Ian Wright believes that Gareth Southgate should select Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho to start alongside Harry Kane for the Euro 2020 opener against Croatia as the England boss deliberates ahead of the curtain-raiser.
While all focus has been on the right back conundrum in recent weeks, Southgate must decide who will accompany the England captain up front with the Three Lions blessed with an array of attacking quality.
Southgate has selected no fewer than eight attackers, with Foden, Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka expected to operate on the flanks.
And ITV pundits Wright, Roy Keane and Eni Aluko have weighed in on the debate, with all three concurring that Man City hotshot Foden and Dortmund youngster Sancho should start against Croatia on June 13.
‘I would probably go with Foden and Sancho as well with Sterling and Rashford backing them up,’ Wright said ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against Austria.
‘It’s not a bad thing for Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling to come off the bench with the way the season has ended for them.
‘One goal in 17 for Rashford and one in 16 for Raheem. Them coming in they might build into it more rather than starting with all the pressure on them.’
Keane agreed, but added that Southgate may stick with Rashford or Sterling out of ‘loyalty’ to the two stars.
‘If you’re going on form at the moment Foden has to play, Sancho is doing well. But I think Gareth, bit of loyalty in the game will still look at Sterling or Rashford to be in the starting eleven.
‘Gareth has always gone back to these lads, they have never let him down before. Difficult decision but form Foden has to be involved, has to be.’
Meanwhile, former England international Aluko said that the Three Lions need pace up top if Foden and Kane starts, adding that Sancho currently edges the race to start.
‘I think Foden has to play but you need some pace around Kane,’ she said. ‘It’s either got to be Sterling or Sancho for me, Sancho edges it for me because Sterling hasn’t been on form but again an embarrassment of riches for Southgate up front.’
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