Gary Neville says there is now ‘real pressure’ on Arsenal and Chelsea duo, Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling, and their places in England’s starting XI for the knockout stages of the Qatar World Cup.
After Marcus Rashford’s brace against Wales, including his goal from the bench against Iran, Neville thinks the Manchester United forward needs to start England’s last-16 tie against Senegal on Sunday, as he told ITV Sport.
If Rashford does start, with Tottenham’s Harry Kane leading the line, then it leaves Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden fighting for that one spot.
Out of the three, Foden and Saka have looked like the better players, not only in the Middle East, but their form in the Premier League also, in comparison to Sterling.
But the Chelsea man has been there and done it before, so perhaps those brownie points will work in his favour, as Neville shared what he would do.
“Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden had a great night,” said Neville. “There is real pressure on Saka and Sterling for Gareth Southgate now in his decisions.
“I think Gareth would have gone with an open mind that Saka and Sterling come back in. I mean Rashford stays in.
“It’s that Sterling, Saka and Foden conundrum. I personally would stick with Foden.
“But I couldn’t say that Raheem or Saka doesn’t deserve to play either because they are both talented. But I would personally stick with that two that played against Wales.”
ENGLAND HAVE ENOUGH
Whether it’s Saka, Sterling, Rashford or Foden, or even Gareth Southgate losing it and putting all of them on the pitch, England should still have enough to see off Senegal.
The only issue is his lack of pro-active nature. If it goes wrong at the start, is he quick enough and brave enough to make that attacking change?
When push comes to shove, he hasn’t shown those signs before and he is going to be tested properly for the first time against the champions of Africa.
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