Six Athletic Writers Back Stones to Start Against Haaland in England's World Cup Quarter-Final
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 10
Six Athletic Writers Back Stones to Start Against Haaland in England's World Cup Quarter-Final
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 10
Summary
Five of six Athletic writers would start John Stones against Norway, arguing his Manchester City experience with Erling Haaland gives England their best chance of containing the striker in Saturday’s quarter-final in Miami.
Right-back is the other main debate: most picks keep Ezri Konsa there after the Mexico win, while one writer prefers Djed Spence and several would hold Reece James back for a late substitute role.
Selection choices are being shaped by England’s absences and fitness concerns — Jarell Quansah is suspended after his red card against Mexico, Jordan Henderson is out of the tournament, and Marc Guehi, James and Declan Rice have had fitness issues.
Beyond defence, the writers largely see the rest of the XI as settled after the last-16 win, with Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and the Rice-Elliot Anderson midfield widely backed to start.
Norway, in their first World Cup quarter-final, are viewed as more than dark horses because Haaland, Martin Odegaard, Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sorloth pose varied attacking threats.