John Terry has stated that he would start Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier for England’s opening FIFA 2022 World Cup game against Iran on Monday.
The Chelsea legend stated that he doesn’t like a back three, but he can understand why Gareth Southgate chooses to deploy that formation on occasions.
During England’s most-recent international fixtures, their UEFA Nations League games against Germany and Italy, a back three was used during those matches.
But they were far more difficult games, and whilst this is now the World Cup stage, there’s no reason why England can’t play a back four and produce the goods against a much-lesser side in Iran.
Either way, Terry backed Trippier to start for his country given his form on the domestic stage, as he added that West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is ‘so good’ that he can play the defensive midfield role on his own, as he told beIN SPORTS (20/11/22 at 6:45 pm).
“At right-back? I would play Trippier,” said Terry. “I wouldn’t go three at the back. I personally don’t like three at the back.
“I can see why he goes with three. The thing that disappoints me is the two in front of that. I think Declan Rice is so good. I think he can play that position on his own.”
TRIPPIER PLAYING HIS BEST FOOTBALL
At 32, Trippier is playing the best football of his career and he could even argue, since his January transfer to Newcastle, he has taken his game to the next level.
Both on and off the field, he has been outstanding for Newcastle, and that’s why Eddie Howe’s side are flying high and sitting in the Champions League places.
Either way, with Kyle Walker still returning from injury, it will be interesting to see how and if he is brought back when he returns back to action.
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