Football

World Cup 2022: Pundit says ‘not one single’ Wales player would make England reserve squad

World Cup 2022: Pundit says ‘not one single’ Wales player would make England reserve squad

Former England international Paul Merson says ‘not one single’ Wales player would get into England’s reserve squad.

As reported by Sky Sports, Merson believes England fans must not get carried away after defeating rivals Wales, who finished bottom of Group B in Qatar.

The Three Lions finished top of the standings with two wins and a draw, with one of those wins coming against Wales.

Merson: England cannot get carried away

Merson, who made 21 appearances for England between 1991 and 1998, believes there is a huge gap in quality between the two nations.

Gareth Southgate’s men defeated Wales 3-0 in the final group game, with the former going through to the Round of 16 and the latter going home.

England finished the group stages with nine goals, level at the top of the leaderboard with Spain. Moreover, the Three Lions conceded just two goals.

But pundit Merson believes it is all relative, with the level of competition expected to be raised in the knockout stages.

“Everyone thinks England are going to win the World Cup after beating Wales,” said Merson. “We’re getting majorly carried away. We were getting booed off a few days ago!

“Wales were the worst team in the group. Not one single player in their whole squad would get into England’s. “I’d even go as far as to say that if England had a shadow squad, they wouldn’t get in that either.”

Merson predicts starting XI for Senegal clash

Merson continued by stating that he expects Southgate to switch things up for the Senegal game later today.

Southgate’s plans remain uncertain, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden all vying for a starting role going forward.

“People are losing sight of things,” said Merson. “Let’s not forget who we were playing against and the quality of the opposition.

“To say Rashford and Foden have got to start off the back of the Wales game when Southgate picked his best team against Iran less than a fortnight ago… surely things haven’t changed that dramatically?

“I’d be shocked if Southgate named an unchanged team, and I mean shocked. I don’t think the team will be far off from the one which started against Iran or USA, with Kyle Walker coming in.

“Walker will definitely play. As long as he is fit, he’s the second name on the team sheet.”

England

England handed ‘hardest’ possible last 16 draw

Merson added that England have been handed the most difficult Round of 16 draw. African champions Senegal finished second in Group B, having won two and lost one of their three group matches.

Despite being without the injured Sadio Mane and the suspended Idrissa Gueye, ex-Arsenal and Aston Villa man Merson is expecting a very tricky test.

“This is a hard game,” said Merson. “I would rather have drawn the Netherlands.

“I actually think, of all the top nations left in the tournament, England have got the hardest draw in the last 16 when you compare it to Argentina vs Australia or France vs Poland.

“Senegal will be physical, strong and skilful, and you can bet that Gareth and his players won’t be underestimating them.”


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