Southgate will have his reasoning
Jesse Lingard has kept his place in the England starting line up for tonight’s game against Italy after scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over the Netherlands on Friday.
Consequently, Dele Alli will start from the bench once again. Favouring a formation with three centre-backs and two wing-backs, Southgate does not have enough attacking spaces to fit all the attacking talent into the team which means someone will draw the short straw. Tonight it was Alli, in the summer it could be someone else.
You get the sense that this will become the debate in the summer: who should start alongside Kane and Sterling, Lingard or Alli?
At the moment the general consensus seems to be Lingard, although with the fickle nature of football fans, that could all change in a week.
Pleased Walker in the 3 again. Lingaard over Alli again. Slightly surprised – feel Alli is better (esp when Kane returns), or is this just Spurs bias on my part? https://t.co/VM3vTCbcUT
— Max Rushden 💛🖤 (@maxrushden) March 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/MarcoReubs/status/978693365406543872
https://twitter.com/IsmaeelAkujee/status/978690008726081537
I'd rather lingard start being totally honest he deserves it more than alli
— WILL BRAY (@willsbray01) March 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/darbylfc/status/978693882262245376
No Dele Alli yet again. It’s what he gets for having such a poor season.
— Adam (@Adam_Oliver1) March 27, 2018
On form it’s lingard alli been missing most of season
— jimbo (@Burkie91) March 27, 2018
Like Friday I won't argue that Lingard over Alli is what's best for England
— Jordan Walters (@FatMagic94) March 27, 2018
Definitely Lingard. Alli has been poor this season.
— Tom (@mfctom97) March 27, 2018
We should remember that Harry Kane is out injured at the moment, and his relationship with Alli is partly what makes the latter so dangerous. Upon Kane’s return, it’s likely we’ll see them reunite in England shirts. Until then, Jesse Lingard will take the supporting role in attack.
