Joe Cole picked a current Liverpool player over Jude Bellingham for his England starting XI this week. The Reds want to sign the youngster.
England face Wales this week knowing that a draw puts them through to the last 16 of the World Cup. In all likelihood, though, they can afford to lose the game – as long as it’s not by four.
Still, Gareth Southgate will surely ring the changes for this one after a lacklustre performance against the USA. He could do with having a look at some other players, especially with little on the line.
And Joe Cole believes Jordan Henderson should come into the side. The Liverpool captain hasn’t started a game yet but the former Reds feels he should step in for Jude Bellingham.
“I think having Henderson in as well, you can take the onus off of Bellingham and [Mason] Mount, change your shape,2 Cole told ITV. “It’s a big shout for the media, and it’s always the story.”
Jude Bellingham for England
Bellingham shone against Iran as England tore them apart in their opening game. He was quiet against the USA, however, and perhaps it is time that Henderson got a game. Of course, it would be nice to see him starting alongside Bellingham,
Liverpool, after all, want to sign Bellingham. Fabrizio Romano has maintained that’s the case for a long time now and said at the weekend that there had been contact. The 19-year-old will be the biggest transfer of 2023 and the Reds want it to be to Anfield.
Thus a Henderson / Bellingham midfield is actually something we hope to see regularly – just for Liverpool. Though, Bellingham isn’t even the only England midfield linked with a move.
Mount is supposedly on the Reds’ shortlist, too. There have even been links to Declan Rice, in fact, as Liverpool prepare to make waves and rejuvenate their midfield next year. Thus just getting Henderson out there could give a glimpse of the future, no matter who he’s lining up alongside.
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