Gary Neville thinks Gareth Southgate will start Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson for England’s round of 16 clash against Senegal at the Qatar World Cup on Sunday.
The former England defender agrees with that possibility because he stated he would be ‘fashionable’ and start Manchester City’s Phil Foden, in front of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, instead.
For England’s 3-0 thumping of Wales – their last Group B game – Henderson was handed a start, alongside Bellingham and Rice.
The West Ham United and Borussia Dortmund duo have started every game, so there’s no reason why that shouldn’t continue against Senegal, it’s just a case of who will be alongside them.
For Gary Neville, he thinks Henderson will get good news today that he will start a knockout game for his country, even if he disagrees, as he told beIN SPORTS (03/12/22 at 9:55 pm).
“If I was being fashionable I would play Rice and Bellingham, then Foden behind,” said Neville.
“He does (Southgate likes having two sitters in midfield), that’s how he played previously. I think it will be more conservative. I think Henderson will play, with Rice and Bellingham.”
HENDERSON SHOULDN’T START
Both Rice and Bellingham play ahead of Henderson, so from that perspective, the Liverpool skipper isn’t needed to start.
England need to be on the front foot, pro-active and look to attack a very athletic and intelligent Senegal side.
If they are to do that, then someone like Foden playing in the middle of the park would be ideal and very helpful, but this is Southgate, so it’s not going to happen.
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