Sam Allardyce has stated that he would start Callum Wilson over Harry Kane in England's final World Cup Group B clash against Wales. Despite the disappointment of drawing on Friday evening with the United States, Gareth Southgate's side are still in an excellent position to progress and they would only miss out on a place in the knockout round in unthinkable circumstances.
The Three Lions would have to lose by four goals against Wales at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, with Iran also needing to beat the United States for England to exit the competition. As Southgate's men look set to be in the Round of 16 unless a huge shock takes place later on Tuesday evening, many have called for the manager to rotate his starting XI.
Amid concerns over Kane after he sustained a knock to his foot in their opener against Iran, the striker, who has yet to score in the competition, has been a big talking point ahead of the Wales game. With Wilson and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford options to come in for him, Allardyce has admitted that he would plump for the in-form Newcastle striker over the England captain against Wales.
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"I would rest Harry Kane against Wales," the former England manager told William Hill and Footy Accumulators’ No Tippy Tappy Football. "My opinion is if you’ve got a squad where the individuals are equally as good as each other, and Callum Wilson at the moment is playing out of his skin at Newcastle and scoring goals, then you can play him.
"Phil Foden, arguably, who’s better than him that’s playing now? Raheem Sterling? No. Marcus Rashford? He’s playing well but not as good as Foden. Foden scored a hat-trick for Man City against Man United earlier this season and he’s still not playing for England. What more can he do to start?
"I’d play him on the right or the left, coming in off the side. Or you can play him in centre-midfield if you want in a three. I’d start Foden and Callum Wilson against Wales. But Harry Kane will play, there’s no doubt. I’m convinced Gareth will pick him."
So what changes would Allardyce make to the England team for the final group game?
"I’d bring in Trent Alexander-Arnold for Luke Shaw at right-back, with Kieran Trippier playing left-back," he admitted. "I’d bring in Foden for Mason Mount, and then Jack Grealish for Raheem Sterling and Callum Wilson for Harry Kane.
"So Jordan Pickford, Alexander-Arnold, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Trippier, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Foden, Bukayo Saka, Grealish and Wilson. And Harry Maguire as captain.”
Despite all teams in the competition having 26 players to choose from, many opt not to make full use of their huge matchday squad and instead only make a couple of changes here and there if they are to switch things up. Allardyce has opened up on the importance of rotation, especially with Southgate having a very talented England squad at his disposal.
"I’d make those changes if I was in charge because I’d think we could beat Wales comfortably and go on and win the tournament," added Allardyce. "Because I’d have the squad to win it, and I’d have to play the players in the squad to get there.
"I can’t keep on playing the same XI all the way through. You’ve got to be brave. You’ve got to be brave on the touchline as well as be brave with the players, and if you have to disappoint them then they should come back fighting and thinking ‘I’ll show you for leaving me out, and don’t you dare do that again.’
"It’s the best squad we’ve ever had, there’s never been a better time for them to win it with the experience they’ve had from the World Cup and Euros. If they don’t win it now I don’t think they ever will. But they’ve got to use the squad."
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