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ENGLAND TEAM REVEALED – My take on a week of disruption in Russia plus analysis of team news

By Ollie Slack

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England can qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup with a win over Panama this lunchtime. But after the apparent lineup being leaked this week, who will start the crucial Group G match?

England’s camp has been very calm and relaxed so far. But this week saw the first sign of ripples. No prizes for guessing it was the English media who created the disruption.

Adding to many instances in the past, the press has a history of disrupting the England camp at World Cups. And on Thursday England assistant coach Steve Holland was spotted holding a piece of paper with the starting XI revealed.

The English media were quick to zoom in on the notes, snapping a photo. Within moments the picture was published on social media. Yes, it is the media’s job to publish the news. And they are correct in saying had they not published the photo the foreign media would have done so.

However, in my eyes, this shouldn’t be about a childish squabble over “they published it so we did too”. It’s a trust issue.

In tournaments of the past, the senior team and the media’s relationship has been frail. This has lead to the players never being open to speaking to the media and the media using any opportunity to jump on the players’ backs. But this year, England manager Gareth Southgate and his players have gone out of their way building bridges between the two.
In tournaments of the past, the senior team and the media’s relationship has been frail. This has lead to the players never being open to speaking to the media and the media using any opportunity to jump on the players’ backs. But this year, England manager Gareth Southgate and his players have gone out of their way building bridges between the two. /

Danny Rose has opened up about his mental health issues of the past and his battle with depression. An example of this new approach from the England team. The media have now responded by stabbing the team in the back. They could have confronted the FA about the news and thought of a way to publish the photo without being so snide.

The photo that was leaked revealed another Manchester United star could start

The big talking point was that Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford was pictured starting with Harry Kane upfront instead of Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling.

Rashford had been pushing for a starting place for a while. Prior to the World Cup in the friendly against Costa Rica, Rashford started and scored a screamer. He backed that up with a strong cameo against Tunisia last Monday coming off the bench in the second half.
Rashford had been pushing for a starting place for a while. Prior to the World Cup in the friendly against Costa Rica, Rashford started and scored a screamer. He backed that up with a strong cameo against Tunisia last Monday coming off the bench in the second half. /

The 20-year old has that goalscoring ability too, something Sterling has struggled to show in an England shirt. But the change would of no doubt been a risk for Southgate considering how well England started the last match with Sterling in a system they have worked on for some time.

It is almost a like for like change, though. Both players possess great dribbling ability, quick feet and frightening pace. However, Southgate has chosen to give Sterling a vote of confidence and stick with the City man. Full lineup below.

Next: Read why Jesse Lingard is so vital for Gareth Southgate and this England team at the World Cup

ENGLAND STARTING XI vs Panama: 1 Pickford, 2 Walker, 5 Stones, 6 Maguire, 12 Trippier, 7 Lingard, 8 Henderson, 21 Loftus-Cheek, 18 Young, 10 Sterling, 9 Kane. (352).

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