For the match against Senegal, Sky Sports analyst Paul Merson has recommended England manager Gareth Southgate to start Chelsea player Mason Mount rather than Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson.
Merson believes Mount might enhance the movement and inventiveness of the midfield, but Henderson gave an assured performance to help the Three Lions defeat Wales in their last group match:
It's very one-dimensional and you're asking Harry Kane to drop deeper and deeper, so I wouldn't start with Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Jordan Henderson in the middle of the field [against Senegal]. Mason Mount ought to be the first one to move forward if one of the midfield three is allowed the chance to do so. Henderson is better at holding the ball than Mount, who moves the ball fast and can spot a pass and is on the half-turn. If you play Mount, I think it would keep Kane further up the pitch and would allow you to push Bellingham forward, leaving Rice in front of the back four, which is enough, you don’t need two defensive midfielders in front of the back four.”
Considering Mount started the 0-0 draw versus the USA, while Henderson played in a 3-0 victory over the Welsh, you’d have to say that Merson is way off base here.
With Rice playing as a solitary holding midfield player, England failed to get control of the match against the US, whilst they dominated possession versus Wales when he was part of a double pivot.
At club level, Rice is used to having someone alongside him who can help cover the ground, and Henderson is ideal for such a job. The fact that he can also be a leader on the pitch is an added bonus.
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