In our view, Gareth Southgate should drop Jordan Henderson for Kalvin Phillips in England’s World Cup quarter-final clash against France.
Henderson out, Phillips in
There is no denying that the Liverpool skipper was a class act against Senegal, with Jude Bellingham telling Josh Denzel on The Lions’ Den show that he was “amazing” on the night.
The 32-year-old opened the scoring for the Three Lions in what was a top display from the ageing midfielder.
However, Kalvin Phillips could perhaps be the perfect player to replace him against Didier Deschamps’ side.
Phillips is a better passer in deeper areas than Henderson
As witnessed against USA and Senegal, Declan Rice struggled to get on the ball in the first phase and dictate the game.
Jude Bellingham endured the same issues against Greg Berhalter’s men.
However, the pair remain virtually undroppable, with Rice being elite from a defensive sense and Bellingham being his nation’s standout player in Qatar.
The odd one out remains Henderson, with Phillips perhaps being England’s best midfielder on the ball in deepest areas.
The Man City star’s peach of an assist for Marcus Rashford’s strike against Wales perhaps exemplified how he can ping a pass up against a press in the first phase.
While Jordan Henderson is known to be a brilliant passer himself, his game has declined in this sense over the past season and a half.
The ex-Leeds hero’s addition would aid England in build-up, as controlling the tempo of the game will be key to keep a lethal French side at bay.
While sides such as Senegal and the USMNT did not punish the English, Les Bleus certainly would if their current midfield trio fail to keep things ticking under pressure.
And against France, Henderson will operate alongside Rice in a double pivot if Southgate opts for a 4-3-3 for all practical purposes, considering the favourites are expected to dominate the ball for the most part.
Kalvin Phillips is known to do that with aplomb, with his line-breaking passing perhaps being the key factor behind Pep Guardiola earmarking him as his primary midfield signing in the summer.
Henderson just doesn’t have the same engine as the City midfielder anymore
Athletically as well, the 27-year-old is now on a different level to the Reds fan favourite.
As exemplified this season, Henderson’s legs seem to have all but gone as he struggles to keep pace in high-octane affairs, due to his unfortunate string of injuries and age catching up to him.
France are expected to keep England on the backfoot, especially with the pace they boast on the flanks, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Theo Hernandez instantly springing to mind.
Some may argue that with Phillips largely being injured this season, it may be a risk to field him against the current world champions.
While that may be true, pairing the Sky Blues man alongside one of the most athletic midfielders in Rice will ease the physical burden on his shoulders.
With the pair keeping Germany out in tandem to perfection, that understanding will go a long way against arguably the scariest attack in the competition.
Both on and off the ball, Gareth Southgate should perhaps start Jordan Henderson on the bench for Kalvin Phillips against France in their upcoming World Cup encounter against France.
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