Thomas Tuchel has been urged not to play two Arsenal stars in England’s World Cup Bronze match against France on Saturday night.
After failing to reach the final, the Three Lions and Les Bleus will contest the third-place play-off in Miami at 10pm UK time.
While not the match they wanted to play, victory for England would give them their best result at the World Cup since winning it in 1966.
Tuchel, who has faced a barrage of criticism over his tactics in the semi-final defeat to Argentina, is reportedly determined to finish the tournament on a high and could well name a strong starting XI.
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But former England goalkeeper Joe Hart believes this match should be used to reward and test out the squad players who have not played much, if at all, at the finals.
Moreover, he has firmly told Tuchel that there is ‘no point’ playing anyone struggling with fitness or injury, namely Arsenal stars Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, as well as captain Harry Kane.
‘I think there’s a great opportunity for some of the boys who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes,’ the former Manchester City No.1 said on the Rest is Football.
‘They’ll be great opportunities for some people to stake their claim. It’s a dog eat dog world.
‘I think he’ll change the goalie [Jordan Pickford]. If I was doing it, I’d change the lot. I’d give everyone an opportunity, obviously within the structure that I’m trying to build.
‘There’s no point in Declan playing. I know you’re talking about the Golden Boot with Harry Kane but the players who look genuinely shattered [like Rice and Saka], the last thing they need is to go and slug it out in Miami.’
With the exception of Jordan Henderson, who broke his arm while celebrating the quarter-final win over Mexico, every England player trained ahead of the game and is available for selection.
As alluded to, Kane and Jude Bellingham remain in contention for the Golden Boot with six goals each but they would need a big performance to win it, with France’s Kylian Mbappe and Argentina’s Lionel Messi on eight.
Just four of the 26-man England squad are yet to play a single minute at the World Cup, namely back-up keepers Dean Henderson and James Trafford, defender Trevoh Chalobah and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.
Mainoo’s absence throughout the tournament has been criticised and some have even suggested that the Manchester United star should refuse to play in the Bronze match.
‘That depends where your head’s at,’ Hart said when asked about the matter.
‘It depends on who you want to be as a footballer, as a person. If you want to be a victim… Every opportunity you’ve got to take.’
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