Foden and Walker set to start for England tonight
By James Fudge
Gareth Southgate is set to ring the changes for England’s final group game of their Group B adventure as they look set to advance into the round of 16 with a win against Wales.
Following criticism of the USA performance, the manager is to go with a different lineup after naming an unchanged team from the first match. In doing so, he looks to bring a few Manchester City players into the starting XI.
After much pressure from England fans, including our Laura, Phil Foden is set to be brought into starting lineup, and will be starting in an advanced position in a midfield three.
Many England fans have been wanting the youngster, who is arguably England’s best technical player, to start or be introduced as he will bring a greater threat from advanced positions and his technical skills are superior to Mason Mount.
Who knows whether Gareth would have picked him without the pressure or not, but he has been cautious about talking the Stockport Iniesta up and warned against heaping pressure on him, claiming it would be a risk to pin England’s hopes of winning the World Cup on one player.
That may be true, but he has handled a level of pressure most wouldn’t be able to at the grand old age of 22, winning four Premier League titles and starring in the last two campaigns.
Another City player who is anticipated to come into the lineup is Kyle Walker. The City and England regular has not featured so far in Qatar and will want to impress and secure a starting berth should England advance into the next round, where Senegal or Netherlands await.
The full-back arrived at the World Cup still recovering from a groin injury which ruled him out of the final month of the domestic season.
Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson are also the rumoured changes from Sky Sports which would suggest that Walker will play right back instead of Kieran Trippier, who will miss out or play as a left back.
Super calves, Jack Grealish, will likely be introduced if England is struggling for attacking freedom while Kalvin Phillips will hope for his first taste of World Cup action.
No matter who plays let’s hope England advance into the next round as they aim to bring it home.
Let us know your score predictions for the match.