England semi-final form guide

JORDAN PICKFORD

RIGHT up until this World Cup there were doubts over who should be our goalkeeper but Pickford has more than proved why he should be England’s No 1. Goalkeepers today are judged on their footwork. I cannot fault his distribution but I am more impressed by his ability to pull off the saves in the big moments. Whether it’s a last-gasp save, a penalty shootout or criticism from Thibaut Courtois, nothing fazes him. I cannot think of a better goalkeeper at this World Cup. Pickford is brimming with confidence — and he is the sort of character who will tell you there is even more to come.

KYLE WALKER

PUTTING him on the right of a back three looks like a masterstroke. Pace is one of his biggest assets but positionally he has been excellent. If there is one criticism, it is that of the three centre halves he looks the most likely to make a mistake. He conceded the penalty against Tunisia and his lapse of concentration could have gifted Colombia a goal. He looked more solid against Sweden and I have little doubt he will continue to mature into this new position.

JOHN STONES

EXTREMELY accomplished. When you play in the middle of a back three, you have a responsibility to bring out the ball and your decision-making must be spot on. Stones may not have played much football in the second half of last season but he is clearly benefiting from a manager who has every faith in his ability. We have not seen the lapses in concentration that can lead to mistakes and against Croatia, his focus must remain razor sharp.

HARRY MAGUIRE

SIMPLY outstanding. He has seized his opportunity and become a real star of the tournament. I thought Gary Cahill would be pushing him hard to start but he has more than repaid Gareth Southgate’s faith. Maguire defends well, is a threat at setpieces and his confidence in his ability is there for all to see. If he lacks anything it is a bit of pace. That means he has to be spot on positionally but he has been flawless. Long may it continue.

JORDAN HENDERSON

HE must be the most popular man in the dressing room the way he unselfishly shields the back line. His leadership on the pitch has been superb and I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves. There may be a slight concern over his temperament. He was the one player who looked like they could lose their head in the face of

Colombia’s dirty tricks. He deserves immense credit for keeping his cool — especially when on a booking against Sweden — and must do so again in the semi-final.

KIERAN TRIPPIER

ANOTHER England player who has taken this tournament by the scruff of the neck. His delivery, particularly from setpieces, is very good — and just look at his penalty against Colombia. It was astonishing the way he whipped it into the top corner. That shows you how confident he is. He has exceeded all expectations.

JESSE LINGARD

HE works exceptionally hard for the team, particularly when England do not have the ball. He has been very neat and tidy but now I want to see more creativity from him. If England are going to win this semi-final, it may come down to one slide-rule pass, one moment of brilliance. We know Lingard will run the hard yards but I want him and Dele Alli to create more chances for Harry Kane.

DELE ALLI

THERE is plenty more to come from him... and that goal will have done wonders for his confidence. It was typical Dele Alli — a perfectly timed run and a great header. As with Lingard, I am yet to see him make that really clever, incisive pass to set up Kane. That has never been a big part of his game but it is something England lack in midfield.

ASHLEY YOUNG

ANY concerns over the defensive side of his game were allayed with a solid performance against Sweden. His decision-making has been superb and you can tell he is growing into the tournament. When he is on the attack, he tends to chop back on to his right foot before crossing, but in the quarter-final he started hitting first-time balls off his left. You cannot wish for more from him.

RAHEEM STERLING

HIS critics say he cannot finish. I would rather focus on what he does well. Sterling was England’s most dangerous player in the first half against Sweden. With Kane shackled, he kept on taking on defenders and getting in behind. The only thing he lacks is a finishing touch but if he has the confidence to keep getting in these excellent positions, the

goal will come. No one in this squad can play this role as well as him. Gareth is right to keep the faith. HARRY KANE HE has incredible mental strength, links up well and leads the line superbly for England. He is the one England player every team knows they have to give special attention to. Kane continues to be the main man in terms of goalscoring and with six goals to his name, has a great opportunity to win the Golden Boot. If England get a chance to win the semi-final, you would not want it to fall to any other striker at the tournament.