Former England international Wayne Rooney has offered his thoughts on the starting XI he thinks Gareth Southgate should pick for the Three Lions World Cup last-16 clash with Senegal. Arguably the largest dilemma the England boss faces is over who starts either side of Harry Kane, with all four who received an opportunity in the group stages scoring at the tournament.
Chelsea star Raheem Sterling and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka were the duo deployed by Southgate in the opening two fixtures. Both impressed and were on the scoresheet against Iran which then in turn saw them also start England's second group game against the USA.
After a rather drab attacking display though, Southgate made the decision to ring the changes for the final group game fixture against Wales. Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden were two notable inclusions and both were able to find the back of the net in a 3-0 win that saw England top Group B.
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Southgate now faces an extremely tough decision over who he decides to select on the wings against Senegal, with Foden, Rashford, Sterling and Saka all proving what they can do if selected from the start.
Alongside five others, including Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, Rashford has three goals which makes him joint-top scorer at the tournament, and while that stat would indicate he should start given his form, Sterling was England's talisman at Euro 2020 and is a player Southgate trusts.
On the opposite wing, clamours for Foden to start against Wales were enormous, but Saka's brace against Iran and blistering form for Arsenal may see him return to the starting XI.
England's all-time record goal scorer Wayne Rooney has provided Southgate with some advice for his upcoming crucial selection decision, although, as he says in The Times, he expects one of Sterling or Saka to be recalled, but that he personally would leave out both.
"It wouldn’t surprise me if Gareth brought back Sterling or Bukayo Saka, and maybe even both," he said. I think he will leave either Foden or Marcus Rashford out and will be keen to use Sterling because he knows and trusts Raheem more than any of the other wide forwards.
"Me? I would stick with the side that beat Wales and keep Rashford and Foden. Foden gives you better control and helps you a lot more and you could see Rashford's confidence grow after his goals against the Welsh. Confidence is key with him."
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