Paul Merson has made it clear that Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold needs to start for England against Iran on Monday at the 2022 FIFA World Cup because he is ‘the best passer in the country’, as he told Sky Sports.
Gareth Southgate’s side open their World Cup campaign in Qatar and Merson also added that he would start Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka in a front three.
Certain names just put themselves on the team sheet and England captain Harry Kane will be one of them, but who joins him?
Alexander-Arnold might have dazzled on the domestic stage over the years, but it’s never happened for him in England colours, whilst Saka has had some success.
Either way, Merson is starting both of those players for England against Iran as they look to start off their Group B campaign with three points.
“I have to play Trent Alexander-Arnold, he is the best passer in the country,” said Merson. “I haven’t put Foden in. I just think it’s one of them games where it’s tight.
“I watched Saka against Wolves last week and I didn’t see him run beyond once. Not one single time. I think we have to keep the ball.
“Foden should play instead of Sterling. He is bang out of form. But again, he never lets England down, so he is going to go with his tried and tested.”
SETTING THE MARKER
On paper, it should be three points on the board for England, if it was a typical international match, then they probably would breeze through.
But it’s one thing playing a typical International game and it’s another trying to get through a pressure-cooker World Cup match.
If England secure the points here, then they will set themselves up for the much harder group matches against USA and Wales, if not, then it’s going to be a long tournament.
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