The question that is in focus is, should Mason Mount start for a 3rd successive game at this World Cup – or should someone else be brought in to spark some creativity into the team?

The three options that Gareth Southgate has are Mason Mount, Phil Foden or James Maddison. There is a chance that Jack Grealish could be shoehorned into an attacking midfielder as a last resort, but with the options at hand, it is tough to see Southgate picking this one.

Mason Mount

Having started against Iran and USA, Mount is a heavy favourite to grab the number 10 role again against Wales. So far across both games, he has 0 goal contributions from 6 goals scored by England, a combined xG of 0.19 from 3 shots, and lost possession of the ball 21 times. These are not good stats for an attacking midfielder. Granted, against the USA it can be argued that no one played well for England, but when the team is playing poorly you need your creative players to step up. A change in play style could see Mount dropped to the bench, to be replaced by someone a bit faster and trickier than him.

There are players in the England squad who are eagerly waiting for their chance to impress, one of which is Phil Foden.

Phil Foden

Foden is one of the most exciting young players in world football, let alone in England, he regularly starts for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and has already scored 7 goals in 14 Premier League appearances this season.

Southgate did not play Foden in the 10 role because “he doesn’t play there for his club.”

People took to Twitter to discuss this, with user @1ashermorris_ posting a compilation of Foden playing as a CAM for City, against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League. The compilation shows a wide range of passing weight, excellent vision to play in his attacker on multiple occasions and quick one-touch passes.

 

This shows that Foden is more than capable of playing that role, and the excuse that the England manager comes up with clearly is a cover for the real reason he hasn’t played him all too much recently.

It is an intriguing situation, due to the stubborn nature of Southgate and his team rotation.

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James Maddison

Another player who will be awaiting a start for England is James Maddison. A talking point arose when he was selected, with many people agreeing with the decision to take him.

With the same number of goals this season as Foden, and in fewer appearances, he will be believing that he can play against Wales.

The stats speak for themselves, but Southgate will be wary of the fact that Maddison has not started for England before at a major tournament. He has also just come back from a niggling injury.

A lot of fans would enjoy seeing someone different play in the attacking midfield position in the last group game, as it opens options for the upcoming knockout rounds – if England makes it through.

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Verdict – Mason Mount

As much as the fans want to see something different against Wales, we should expect to see Mount start. Southgate has his favourites in the squad and Mount is one of these. Whether or not we see him subbed off at half time, or just after is left to find out, but expect to see Mount starting.

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