England are going to face their biggest challenge in the World Cup so far when they take on France on Saturday in the quarter-finals. What better way to test their credentials as potential world champions than to take on the current World Cup holders?
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions showed their class in attack in their 3-0 victory over Senegal and they are constantly improving. England are one of the strongest teams left in the tournament but so are France. This is set up to be one of the games of the tournament.
Many are already thinking about how Southgate might line up his team for this test. Some were quick to question the boss for dropping Marcus Rashford for Bukayo Saka against the Lions Of Teranga but with the latter scoring against Senegal, he silenced his doubters once again.
Here is how we expect the Three Lions to line up against Les Bleus on Saturday.
GK - Jordan Pickford
Pickford to simply put it, is undroppable. He has been a mainstay for Southgate in tournaments so far and so has a wealth of experience in the knockout stage, including that famous penalty shoot-out against Colombia four years ago.
RB - Kyle Walker
He may have looked sluggish against Ismaila Sarr but Walker remains England’s greatest chance at trying to nullify Kylian Mbappe, who loves to exploit and find space on the left. Walker rarely puts a foot wrong in an England shirt but he will need to be completely switched on if he is to deal with one of the best players on the planet.
READ MORE:
CB - John Stones
One half of the Yorkshire double act of the back line, Stones has come into his own in defence for England in the past few years. While having the attributes of an old school defender, he is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and that is a huge bonus against a team like France.
CB - Harry Maguire
The other half of this reliable duo is of course Maguire. He may struggle when he’s playing at club level but, under Southgate, Maguire is a top-performing defender. He has been commanding for the Three Lions so far and he was by far their best player against USA.
LB - Luke Shaw
Shaw is England’s only natural left-sided defender in the squad but even if there was competition, Southgate would not drop him. Shaw is effective in both boxes and in a battle against France, support from the full-backs could be key in attack.
CDM - Declan Rice
The midfield battle against France is likely going to decide the outcome of the game and Rice is crucial to the way England play and only an injury or illness would keep him out of the side.
CM - Jordan Henderson
The stalwart midfielder has made himself undroppable after his recent performances against Wales and Senegal. He is essentially an extra member of the coaching staff on the pitch and his leadership qualities are as valuable as his experience.
CM - Jude Bellingham
The 19-year-old sensation has been one of the best players in the tournament and his incredible attributes to do it all from midfield makes him one of Southgate’s greatest weapons. His contributions to England’s first two goals against Senegal were extraordinary and he certainly won’t be fazed playing against the reigning champions.
RW - Bukayo Saka
Saka has three goals already at the World Cup, with his latest coming against Senegal. Some saw it was a bold call for Southgate to drop Marcus Rashford after his impressive display against Wales but he was proven right once again.
ST - Harry Kane
Some fans were moaning about Harry Kane not scoring before the Senegal match but the captain got off the mark to double his side’s lead against the Lions of Teranga and silence those critics. His performances as a creator and someone who links play has gone massively under the radar - he executed that role to perfection against Senegal.
LW - Phil Foden
Foden has been lively when playing for the Three Lions in Qatar and has been in excellent form in the last two matches. With a goal and two assists in his most recent appearances, Foden had made himself irreplaceable in the front three and his individual quality will be key in unlocking France’s defence.
