GARETH SOUTHGATE has got one hell of a selection headache ahead of England’s World Cup round of 16 clash with African champions Senegal.
The Three Lions finished top of Group B after recording a draw with the USA and two thumping wins over Iran and Wales.
Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford, in particular, are in red-hot form.
Manchester United ace Rashford bagged a brace in the 3-0 win over Wales to add to the goal he scored against Iran, making him the World Cup’s joint-top scorer.
And Foden added some much needed creative spark in the final third, and was rewarded with a goal in the second half against the Dragons.
They’ll be competing with England mainstays Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka, though.
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Both Sterling and Saka have netted in Qatar, with their goals coming in the 6-2 win over Iran.
Should England see off Senegal, a quarter-final date with reigning world champions France or Poland awaits.
Strange things have already happened this World Cup.
Poland beating France could be the next, or Senegal beating England.
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But how could Southgate’s Three Lions line up to make sure they’re into the last eight?
4-2-3-1
Southgate has used this formation twice at this World Cup, deploying it against Iran and the USA.
Mason Mount started in the No10 role, but he’s yet to score this tournament, while Foden has.
Kyle Walker got 57 minutes under his belt against Wales, so Kieran Trippier may come back in to hand the City ace more recovery time.
Should Southgate go with the 4-2-3-1, Trippier will start in a back four alongside John Stones, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw, and they’ll be tasked with protecting Jordan Pickford.
Declan Rice will start in all three of these set-ups.
His midfield partner so far has been Jude Bellingham, but that could change with Kalvin Phillips returning to fitness and Jordan Henderson being handed minutes.
Rashford could start off the right and Sterling off the left, but they could rotate during the game.
They’ll provide the legs to support striker Harry Kane.
4-3-3
England switched to a three-man midfield against Wales, bringing in Henderson while dropping Mount.
Southgate’s men dominated the ball.
The same keeper and back four will remain, but a tweak could be made in midfield.
England need to be aggressive in the knockouts, especially against the likes of France.
And so Kalvin Phillips could come into the three-man midfield alongside Rice and Bellingham.
Phillips is good in a tackle and controlled in possession.
His passing range is excellent too.
Kane will start, but changes could be made out wide with Rashford being pushed out to the left and Saka playing on the right.
3-4-3
This set-up may appear against Senegal, but if it doesn’t and England get through, you can bank on seeing it in the latter stages against higher ranked opposition.
This formation would see Walker come back into the team, especially with Ben White returning home for personal reasons.
It could also allow Southgate to test out Trent Alexander-Arnold as a wing-back.
His talent is undeniable going forward but he’s defensively shaky.
Walker could provide the perfect stability for Alexander-Arnold to influence England in the final third.
Pickford, Maguire and Stones would all keep their place, as would Shaw.
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Rice, again, will play but with this set-up Southgate could go safe with Phillips rather than Bellingham.
Pace, pace, pace. Foden on the left, Rashford on the right and Kane up top.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
