Stan Collymore has advised Jordan Henderson to “play a bigger role” for England as the World Cup enters the knockout stages.
The Three Lions, who host Wales at 7pm, will advance to the round of 16 in Qatar if they avoid a 3-0 loss to Rob Page’s side in their final group game.
The Reds captain has been named in the starting XI and is one of four changes from the team that drew 0-0 with the US on Friday.
“I think Gareth Southgate really wanted to give Kyle Walker minutes tonight because I think if we go deeper into the tournament, he might as well go three back and put Walker alongside Maguire and Stones and then have Shaw and Trippier as wings. -backs,” Collymore told CaughtOffside.
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“As for Jordan Henderson. I wonder if he has gotten into his manager’s plans.
“Obviously Rice and Bellingham are the future, but Southgate is a pragmatist, so as long as Henderson can put in the mileage, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him play a more prominent role as the tournament progresses.”
The former Sunderland player makes his debut as a starter in the tournament, as do Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Kyle Walker.
Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham have been Gareth Southgate’s midfield duo of choice so far this tournament, but with the latter deployed in a more advanced role against Wales tonight, the Liverpool captain will be looking to impress in midfield. field and speak in tone.
The 32-year-old is one of the most experienced players on the team and of the 26 players the England manager selected for the tournament, only Harry Kane has played more caps for his nation.
If the 1966 World Cup winners top their respective group, they will face a Sadio Mane-less Senegal in the next round.
Let’s hope for a great performance from Hendo with Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench.
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