threat posed by wing-backs Joshua Kimmich and Robin Gosens.
The former England striker said: “I want us to play with those wingers and keep them pinned back.
“If we can keep Kimmich and Gosens out of it and force our game on them.
“We’ve got a better chance of beating them rather than trying to nullify Germany.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
