Picture Credit: Getty Images
According to reports, England and Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is set to be part of the starting XI against Senegal in the Round of 16 fixture. The game will be played at the Al Bayt Stadium and will decide the team which plays in the second quarterfinal in Qatar. Sky Sports were the first to report regarding this update earlier today.
Saka has had a decent performance so far as he has scored two goals in games during the group stage. He scored twice in England’s opening game against Iran and then put up an average performance against the USA. The Arsenal winger had zero shots on target and managed to create just one chance with a passing accuracy of 79%.
Then in the third game, he was an unused sub where other wingers - Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden scored a combined three goals against Wales. But if the reports hold true, Saka could replace one of these players.
But considering their current form, both Foden and Rashford seem undroppable. Hence Gareth Southgate could opt for playing the Manchester City star playing as the right central midfielder along with Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice in the middle of the park. This would allow Saka to play on the right wing and Rashford on the left.
England’s all-time top-scorer Wayne Rooney also has a similar belief as wants Southgate to play the two Manchester boys in the playing XI. While talking about the game in his Times column, Rooney wrote, "Me? I would stick with the side that beat Wales and keep Rashford and Foden in. Foden gives you better control and helps you play a lot more and you could see Rashford’s confidence grow after his goals against the Welsh. Confidence is the key with him."
If England managed to beat Senegal at the Al Bayt Stadium, they will be playing the winner of the game between Poland and France. If the Three Lions manage to win their quarterfinal matchup, they could face Morocco or Spain or Portugal or Switzerland.
England 's potential route to the World Cup final
Round of 16 - Sunday, December 4
England vs Senegal
Quarter-finals - Saturday, December 10
England vs France or Poland
Semi-finals - Wednesday, December 14
England vs Morocco/Spain/Portugal/Switzerland
