Jermain Defoe picked Arsenal defender Ben White in England’s starting XI ahead of their World Cup opener against Iran next Monday, but left out Tottenham’s Eric Dier, as he told Match of the Day 2.
The Tottenham academy coach also added Bukayo Saka to play alongside captain Harry Kane in a front three and thinks the Arsenal flyer can ‘cause problems’ with Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
There is a lot of debate raging as to who should start at centre-half for England given that it is the weakest point in their team.
White has probably been the in-form English defender this season, but at right-back, so will Southgate stick to a back four? Or his heavily-used back three?
Well, Defoe has gone for a flat back four with White and Manchester City’s John Stones at the heart of the defence for that opening game against Iran.
“I’ve gone for Pickford in goal, my friend,” laughed Defoe. “Walker, Stones, White and Shaw. Declan Rice, I am going to rest him.
“I am going 4-3-3. Jude Bellingham as a six. Maddison and Mount (in midfield). Then Saka, Kane and Foden.
“I am going for an attacking midfield. I think we are going to dominate the ball. Have more possession. I think, the front three, I want Kane to drop in them pockets and Foden and Saka to run in-behind and cause problems.”
WHITE DESERVES A START
Whether it’s in a back three or in a two, White should be starting in defence for England because it’s not like there are players in that position banging down the door to start.
Not only has Harry Maguire struggled for form and game time this season, but he also produced error-prone performances the last time he donned England colours.
Perhaps White and Stones is the way to go, or if he wants to play a three, then Dier might come into the conversation because that’s exactly what he has been doing at Tottenham this season.
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