Football

World Cup 2022: Southgate has decided on England’s strategy and expected lineup 

After a gap of six days, England resumes their adventures in Qatar. It can be their final outing of the competition, one that Gareth Southgate is thoroughly prepared for. 

Gareth Southgate

It is the eighth meeting between the two continental rivals this century. They have a losing record against them, tasting defeat on four occasions, drawing twice and triumphing just once. 

The mood in the English camp has improved with Southgate at the helm, giving improved performances in competitive circumstances. The former Middlesborough manager has converted them into serial contenders, a far cry from their underachieving results.

They made it to the semi-finals of the last World Cup and the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019. Their tournament experience saw their best result since their 1966 World Cup triumph as they made it to the finals of Euro 2020.

Southgate is now in his sixth year in charge and is well-versed with the task at hand. After earning the 3-0 victory over Senegal, all eyes were set on their quarter-final rivals. The strategy to tackle them was put in place after the available video footage was thoroughly digested. 

It appears that the England boss will continue with an unchanged squad and with a similar formation from the get-go. It will add extra pressure on the wingbacks to deal with the electric Kylian Mbappe but it seems reassurances from Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier have helped him make his decision. 

“We decided [the starting XI] on Monday. We’d already watched by Monday night all the games of France, we’d already reviewed our game from Senegal,” Southgate remarked.

“So we’re very clear on the right path because then you’ve got to deliver that through the week. We’re comfortable with where we’re at.”

Jordan Pickford

Pickford ready for France test

Raheem Sterling was preferred over Phil Foden in the earlier exchanges of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Chelsea winger had to return home after an armed robbery at his residence. His absence allowed Foden to stake his claim in the starting eleven and will start against Les Bleus. 

Everton goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford, is another certainty to start against France. The shot-stopper is putting in extra yards on the training pitch to prepare for all eventualities. 

Pickford does not have any issues with his preparations but admitted the Adidas Al Rihla match ball is difficult to tame. The Pakistan-origin balls are different from the Nike match balls used in the Premier League, something that he is getting used to. 

“The balls are a bit rascal, definitely,” he said. “The balls are a bit different to what I’m used to in the Premier League.

“They are called speed-shells, so there’s your clue. It’s a bit weird really. It is just a slightly different type of ball, a different brand, something you have to readjust to straight away. My kicking distance has still been the same but they’re a bit faster.”

The quarter-final will kick off at 19:00 GMT on December 10. The Al Bayt Stadium will surely be buzzing with excitement as two of Qatar 2022’s favourites fight for continuity in the quadrennial event. 

England predicted XI (4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Henderson, Bellingham; Foden, Saka, Kane.


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