Keown, Sutton name England’s two certain World Cup starters

Chris Sutton and Martin Keown believe Declan Rice and Harry Kane are the only players guaranteed to be in the starting XI for England at the World Cup in Qatar.

Southgate fielded an experimental lineup for Saturday’s friendly against Switzerland on Saturday, with Kane scoring the winner from the penalty spot in the second half, while Rice came on in the second half and impressed in midfield.

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“There is competition everywhere in this England team. I would say there are only two certain starters for Qatar 2022 right now and they are Declan Rice and Harry Kane. Otherwise, it’s a free-for-all,” Sutton told the Daily Mail.

“That includes in goal. We know Southgate feels loyal to Jordan Pickford but Aaron Ramsdale has enjoyed a better season for Arsenal than he has for Everton.

“The XI that starts England’s World Cup opener later this year is not set in stone. We are seeing new players selected all the time, aren’t we? Like Conor Gallagher, who is thriving and looks a free spirit on the field.”

But both Sutton and Keown believe Southgate has a problem at the heart of his defence.

“For all the positives, one negative is that England have a problem in central defence,” Sutton said.

“Harry Maguire’s club form has