Neil Warnock has left Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka out of his England XI for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Instead, he has urged Gareth Southgate to name Phil Foden in his starting line-up.
England head to the first World Cup held in the Middle East in November to challenge Iran, the United States and Wales in Group B. The Three Lions will be trying to build on their run to the semi-finals in Russia four years ago. But Southgate’s side will arrive very out of form.
Southgate has led England’s worst run of results since 1993 after losing three and drawing three of their last six games. Hungary dealt the Three Lions two of their defeats. While a 1-0 loss to Italy also saw England endure relegation to League B of the UEFA Nations League.
Neil Warnock urges Gareth Southgate to change his England XI at the World Cup
England played in a five-at-the-back system against Italy and Germany in September. It has been Southgate’s favoured formation since November 2021 with the 52-year-old including five defenders in seven of his last 10 squads. Yet the Three Lions only won in the first four.
Now, Warnock has urged Southgate to revert permanently to a four-man defence in Qatar. He has also told talkSPORT that he expects a few surprise names in England’s expanded 26-man World Cup squad. Southgate will likely be without some big names through injury.
“I think there’ll be a few [surprises] with the injuries,” Warnock said. “I do like Ben White and I like Dan Burn. I’d probably have them two either side, I’d have a back four. Why not?
“You’ve got nowt to lose now. I know he won’t do that, he’ll stick with loyalty. I’d have [Joe] Gomez and John Stones in the middle with pace and to hell with five-at-the-back.”
Southgate is yet to officially rule out either Kyle Walker or Reece James making England’s World Cup squad. The Daily Mail reports the Three Lions boss hopes the Manchester City and Chelsea right-backs can prove their fitness in time after their groin and knee injuries.
Walker is making solid progress in his recovery from surgery, but James could miss out due to his ligament problem. Arsenal centre-back White can help cover either of the full-backs. Newcastle United’s left-cum-centre-back Burn has never featured for England at any level.
Neil Warnock has no place for Bukayo Saka in Gareth Southgate’s starting line-up
Warnock does not expect any surprises between the posts with Southgate backed to name Jordan Pickford in England’s World Cup XI. The ex-Sheffield United and Cardiff City coach is also inclined to have Raheem Sterling with captain Harry Kane as an undroppable name.
“I’d go with [Jude] Bellingham and [Declan] Rice anchoring,” Warnock continued. “I’d put Mason Mount in as I think he’s got goals in him now. I love watching him play, something can happen every time he gets the ball.
“Then I’d have Kane up front, obviously. Sterling is, for me, reliable and is going to create things. So, I’d have him one side and then the biggest decision would be Saka or Foden? I’d say Saka because I love watching him but do you know, Foden takes some beating.”
Southgate had Saka as a makeshift left-back in England’s five-at-the-back for September’s loss to Italy. Foden, meanwhile, started at the San Siro in the attack with Sterling and Kane. The trio also started together against Germany before Saka replaced Foden off the bench.
Neil Warnock’s England XI for the World Cup in Qatar
(GK): Jordan Pickford
(DEF): Ben White (RB), Joe Gomez (CB), John Stones (CB), Dan Burn (LB)
(MID): Declan Rice (CDM), Mason Mount (CAM), Jude Bellingham (CDM)
(ATT): Phil Foden (RW), Harry Kane (ST), Raheem Sterling (LW)
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