%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
Almost a week on from the World Cup's opening game at the Azteca, England's campaign will finally get underway. The Three Lions begin their quest to end 60 years of hurt against Croatia at AT&T Stadium, looking to get three points on the board, with fixtures against Ghana and Panama to come. Thomas Tuchel's starting lineup, for the most part, appears settled, with a few spots up for grabs, so who is likely to be in his starting XI for this opener in Arlington?
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Underlined by the fact the two deputies Dean Henderson and James Trafford have just seven caps between them, Jordan Pickford is the undisputed number one. The Everton shot-stopper now has 84 caps to his name, starting all 26 major tournament matches since his competitive debut eight years ago, a streak that will continue in Dallas.
Right-back: Reece James
Not so long ago, it felt as though England could name an entire 26-man squad of right-backs. However, there has been a a changing of the guard ahead of this tournament. Both Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier have recently retired from international football, while Trent Alexander-Arnold was controversially not called up. Meantime, Tino Livramento withdrew from the squad with a calf injury on Tuesday, while Arsenal's Benjamin White is also sidelined long-term too.
This is all to say that, fitness permitting, Reece James will be an integral figure for Tuchel this summer. His minutes, as always, must be carefully managed, but expect James to start all the key matches.
Centre-backs: Ezri Konsa and John Stones
It will be two from three at centre-back, so who will Tuchel go for? Manchester City duo John Stones and Marc Guéhi started the first warm-up friendly against New Zealand, before Ezri Konsa partnered Stones against Costa Rica a week ago. Considering Konsa started six of the eight qualifiers, he is clearly a player Tuchel appreciates, meaning the Aston Villa man is forecast to keep his spot.
Left-back: Nico O'Reilly
With neither Lewis Hall nor Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly having made the cut, it appears pretty set in stone that Nico O'Reilly will be the first-choice this summer. This is despite the fact that the 21 year old has only 5 caps to his name, debuting as recently as November. Nevertheless, O'Reilly was outstanding for Manchester City last season, as Arsenal fans will remember from March's Carabao Cup Final, scoring both goals at Wembley, something we all wish we could eradicate from our memories.
Midfield: Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice
If England are going to make a deep run at this World Cup, potentially go all the way, this midfield pairing will be key to their hopes. Both almost played for different national teams. Declan Rice won three senior caps for Ireland, featuring in friendly against Türkiye, France and USA, while Elliot Anderson had one training session with Scotland, before quickly changing his mind.
In England colours, Anderson's debut came against Andorra just last September, but he has started seven of ten matches since then, cementing himself as a vital figure for Tuchel. His main task is to get the best out of Rice, who will earn his 74th England cap in Texas; a surprisingly high tally. Since his own debut against Czechia seven years ago, Rice has missed only 18 of 91 internationals, scoring his seventh goal at Inter&Co Stadium last Wednesday. Thus, the Arsenal man will be pivotal to how England player both in and out of possession, something all Gooners will be familiar with.
Attacking trio: Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon
These three spots in-behind the centre-forward are the places in the England starting lineup most up for grabs. On the left-flank, Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford started a warm-up game each, and it is not yet clear if Tuchel will select the man who has just joined Barcelona, or the player who has recently departed Catalonia.
Through the middle, Morgan Rogers has been Tuchel's man, starting five of the eight qualifiers, scoring his first international goal against Wales at Wembley in October. However, after he got the nod in Orlando, it seems as though Jude Bellingham is going to be the number ten for now.
Lastly, the identity of England's right-winger will be of most interest to Arsenal fans. It is a scenario Gooners will be well versed in. Bukayo Saka is continuing to nurse an Achilles issue, albeit he was fit enough for a half an hour cameo last mid-week. If available, as is the case for Mikel Arteta, Saka will be Tuchel's starter. If not, Noni Madueke will be tasked to deputise, a role he is very much accustom to, having performed it for the Premier League champions throughout the most-recent campaign.
Centre-forward: Harry Kane
Last, but by no means least, this England team is constructed to get the best out of Harry Kane, which appears a pretty salient and sensible strategy. His header at Raymond James Stadium 11 days ago took his tally to 79 for England, of which eight came during qualifying. Only nine men have scored more goals for any nation, with Ferenc Puskás (84) the next legend in his sights.
At club level meantime, Kane scored a staggering 61 goals for Bayern Munich last season, concluding the campaign with a hat-trick in the DFB-Pokal Final, thereby averaging a goal every 66 minutes overall. Thus, after Kylian Mbappé, Erling Braut Håland and Lionel Messi all starred for their nations on Tuesday, it is now Kane's turn to make a statement.
Add us as a preferred source on Google