Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Gareth Southgate to start Arsenal star Bukayo Saka on the right for England, ahead of Monday’s clash against Iran. The Three Lions begin their World Cup campaign at 1pm, at the Khalifa Int. Stadium.
With Southgate set to pick his first XI to represent England in Qatar ahead of this afternoon’s clash, reports are emerging over his starting line-up. The Mail say Saka is expected to get the nod over Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
Harry Maguire is also likely to start at centre-back, but Southgate has confirmed that Monday’s outing will come too soon for James Maddison and Kyle Walker. Saka has been in superb form for Premier League leaders Arsenal this term.
Indeed, the 21-year-old has had a hand in 11 goals during his 20 appearances – scoring five and laying on six assists. Luke Shaw said he has been impressed with his form in training, during his appearance on the Lions Den recently.
“Saka is probably my first name on the team sheet. I love the way he plays, attacking, run at players, score goals. for me, he has to start on that right-hand side,” Agbonlahor told TalkSPORT on Monday (9:10AM), regarding Saka.
Agbonlahor has urged Southgate to start Arsenal star
He deserves it. But the question mark is, who deserves to start alongside Harry Kane and Saka in a front three? It is expected that England will play a back four. So, it might be Mason Mount plays, but more as a no.8.
Declan Rice holding, Bellingham and Mount either side of the West Ham skipper as box-to-box midfielders. Saka on the right, Kane up top. But who, out of Raheem Sterling or Phil Foden, will start? The chances are, Sterling gets the nod.
He has done so well for England and while his form at Chelsea has been inconsistent so far, surely his England experience will see him start. Foden has been superb for City this term, but his England form is not as good.
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