WE HAVE PICK OF THE BEST TO STRIKE FEAR
THE sight of Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish standing on the touchline ready to come on would cause concern for most sides.
What must Iran have thought as they trailed England 4-1 in their World Cup opener on Monday and saw the trio ready to come on around the 70th minute.
It was further evidence of what talent Gareth Southgate has at his disposal at this World Cup and how they have the arsenal to fire the Three Lions into the latter stages of the tournament.
It is also why if the England boss wanted to rest Harry Kane despite him being cleared to face the USA tomorrow night he should have enough to get a win over the Americans.
Of course, it’s not just those who came on against Iran.
Those who started didn’t do too badly. Kane with an assist double. Bukayo Saka with two goals and Raheem Sterling with his first World Cup strike.
That’s all with James Maddison not close to featuring yet in the tournament.
Kane through the middle offers more than just goals, the link-up play makes him so important to the way both this England side and Tottenham play.
But with Callum Wilson and Rashford, Southgate has options through the middle. Sterling could also move inside if needed. While Rashford and Grealish may have yet fully fulfilled their promise as they develop into the second half of their 20s, they always have a moment of magic in them.
Southgate took the shackles off against Iran and they delivered.
Being bold is surely the way forward with such talent.
This is a side with the attacking talent to outscore anyone if they’re at their best.
On the evidence of Monday, they are also clinical. They had 13 shots, seven on target and scored six. England keeper Jordan Pickford (inset) described them as ruthless. He faces them every day in training out here at their Al-Wakra base so has a fair idea.
“Unbelievable,” the Everton shot stopper said when their abilities were brought up.
“Each and every one of them, really.
“If we are doing shooting drills, attacking drills, they are ruthless in front of goal.”
Facing them in training must be a daunting task, but it has its benefits.
“As a goalkeeper, sometimes you can’t save them but you are up against the best so when you do save them you feel good about yourself and have a buzz,” added Pickford.
“Top strikers in the world like Harry Kane and Rashy, the wingers are all unbelievable in front of goal so it is good to train with and gets the best out of you really.”
When the news of Kane needing a scan on his ankle broke on Tuesday evening, a nation held its breath.
If England are to go all the way in this World Cup he must stay fit.