Alan Shearer thinks Chelsea’s Mason Mount has to start for England in the opening game of the World Cup.
Mount, along with club teammates Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher, was named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad yesterday.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder will be travelling to Qatar next week as part of a strong group fancied to do well in the tournament.
He’s got 32 senior England caps and played regularly at the Euros last summer, but it’ll be a special occasion for him at his first ever World Cup.
Mount to start for England
Shearer has selected Mount in his England starting XI to face Iran in their World Cup opener in Group B.
When picking England’s starting line-up, Shearer told LADbible: “For the Iran game, I have to agree with Mount in there. I like who he is. I like what he can offer.”
Incidentally, he left out Sterling when choosing the team Southgate should pick against Iran.
Mount’s place in the England squad never seemed in doubt for most people, but whether he starts in Qatar is a totally different conversation.
Chelsea’s talent isn’t in the same kind of club form as some of his England rivals, so you wouldn’t mark him as a banker in Southgate’s team.
However, he’s proven in the past couple of years that he’s a real favourite for the Three Lions manager.
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