OUR EXPERTS PICK THEIR ENGLAND TEAM FOR WORLD CUP
CHRIS SUTTON
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Tomori, Chilwell; Rice, Bellingham; Foden, Maddison, Sterling; Kane. THIS would be my team to bring a bit of life to England. I’d start Fikayo Tomori in a back four because he has pace and by all accounts he’s doing brilliantly at AC Milan. I can’t see Southgate switching to a back four but in the opening game against Iran — when England will be strong favourites — it would be the perfect sign of positivity. In Jude Bellingham, there’s a confident young lad in terrific form who they must make the most out of and James Maddison would inject a bit of creativity into the side.
IAN LADYMAN
(4-3-3):
Pickford; James, Maguire, Stones, Chilwell; Bellingham, Rice, Mount; Sterling, Kane, Foden.
SOUTHGATE’S preference for a back five against the best teams is a move driven by caution and he can argue that it has worked at times. England’s opener is against Iran, though, so it’s time to take the brakes off and seek a margin of victory that would inspire confidence to build on during the tournament. Reece James and Ben Chilwell are the best two players in their positions while Mason Mount rarely fails to bring a high level to the international stage. Jack Grealish, meanwhile, has been a valuable impact sub and that is where he should remain — to be used as a fresh pair of legs to come on and change a game.
SAMI MOKBEL
(4-2-3-1):
Pickford; Walker, Stones, Dier, Trippier; Rice, Bellingham; Foden, Mount, Sterling; Kane.
THERE’S no justification for England to set up with a five-man defence in the group stages. With all due respect to Iran, USA and Wales, those are games in which England should be assertive rather than being concerned with containing them in the final third. A four-man defence will suffice. The inclusions of Eric Dier and Kieran Trippier are perhaps the biggest calls. But both are playing regularly at their clubs, unlike Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire or Ben Chilwell. If any of those three do play consistently between now and the World Cup then they should start.
DOMINIC KING (4-3-3): Pickford: AlexanderArnold, Maguire, Stones, Chilwell: Bellingham, Henderson, Rice; Sterling, Kane, Foden.
AS MUCH as I would like to think this would be the team to face Iran, I don’t for one moment envisage it will be. I watch Trent Alexander-Arnold every week and have no doubts about his ability but will he be anything other than a squad player in Qatar? Jordan Henderson has to be included for his experience, particularly with Kalvin Phillips out of the frame. The front three picks itself and anyone who thinks Jack Grealish is unfortunate to miss out need only look at the stupid booking he received against Italy on Friday.