England are through to the last 16 of the World Cup, but, as ever, they haven’t got through without a bit of drama.
England only just managed to get past DR Congo. The Three Lions were 1-0 down for large periods of the game, and it took a wonder goal from Harry Kane to win it in the end.
Tougher tests await England in the latter stages, and there are a number of questions for Thomas Tuchel to answer heading into a clash against Mexico.
Speaking on The Rest is Football, Gary Lineker has been discussing England’s recent performances, and he highlighted one issue in the team – the midfield.
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Gary Lineker says England’s midfield balance is wrong
Lineker spoke about how England are lining up in midfield, claiming that the balance isn’t right.
In fact, the pundit described England’s midfield as ‘all over the shop’, claiming that he thinks Elliot Anderson is being used incorrectly in a holding midfield role.
“He might think about his midfield a little bit more because at the moment, it’s a little bit all over the shop, because I’m not sure Anderson is a holder really,” Lineker said.
“I think Bellingham is obviously a bomber and he’s playing at 10, he’s all over the place. Rice is a runner up and down, and I just wonder whether he might, I mean, the interesting thing for me is, I like Declan Rice as a fullback option. You could then play Anderson and Mainoo, which will give you a much more steady midfield, and you can play Bellingham as a free role.”
It has to be said that England’s midfield has looked more than a bit disjointed.
Anderson hasn’t had any level of freedom in the middle of the park, while Declan Rice has been rather poor, albeit he is carrying an injury.
Jude Bellingham has had some brilliant moments, but, as Lineker says, he perhaps needs more of a free role rather than playing as a number 10.
Thomas Tuchel needs to solve this problem quickly if England are to win the World Cup.
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