{"id":297637,"date":"2023-11-20T18:24:41","date_gmt":"2023-11-20T18:24:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=297637"},"modified":"2023-11-20T18:24:41","modified_gmt":"2023-11-20T18:24:41","slug":"england-set-to-start-exciting-midfield-trio-against-north-macedonia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/soccer\/england-set-to-start-exciting-midfield-trio-against-north-macedonia\/","title":{"rendered":"England set to start exciting midfield trio against North Macedonia"},"content":{"rendered":"
England will test out a new-look midfield against North Macedonia tonight that will feature\u00a0Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice and Phil Foden.<\/p>\n
Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate has previously been criticised over his reliance on choosing a more defensive midfield but is set to take the handbrake off tonight.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, England captain Harry Kane is set to be rested for the European Championship qualifying clash, with Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins\u00a0starting upfront.<\/p>\n
Victory tonight will see England top their qualifying group – having already qualified for next year’s Euros – which will give them a more favourable group stage draw in the competition.<\/p>\n
Southgate is focused on ensuring his squad produces a more inspired performance than their drab victory over Malta last week and is trialling a midfield with more creativity.<\/p>\n
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England will test out a new-look midfield against North Macedonia tonight that will feature Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden<\/p>\n
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Arsenal’s Declan Rice (pictured) will start alongside Alexander-Arnold and Foden in midfield<\/p>\n
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Liverpool vice-captain Alexander-Arnold will start his second consecutive game in England’s midfield and will be hoping the added flair of Foden alongside him will create more opportunities than they managed against Malta.<\/p>\n
Foden is usually deployed as a winger in the national team set-up but featured for parts of last week’s match in midfield and is tasked with doing the same again tonight.<\/p>\n
Arsenal star Rice will be entrusted with acting as the more defensive-minded midfielder out of the trio as he often does for both club and country.<\/p>\n
The unusual midfield arrangement means Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips will most likely start on the bench, while Man City youngster Rico Lewis – who can play in both midfield and defence – will be hoping to make his senior England debut.<\/p>\n
Regardless of tonight’s performance, it is extremely unlikely this will be Southgate’s preferred midfield for the Euros, given the temporary absence of Jude Bellingham.<\/p>\n
The Real Madrid superstar has cemented his place in England’s midfield and will almost certainly start in the competition. He left the current Three Lions squad early due to injury.<\/p>\n
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England manager Gareth Southgate has opted for a new-look midfield against North Macedonia<\/p>\n
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England captain Harry Kane (left) has been rested tonight as Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins (right) starts upfront<\/p>\n
However, Alexander-Arnold, Foden, and Rice will want to prove themselves as the best midfield partner for Bellingham and can stake a claim tonight.<\/p>\n
The same can be said for Watkins who has been given the nod to lead the line for England against North Macedonia in just his ninth senior appearance.<\/p>\n
Watkins has starred for Villa in the Premier League this season by scoring six goals in 12 top-flight appearances for Unai Emery’s side.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old is widely viewed as the reserve act for Kane, with the England captain one of the most clinical strikers in world football.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It’s All Kicking Off\u00a0is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.<\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify<\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n