EXCLUSIVE: Competition for a place in the middle of the park in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad is going to be fierce this summer, and three former internationals – two ex-England and one ex-Scotland – think it’s going to be a shootout between two of the Premier League’s most wanted midfielders.
Whisper it, but perhaps this could be the year that England finally end their tournament hoodoo and are crowned world champions. When you look at the players that Thomas Tuchel can select, it’s difficult to think of another nation that has a more talented player pool.
Yes, there are areas of the squad that could certainly do with a little bit more depth, but even the issue of a reliable deputy for Harry Kane seems to be easing with Ollie Watkins and Dominic Calvert-Lewin demonstrating a killer instinct in front of goal that surely has both in contention for a place on the plane.
CB is another part of the pitch where England look short, but let’s worry about that closer to the tournament.
Tuchel’s working with an embarrassment of riches in front of his back four. Despite the competition, Declan Rice is an automatic pick. The question over who partners him is one that will be debated from now until the end of the season, and three pundits have had their say in quotes obtained exclusively by Essential Football, naming Crystal Palace‘s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest‘s Elliot Anderson as the two frontrunners.
Jermaine Jenas backs Wharton to bring ‘control’ to Three Lions midfield
Former Newcastle United and Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas knows a thing or two about running a midfield. Despite competing with the likes of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes, Jenas managed to make over 21 appearances for his country.
Speaking to 10bet, Jenas sung the praises of Forest’s Anderson, but explained why he would pick Wharton.
“I really like balance in midfield, and don’t get me wrong, I think Elliot Anderson is a fantastic footballer, and I think he’s doing brilliant stuff at Forest and he’s passed his test with England with flying colours.
“However, I think Adam Wharton offers you something totally different in terms of a level of control, and that left-hand side balance.
“Also, I think that when England are playing in the States, when it’s going to be absolutely scorching hot, that ball retention is going to be a key component to your progression in the tournament. Because of that, I would go for Wharton, personally.”
Chris Waddle thinks Wharton would allow Rice to roam and reap havoc
England favourite Chris Waddle also endorsed Wharton to be paired with Rice in the England engine room. Waddle, who appeared at three major international tournaments during a distinguished playing career, reaching the quarter-finals of the 1986 World Cup and the semi-finals in 1990, said of the Palace man in a discussion with BestBettingSites:
“Anderson has more licence to get around the pitch. I’m not saying he’s got more energy, but he does get forward more. If you’re pairing someone with Declan Rice, I’d probably go with Wharton.
“Declan Rice has become a far better player since he’s been allowed to get forward. He’s now box-to-box, he scores goals, makes runs and drives into the final third. Wharton could sit and say, “You do that, I’ll stay here and distribute,” which is the role Rice used to play himself.”
Waddle made a point of saying that one possible area of weakness for England is its defence, which is why he thinks Wharton should get the nod.
“If you’re playing three in midfield and one is a number 10, Rice almost becomes a half number 10 now because of how much he gets forward. In that case, Wharton becomes your safeguard in front of the centre-halves.
“If you look at England’s weaknesses going into a World Cup, defending could be an issue. You’ll probably need that screen in front of the defence. If that’s the case, I’d go with Wharton.
“If the manager wants to be more adventurous, Anderson can do the job as well, because he does create and drive forward. But overall, Wharton probably just edges it for me,” Waddle concluded.
Don Hutchison thinks Anderson would bring more energy to England midfield
Ex-Liverpool and West Ham midfielder Don Hutchison believes that Anderson is the perfect man to partner rice. In a conversation with oddsboom, the former 26-cap Scotland international explained why he would pick the Forest man.
“I’d have Elliot Anderson alongside Declan Rice. For me, there’s not much between them but I think the one thing that he’s got that he trumps Adam Wharton on is the energy to go box to box.
“Adam Wharton technically is a very good player. He’s got a real football brain, and that’s what the similarity between Florian Wirtz and Adam Wharton is. He sees a picture, he sees a pass. His range of passing is good. Whether it’s 10 yards, 30 yards, 50 yards. He’s got the most passes in his locker. I think when you look at Elliot Anderson, he’s got a similar sort of passing range but he can get around the pitch more. He can be aggressive, he can get touch tight and almost man-mark someone. If both of them are standing there, which one do you want? It would be Elliot Anderson,” Hutchison said.
The Essential Football verdict
In our opinion, this is a nice problem for Thomas Tuchel to have. When you’ve got a Rolls Royce in the middle of the park like Declan Rice – a man who can do it all – the decision should really be based on which player allows him to shine the brightest. That’s why we agree with Waddle and Jenas, it’s Wharton who should get the nod.