Marcus Rashford welcome problem for England and other key issues before World Cup 2018

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  • England before Costa Rica.

    World Cup 2018 is now just a matter of days away and several major contenders have already landed in Russia after they completed their final warm-up matches.

    But how are they shaping up? Which players are in form and will the head coaches be forced into any last-minute tactical tweaks?

    Here, we review where England find themselves ahead of Monday’s Group G opener against Tunisia at Volgograd Arena:

    FRIENDLY RESULTS

    It’s been a good month for Gareth Southgate. Nigeria visited Wembley on June 2 and suffered a 2-1 defeat. The only worry will be how a tactical change by the visitors to combat their 3-5-2 formation led to a nervous second half. World Cup 2014 nemesis Costa Rica were then brushed aside 2-0, Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford lashing in a wonder strike.

    WHO IS IN FORM AND WHO IS IN A SLUMP?

    Southgate was happy to run through his options, only handing successive starts to Manchester City centre-back John Stones – a pivotal player who needed this game time after falling out of favour at club level. Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy only touched the ball eight times in the first half against Costa Rica. Odds of a start in Russia are tiny.

    TACTICAL TWEAKS

    Southgate has been welded to this shape since October and he has zero intention of changing it. Only one anchorman between Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson or Tottenham’s Eric Dier will likely start Monday’s Group G opener against Tunisia. Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek or United’s Jesse Lingard are battling to be the attacking force in midfield that links play.

    BURNING QUESTION

    Handed a free role up top against Costa Rica, Rashford wowed. The 20-year-old forward possesses unbridled talent and the question now is whether this is unleashed from the start or off the substitutes’ bench. With Tottenham talisman Harry Kane and Man City forward Raheem Sterling locks, Rashford presents a welcome problem.

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