England team news for Croatia game ‘leaked’ with big calls made over Marc Guehi and Bukayo Saka

Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke are all in line to start in England’s World Cup opener.

It is being widely reported that Arsenal star Bukayo Saka begins on the bench, with John Stones starting over Marc Guehi at the back.

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The Three Lions begin their campaign against Croatia on Wednesday, live on talkSPORT, as Thomas Tuchel takes his first step towards ending a 60-year wait for major tournament success.

The manager has not been afraid to make big calls as evidenced by his initial squad selection and it seems he won’t be when it comes to arguably England’s toughest group game judging by the rumoured line-up that has been circulated and leaked online.

England’s leaked XI vs Croatia

He is likely to end the Bellingham and Morgan Rogers debate by going with the Real Madrid midfelder, who was excellent in the warm-up game against Costa Rica.

Then on the left flank, Tuchel is said to have gone for Gordon over Marcus Rashford.

It is understood Gordon offers greater positional discipline and intensity than the man he is replacing at Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Madueke looks set to take the place of Arsenal teammate Saka, who despite being a mainstay at the last three major tournaments, arrived at camp with a slight niggle and faces a race to be fit in time.

But it’s at centre-back where a few eyebrows may be raised.

Ezri Konsa looks set to partner Stones in front of Jordan Pickford in central defence.

While Stones has played every game for England at the last four major tournaments, he saw his playing time reduced at Man City this season, particularly after the arrival of Guehi in January.

But this has had no effect on Tuchel’s decision-making and the physicality and height of Konsa, complemented by the ball-playing ability of Stones, seems to have made his mind up.

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In central midfield, Declan Rice and Manchester City-coveted Elliot Anderson will continue as the chosen partnership, having been Tuchel’s go-to pairing since last September.

Arguably the most straight-forward decision is up front, as Kane looks to take his stunning goalscoring form into the World Cup.

Marc my words

Tuchel’s reported decision to drop Guehi for Stones might shock many, but talkSPORT host Gabby Agbonlahor isn’t surprised.

He told talkSPORT Breakfast: “I think Konsa and Stones do start – Stones on that left-hand side, Konsa right side.”

Agbonlahor continued: “I wouldn’t have started Stones. But I just think that [Tuchel] really likes Stones. 

“There’s something about this manager. I don’t know if it’s the way Stones can play that from the back. He’s very good coming out with the ball, great on the ball. 

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“In the early [group L] games – Croatia, Ghana, Panama, I think will be okay.”

But, not for the first time, Agbonlahor worries for Stones should England progress to the latter stages, where he said: “I wouldn’t start Stones [then]. I’d be worried if we play a France or a Portugal.”

With the possibility of facing Mexico in the round of 16, he added: “I think we’ll be okay as well with Stones back there. 

“I think we get the test of the top, top teams – that’s when I’ll be a bit worried. 

“But I’m honest – I loved Guehi at Crystal Palace. He started well at Manchester City but towards the end, I watched some of the games and I’m like: ‘Hmm I’m a bit worried here’, and it looks like the manager’s not going to play him.”

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