Fears for Man United’s Marcus Rashford & Liverpool’s Adam Lallana

England & 2018 World Cup

On the final day of February, the Times have shifted focus to England and the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Three Lions are back in action next month with two tough friendlies lined-up.

England take on Holland (March 23) and Italy (March 27), as both nations look to get back on the right track having failed to qualify for the World Cup.

With Gareth Southgate set to name his next England squad in the coming days, bad news could be on it’s way to Man United’s Marcus Rashford and Liverpool’s Adam Lallana.

Man United & Marcus Rashford

The last time Marcus Rashford was in the Man United starting XI was on Boxing Day.

As detailed in the Times, Rashford has “played for just 52 out of a possible 630 minutes in the Premier League so far this year”.

Gareth Southgate has previously stated that he’d only pick players who are getting regular playing time for their club side.

So where does that leave Rashford? Will be make the cut for the next England squad? Are his World Cup hopes in doubt?

The Times express their fears for Rashford with the headline:

Gareth Southgate concerned by Marcus Rashford’s lack of game time at Manchester United.

Liverpool & Adam Lallana

Another player in a similar situation to Rashford is Liverpool’s Adam Lallana.

Since returning to action from injury, Lallana has failed to reclaim a starting spot in Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Lallana has only played 129 minutes for Liverpool since the turn of the year.

West Ham & Chelsea stars also not playing

The truth is that Southgate’s problems run deeper also.

From Joe Hart at West Ham, to Gary Cahill at Chelsea, seasoned England internationals are simply not starters are their club teams right now.

The full problem has been laid out in a handy graph from the Times.

England squad: Who is playing?

What seems clear is that Southgate is going to have to backtrack on his previous statement about only picking players who are playing.

Alternatively, if Southgate stays true to his word, the England XI at this summer’s World Cup could look like this:

Possible England XI based on game time

Also see: ‘Marco Reus shows he’s a Liverpool fan’.

Harry Kane trails Mohamed Salah’s ‘fox in the box’ stats.

from Football (soccer) greatest goals and highlights | 101 Great Goals - Feed http://ift.tt/2F46Pdj