- The Premier League trio will start in midfield against North Macedonia tonight
- Captain Harry Kane will be rested as Ollie Watkins starts up front for England
- It’s the world against Everton – it could encourage the players to stay up – IAKO
England will test a revamped midfield against North Macedonia this evening, featuring Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice and Phil Foden.
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate has previously been criticized for his preference for a more defensive midfield, but will take the handbrake off tonight.
Meanwhile, England captain Harry Kane will be rested for the European Championship qualifier, with Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins starting first.
Victory tonight will see England top their qualifying group – having already qualified for next year’s European Championship – which will give them a more favorable draw for the group stage in the competition.
Southgate will want to ensure his side produce a more inspired performance than their drab win over Malta last week and test a midfield with more creativity.
England will test a revamped midfield against North Macedonia this evening, featuring Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden
Arsenal’s Declan Rice (pictured) starts alongside Alexander-Arnold and Foden in midfield
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Liverpool vice-captain Alexander-Arnold will start his second straight game in the English midfield and will hope Foden’s extra flair alongside him will create more chances than they did against Malta.
Foden is usually deployed as a winger in the national team’s setup, but played part of last week’s match in midfield and will be tasked with doing the same tonight.
Arsenal star Rice will be tasked with acting as the more defensive midfielder of the trio, as he often does for both club and country.
The unusual midfield line-up means Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips will most likely start on the bench, while Man City youngster Rico Lewis – who can play in midfield or defense – will be hoping to make his England debut.
Regardless of tonight’s performance, it is extremely unlikely that this will be Southgate’s midfield of choice for the Euros given the temporary absence of Jude Bellingham.
The Real Madrid superstar has cemented his place in England’s midfield and will almost certainly start in the competition. He left the current Three Lions squad early due to injury.
England manager Gareth Southgate has opted for a new midfield against North Macedonia
England captain Harry Kane (left) has been rested this evening while Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins (right) starts up front
However, Alexander-Arnold, Foden and Rice will be looking to prove themselves as the best midfield partner for Bellingham and can stake a claim tonight.
The same can be said for Watkins, who has been given the honor of taking charge for England against North Macedonia in just his ninth senior appearance.
Watkins has played for Villa in the Premier League this season, scoring six goals in 12 top-flight appearances for Unai Emery’s side.
The 27-year-old is widely seen as the back-up act for Kane, with the England captain one of the most clinical forwards in world football.