Carragher wants three England changes after ‘illogical’ choice
Jamie Carragher has described Gareth Southgate’s selection of Raheem Sterling alongside Harry Kane as an ‘illogical’ choice.
The former England defender has described three changes he wants to see ahead of England’s clash with Panama on Sunday; he has clearly forgotten that England were initially very good against Tunisia.
Carragher wants to see Sterling replaced by Marcus Rashford, who made a cameo appearance in England’s win over Tunisia on Monday night.
‘England’s system does not suit Sterling – or certainly not in the position he is currently occupying. It is designed to enable Southgate to select more attack-minded, technical players with the added protection of three centre-backs and a holding midfielder,’ Carragher writes in his Daily Telegraph column.
‘Yet against Tunisia, even in the first half when England were at their best, Sterling was being pushed so far forward he was effectively alongside Harry Kane as a second striker.
‘He can play the deeper role of a number ten well – four years ago he was outstanding in the position despite England’s loss to Italy – but Dele Alli and Jesse Lingard are so far advanced they are taking up the space Sterling would want to be.
‘At the moment, England are effectively playing with three number 10s, even though none of them are what you would describe as the classic versions of this position. All rely on their movement and pace rather than ability to open up defences with a cute pass. It makes Sterling’s inclusion slightly illogical.
‘If Southgate persists with Sterling in this role, can he really trust him to provide the goals? Can he really take the recent goal form at Manchester City onto the international stage? It does not help if he is not playing in the position from which he struck those goals.’
Carragher also suggests that Ruben Loftus-Cheek should play ahead of the injured Dele Alli and Danny Rose should replace Ashley Young at left wing-back because he is left-footed.