sport news Foden or Saka? Sportsmail's experts debate the BIG issues ahead of England's ... trends now
England's second-half goal flurry against Wales sealed an important 3-0 win on Tuesday, as Gareth Southgate's side topped Group B to advance into the World Cup knockouts in pole position.
Their prize? A last 16 clash on Sunday with Group A runners-up Senegal, who edged past Ecuador in a narrow 2-1 victory thanks to Kalidou Koulibaly's match-winning volley midway through the second-half.
Having shuffled the pack against Wales, Southgate has plenty to chew over ahead of his team selection on Sunday, and Sportsmail's experts CHRIS SUTTON, MARTIN KEOWN, SAMI MOKBEL and IAN LADYMAN have drilled into all the big talking points.
Marcus Rashford scored twice in the second-half to help England beat Wales 2-0 on Tuesday
Stick with Rashford or go for Raheem? Saka back or faith in Foden?
CHRIS SUTTON: I don’t know about you boys, but I keep flip-flopping. One minute, I’m tempted to find a tattooist who can ink ‘It’s coming home’ on my forehead. The next, I’m reminding myself England were only so good because Wales were so bad!
Marcus Rashford scored twice and that is three goals in 107 minutes from him at this World Cup now. Southgate cannot return to Raheem Sterling. Not after Rashford’s performance against Wales.
IAN LADYMAN: I agree, Chris. Rashford has to play against Senegal. He is England’s form player of the tournament and we should look to harness that.
MARTIN KEOWN: England’s options on the left flank do not stop with Rashford and Sterling, though. We have got Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, too.
Foden looked inspired when he swapped with Rashford and moved from the right to the left against Wales. The City left-footer looks comfortable there and although the question is Rashford or Sterling, I’d be tempted to start Foden on that side against Senegal.
His craft and directness might be needed. It’s a difficult decision for Southgate but a nice problem to have!
Phil Foden impressed on his chance in the starting line-up with a well-taken goal against Wales
LADYMAN: It is but Bukayo Saka scored twice against Iran and rarely lets England down. So, he gets back in my team with Foden as an impact sub.
KEOWN: I’d go Foden on the left and Saka on the right, such was his performance against Iran. It’s tough on Rashford. But he is a strong option as a substitute. He will get minutes. Few nations at this World Cup have as many options as England. Like I said, a nice problem.
SUTTON: Saka or Foden is tough. I wouldn’t change the team from the Wales win. You don’t start faffing around when it comes to knockout football. I’d have Rashford on the left — his favourite position — and Foden on the right. It worked well when they swapped wings so if it isn’t working against Senegal, we can try that again.
SAMI MOKBEL: Rashford, Sterling and Foden could all play if Foden is at No 10 and Jude Bellingham drops back next to Declan Rice.
Does it matter that Kane hasn’t scored?
SUTTON: In a word? Nope.
KEOWN: It will matter to Harry, though. Goals are like oxygen for Kane. He will be struggling to breathe until he gets a goal. But then this is a movie we have seen before. Kane didn’t get a goal in the group stages of Euro 2020. Then he scored against Germany in the last 16, Ukraine in the quarters and Denmark in the semis.
Sometimes I’d like to see Kane stay higher up the pitch. But it isn’t as if England’s striker has not been contributing. Some of his assists have been reminiscent of David Beckham. That low cross for Foden was sublime.
Reigning World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane has yet to score in the Qatar tournament
SUTTON: As was the cross for Sterling against Iran, and his set-up for Rashford in the same game. He is essential to England’s play. He is undroppable.
LADYMAN: If there is one thing about England that doesn’t bother me, it is this. Kane remains England’s most important player, the one who would get into every other team at this World Cup.
He doesn’t need to score to be effective. His presence on the team sheet unnerves opponents and his presence on the pitch attracts men to him and leaves space elsewhere for others. And he will score soon enough. He just will. Because he always does.
MOKBEL: It would be a far bigger problem if others weren’t chipping in. Kane is a goalscorer and it will irk him that he isn’t off the mark. But I agree, he will score here — it’s just a matter of time.
One thing England must do better against Senegal?
MOKBEL: Start the game with a quicker tempo. They were slow out of the traps in the goalless draw against the USA and the first half of the win over Wales was like a pre-season game at times. Tensions will rise the longer the match goes without goals. A faster start from England will ease those anxieties.
LADYMAN: I agree. We must produce a 90-minute performance and we must create more chances. The win against Wales was exactly what we needed but it came against weak opposition playing with no belief.
Senegal will not be that. England need their best performance arguably since their semi-final
