Paul Merson has made it clear that Arsenal and Chelsea duo Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling should start England’s last-16 encounter against Senegal at the Qatar World Cup on Sunday.
The TV pundit stated how someone like Sterling ‘doesn’t let you down’ and questioned why Arsenal’s Hale-End star, Saka, should be benched for Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford.
Against Wales, Rashford netted a brace, added to his goal from the bench against Iran, and many feel he should keep his place in Gareth Southgate’s XI.
Whoever Southgate drops, they would have done something of note during this tournament because near-on every attacking player has been involved in some sort of goal in Doha.
So, from that perspective, whoever he selects will be in form, it’s just a case of what balance he goes with. Well, Merson made it clear he should stick with how he started the tournament, as he told Sky Sports News.
“It was only a week ago he was picking his best team and that was Saka and Sterling,” said Merson. “Sterling, for me, is his go-to man. I know he’s a bit out-of-form, but he doesn’t let you down and gets big goals.
“I think he will go back to them two. Put it into perspective who we were playing, seriously. I mean Wales. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went completely back to the team that played against Iran, with Walker coming in for Trippier, and Trippier would be bang unlucky. But Walker will have to play.
“I think he could even bring Mount back in. I think if Mount plays, then Kane can play further up the pitch, with Mount he plays on the half-turn and he quickly gets the ball out of his feet. Always gets the ball forward. Never messes about. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went back to his Iran team, instead of Walker for Trippier.
On starting Rashford: “What about Saka? They (Sterling and Saka) scored three goals (between them) in the first game. In the second game, everybody played poorly, so you are just going to pick out Saka and Sterling by saying ‘it was your fault against the USA’. Sterling doesn’t let you down. He is a Maguire, at the moment. He’s a big-game player.”
ENGLAND V SENEGAL
On paper, whatever players Southgate goes with, they should do the job from an attacking sense because of the depth in quality he can pick from.
It’s just a case of keeping that clean sheet, but most importantly, being on the front foot and being pro-active during the game.
If the Three Lions go at Senegal’s throats from the get-go, then they should book their quarter-final ticket.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
