They can’t rely on one man

England boss Gareth Southgate has plenty to ponder before the World Cup this summer.

Who’ll start in goal? Will he play with a back three or a back four? And does he have an alternative to Harry Kane in attack?

Kane’s recent injury highlights the need for alternatives. With two friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy coming up, the Coral News Team have taken a look at three options…

Vardy’s speed

Jamie Vardy is the obvious replacement for Kane. He’s got 14 Premier League goals for Leicester City so far this season.

The 31-year-old has incredible speed and he’s deadly when played through on goal too.

The main issue with playing Vardy is that Southgate wants to play a possession-based game which may not suit him. He’s at his best when his team breaks with speed, giving him space in behind to run into. The Sheffield-born forward may be most effective coming off the bench against tired defenders in Russia.

False nine

Raheem Sterling is the second-highest English goalscorer after Kane in the top-flight this term with 15 goals.

He’s taken his game to another level at Manchester City with Pep Guardiola’s guidance. Now as well as being a tricky dribbler, he’s a genuine goal threat.

Sterling has tended to play wide on the right for City this term. But he did start up front, with a licence to drop deep, in December’s Manchester derby. It could be an option worth exploring for England.

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