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Gareth Southgate has acquired quite the headache but in a good way.
England opened their World Cup campaign with a 6-2 romp over Iran. Though this was supposed to be a test for Southgate’s side, it seemed anything but.
Much to the surprise of some England supporters, Southgate opted to use a four-at-the-back system; rather than employing five defenders on the pitch. This allowed free-flowing attacks to be made at a higher volume, with Jude Bellingham marauding into the box on numerous occasions.
Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka completed the attacking trio alongside England’s talisman Harry Kane whose place in the team was inevitable. A midfield of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Mason Mount sat behind them.
It seems surreal that Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford and James Maddison all found themselves side-lined, but this goes to show the array of attacking talent that Southgate has at his disposal.
Despite not being amongst the goals, Harry Kane’s movement off the ball opened space for others to utilise and create chances.
Bellingham opened the scoring for England when he directed a Luke Shaw cross home. Arsenal man Saka grabbed his first of the night shortly after as he rifled one into the back of the net. The player of the match doubled his tally just after the hour mark.
Grealish and Rashford had points to prove after not featuring from the start and both converted their chance when it arrived.
So, it begs the question? Will England field the same team? Or will changes be made for when they face up against Gregg Berhalter’s side?
Coming into the tournament, England's attack was described as deadly and interchangeable, and this fixture proved that in abundance meaning alterations to the starting eleven for the next fixture are unexpected. However, with both starters and substitutes contributing, this may cause a change of personnel and purpose.
This was the perfect start for the Three Lions as they top their group with Wales and the United States sharing the spoils later on in the day.