Everyone thought Cameroon would be easy in 1990 and we scraped through. As Senegal are also a West African nation I’m going with the stereotype that they may also be difficult to beat. 2-1 aet.
Pickford
Walker - Stones - Slabhead - Shaw
Foden - Phillips - Bellingham
Rashford - Kane - Sterling
Southgate probably picks Mount. I have a feeling he picks Foden over Saka this time. He definitely picks Rice, although Phillips’ cameo against Wales suggests he is much more comfortable on the ball.
You can make a case for almost any combination up front, depending on loyalty, form, or skill.
I'd fuck the loyalty off, personally. My choice would be the trickier guys up front to make life hard for the big defenders and attract fouls/keep possession. That's how Grealish would get preferred, for me. Yes, Rashford's got 3 goals in the competion but he hasn't been brilliant - his goals have been overhyped, imho.
I don't think it will happen but my front 6 would be Bellingham (as he's still only 17), Rice, Foden, Saka, Kane, Grealish.
I expect Rashford to be in instead of Grealish, but, can you really imagine him leaving out Sterling? No, me neither, so, F knows what he'll pick.
Not an easy choice. Anything is possible, but, I'll be annoyed if Mount comes back in at the expense of any of the above.