'Wouldn't surprise me': Gary Neville predicts Chelsea player will start next England game, he would do the opposite
Gary Neville predicts Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling will start for England this Sunday against Senegal at the World Cup.
Gareth Southgate’s side qualified as Group B winners in the World Cup tournament, so now know they’ll face Senegal in the last-16 tie at the weekend.
England scored nine goals in their three group stage matches, with so many different attackers impressing.
Sterling, who started the first opening two games, scored a smart volley in the 6-2 victory against Iran.
He watched from the bench England teammates Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden both score earlier this week against Wales, though.
Southgate has a real headache on his team selection when it comes to picking his starting wide players, especially when you throw Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish into the mix as well.
Neville predicts Sterling will start against Senegal
Sky Sports pundit Neville is tipping Southgate to name Sterling in the England XI on Sunday.
“He loves Raheem. It wouldn’t surprise me if he went back to Raheem, with Foden and Saka as first subs,” Neville said.
However, Neville admitted he would go the opposite way. He said earlier this week he would stick with Foden and Rashford in the England side, leaving Sterling on the bench.
Sterling is going to be desperate to be back in the line-up on Sunday as England’s World Cup tournament reaches the knockout phase.
Aged 27, he’s actually the individual in the Three Lions squad with more experience than anyone else. Therefore, it wouldn’t be a real surprise if Southgate turns to him against Senegal.
Alternatively, having a player with the quality and pace of Sterling to bring from the bench would be a huge weapon.
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