Former Leicester City goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer believes Marcus Rashford should start in England’s opener against Iran at the World Cup.
Assessing the wingers at Gareth Southgate’s disposal
As the Three Lions announced their 26-man squad for the showpiece event via Twitter recently, Marcus Rashford was named alongside wingers such as Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.
However, the Manchester United forward is expected to contend for a spot on the left wing, with the likes of Sterling, Grealish and Foden providing him stiff competition for a berth in the starting XI.
Assessing each of the options’ form, it’s safe to say that Phil Foden, who has scored 7 Premier League goals this season is in the best touch heading into the tournament.
Aside from the 22-year old, Rashford is perhaps playing his best football out of all the left wing options.
However, it is key to remember that Southgate tends to reward those that have performed impressively for him in the past and taking that into consideration, Sterling’s heroics at Euro 2020 may give him the edge over Marcus Rashford.
Schwarzer’s View
On BBC 5 Radio Live, Mark Schwarzer made a case for why the rapid forward should start for Gareth Southgate’s side in their opening clash against Iran at the World Cup.
“Rashford should start for England in their first World Cup game against Iran. If you talk about form in the last couple of months, I would think so”, he said.
Schwarzer continued, “He has probably been one of the more in-form players in the England squad. If you look around that squad, there are quite a few players who haven’t quite been at their best recently.”
While the ex-Australian international certainly makes a strong case for Rashford’s inclusion against Iran, it is likely that Southgate maintains his faith in a more trusted performer for him in Sterling.
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