Christmas Day is just over two weeks away but Saturday 10th December 2022 is when all English football fans want their present early, a win over defending champions France. Winning the quarter final will not guarantee a World Cup triumph but losing means you cannot lift the trophy either! The route to the final is harder than four years ago but this current Three Lions squad are so much more talented and proven it so far in Qatar. During his tenure in charge Gareth Southgate has always strived towards game elite management, this tournament England have mixed that mindset with explosive clinical attacking when needed. All the conversations this week has centred around Kyle Walker stopping Kylian Mbappe but this match is about so much more.
The pitch within the Al Bayt Stadium will be littered with Champions League players but three of Englands expected starters have never taken part in the worlds elite cup competition and all hold key roles:
Jordan Pickford – The Everton keeper has not has much to do so far this tournament, of course this will change on Saturday night. How he deals with the pressure within the moment is extremely important, at times in his career he’s got too carried away, every minute of his footballing career till this point needs to be drawn upon so he can perform at his utmost.
Declan Rice – The West Ham captain is the glue within Englands midfield and on his way to becoming one of Europe’s best number sixes, his moments in possession need to be brave but most importantly tactically he has to be astute. Greizman will be looking to pick up the ball in Rices area of the field, when this happens Declan’s physicality has to be expressed onto the Frenchman without crossing the line.
Bukayo Saka – Star boy has been blistering so far this tournament and with Mbappe playing on his side of the pitch he will be looked upon to support Walker in defence along with running past Harry Kane to score or assist goals. Fernandez loves to bomb on supporting Frances star man but he’s not faced a winger like Saka, the young Arsenal man needs to keep him honest.
The support from the bench has mainly been the same players but two men could see their first tournament minutes if the game script flows a certain way, they being James Maddison and Conor Gallagher. If the game goes into extra time, Chelsea man Gallagher is a ideal refresh for Bellingham while Maddison would be looked on as a ideal dead ball threat. Raheem Sterling is used to starting games for Gareth Southgate but as his form has dipped others have thrived in Qatar but it would be fitting after his personal turmoil this last week that he played a big part towards victory, sticking it to the scum who burgled his home.
The French media are pinpointing Harry Maguire as the weak link, they possibly are right but his strength attacking offensive corners could be their downfall, no one within Deschamps team can compete with the United man. We will game plan that neither centre back gets left exposed one on one, if it does occur you will find me with my head in my hands as that’s the major fear factor.
France are a excellent side but so is England, small margins will decide this encounter and I truly believe if you played this fixture ten times in a row you would never get a identical score line/match winner. It will not surprise me how this turns out, all I ask is for premium commitment from Harry Kanes troops, us fans back home will be in our support!
#itscominghome
