sport news England enjoy a secret Robbie Williams gig as Gareth Southgate orders his team ... trends now
In the spirit of pop star Robbie Williams, the England manager Gareth Southgate wants his players to entertain us when they face France in Saturday's do-or-die World Cup quarter-final.
England were treated to a private concert by former Take That member Williams at their hotel in Al Wakrah on Wednesday night. And Southgate wants his players to be upbeat and high tempo, too, as he sticks with the attacking 4-3-3 formation that has served him well throughout the tournament.
In the past, the England boss has used a back five against elite football nations. But England are the joint top scorers in the tournament with Portugal on 12 goals. And despite the daunting prospect of facing France — and star forward Kylian Mbappe — Southgate wants his players to be bold.
England were treated to a private concert from popstar Robbie Williams on Wednesday night
Gareth Southgate has promised England will play on the front foot in their clash with France
To add to the good mood music in the camp, key midfielder Declan Rice returned to training yesterday after illness and Raheem Sterling is heading back to Qatar. The Chelsea forward had flown back to England following a break-in at his Surrey home.
Defender Kyle Walker and midfielder Kalvin Phillips have indicated this week that England will stick with a back four, making room for an extra attacker in the line-up.
And Rice's recovery means Southgate has the ideal midfield player to screen his four-man defence. Rice, who missed training on Wednesday, returned to the team's training HQ yesterday to ease concerns he would miss Saturday's match.
Provided there is no adverse reaction overnight, the West Ham man should take part in Friday's final session before the crunch quarter-final against Didier Deschamps' side.
Asked about the prospect of replacing Rice in the England XI, Phillips said: 'I believe Dec is
