STICK OR TWIST? England predicted XI for monumental Argentina World Cup semi-final as Tuchel faces huge decisions in defence AND attack

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England boss Thomas Tuchel has not been afraid to use his squad during this World Cup but he may opt to stick rather than twist for the semi-final.

The Three Lions face their toughest test yet in

Argentina

and are still not back to full strength when it comes to their defensive options.

Reece James

is pushing for a return but it remains to be seen whether Tuchel takes a punt on the

Chelsea

right-back.

Declan Rice

is looking like he'll be back to 100 percent and he, as well as the likes of Elliot Anderson and talismanic duo

Jude Bellingham

and

Harry Kane

have been guaranteed starters.

The right-wing berth has been heavily debated. Noni Madueke started against

Norway

but was hauled off later in the game. Tuchel has several players he could go with there.

Our men in the US have cast their eye over Tuchel's options and given their take on how England will line-up for their biggest World Cup game in a generation.

Tuchel has some big calls to make against Argentina. Honestly, I would not be surprised to see him stick with the same line-up as he did against Norway.

The thinking? It could go extra-time and Tuchel likes the concept of

Bukayo Saka

and James operating as finishers and strong options from the bench. That said, I do actually think Saka will start on the right in place of Madueke with James also set to come off the bench.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him replace Rice around the hour mark while Ezri Konsa should keep his place at right-back as England's back-four appears settled now. Morgan Rogers should also get more minutes as he can definitely hurt Argentina.

I think Tuchel will go with a back-four of Konsa,

John Stones

, Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly, a midfield of Rice and Anderson with Saka, Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Kane in attack.

Predicted England XI: Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O'Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

Tuchel must do something he has not done before in this tournament - stick with the same back four. The England manager has turned Tinkerman with his defensive picks through the World Cup and yet he will need solidity at the back like never before against Argentina.

That means Ezri Konsa at right back, John Stones and Marc Guehi in the middle and then Nico O’Reilly at left back with a licence to roam into midfield. It would give England a solid foundation to face

Lionel Messi

and Co in Atlanta in Wednesday’s semifinal.

Let’s not forget how well they played against Norway. Stones was a revelation. The way he read the game, even kept his head and position when Alexander Sorloth led a Norway charge was nothing short of perfection. You need experience, cool heads and calm in an emotional, tough and brutal game like Argentina.

Messi has licence and freedom to go where he wants so you need solidity across the back. What you lose in Konsa as a “stay at home full back” you gain with his defensive prowess.

James is fit and has trained well but the smart money must be on Tuchel to stick and also recall Bukayo Saka to the starting XI on the right. Madueke was hooked at half time and you need your best players from the start against the big nations like Argentina.

My England XI (and what I think Tuchel will do) is: Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

A World Cup semi-final is an occasion when experience can be one of the most instrumental factors in the outcome of the game.

That was there for all to see in

Spain

’s win over

France

when Rodri ran the show.

John Stones will not be able to run the show from centre-half but he can have a significant impact on proceedings and should keep his place in central defence.

After his injury problems, Reece James should remain on the bench even if he appears fit again.

Plus, starting James and Declan Rice, who only managed a half against Norway and looked as though sickness had wiped him out, would be too much of a risk.

Bukayo Saka starting ahead of Noni Madueke is an obvious call but Tuchel has a big decision to make regarding Rice. Seeing him so irrelevant in that first half makes you wonder how he can have fully recovered in less than four days.

Tuchel should - and will - start him but he should also know by the first hydration break whether Rice is truly healthy enough for the challenge.

Substitutions could well be the defining moments in a tight game.

Predicted XI:

Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Rice, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.

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