Former England captain John Terry says Gareth Southgate’s players have given him a major selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s showdown with Senegal.
Southgate made four changes for England’s 3-0 win over Wales, with goalscorers Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden coming into the starting XI their chances of starting against Senegal.
Ex- Chelsea defender Terry said Rashford and Foden’s performances showed England's formidable strength in depth - but claimed they have also left Southgate with much to ponder. “Rashford scored two goals and Foden started the game and scored, which was a real positive,” said Terry. “I said before the tournament that Phil could be a big, big player for us in this World Cup, and now it causes the manager problems.
“It will be interesting to see his next line-up, when we play Senegal, because the players have given the manager a problem. When you’ve got such a good group of players, it’s important to know that, for example, Harry Kane, if you’re not playing well, there are other players who can come in.
“Rashford can come in and replace you. If Foden isn’t playing well, you will be replaced. If Mason Mount doesn’t play well, you will be replaced. When you have that competitiveness within the group, it’s also great, because these players now feel part of it.”
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Terry said England’s convincing win over Wales, after the tough 0-0 draw against USA, was just what Southgate and his players needed ahead of the knockout stage.
“It was free-flowing against Wales, which is what I want to see from this team,” Terry added. “We have so much quality and it was important we got fresh players on the pitch. Kyle Walker needed the minutes to play, Kane came off and other players came on.”
