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Topics: England, Football World Cup, France, Football
George Priestman
Fans will be happy over the supposed leaked England XI that will face off against France later today.
England are set to face France in the evening quarter-final following their impressive 3-0 win over Senegal in the Round of 16.
Southgate has stuck to his guns so far this tournament, fielding a more fluid and attacking 4-3-3 formation that the fans have been crying out for over the last few years.
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Whilst he opted for the more defensively-minded 3-4-3 formation during the 2018 World Cup and last summer's European Championships, the change in approach has paid dividends on the pitch, as well as pleasing England fans.
With just hours to go, the supposed leaked England side has been revealed, and fans will be happy with Gareth Southgate's decision with his team.
Given the threat of France and Kylian Mbappe, some thought that Southgate could return to the 3-4-3 that has served England so well in the last four years, but the leaked team from The Telegraph has revealed a continuation of the 4-3-3 set-up.
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Furthermore, it reveals an unchanged side from the Senegal win, as the England manager is backing his in-form side to beat the reigning world champions.
The England boss had revealed on Monday that he was going to favour an unchanged team, citing that this team are on the right path.
"We decided on Monday," he confessed. "We’d already watched by Monday night all the games of France, we’d already reviewed our game from Senegal. So we’re very clear on the right path because then you’ve got to deliver that through the week. We’re comfortable with where we’re at."
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In case you had forgotten, England will look set-up in a 4-3-3 with: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Henderson, Bellingham; Saka, Foden, Kane.
There's no doubt that this formation gets the most out of these players, with Jude Bellingham in midfield allowed the chance to thrive in a free role as part of the midfield three.
Alongside him is the experienced Jordan Henderson, who can help Kyle Walker to try and nullify the threat of Mbappe, similar to how he helps protect the right-hand side at club level for Liverpool, when Trent Alexander-Arnold ventures forward from right-back.
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Bukayo Saka will look to add to his already impressive three goals already, whilst the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish and Mason Mount could be vital off the bench as the game drifts on.
One thing is for sure - England are looking to match the world champions up and take the game to them in what is shaping up to be a quarter-final tie to remember.