England v Argentina Q&A with Phil McNulty: Messi or Kane? Should Madueke be dropped for Saka?

'I would start Saka today'

Q&A with Phil

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Manish: Should Rogers or Rashford step into the right wing? Madueke hasn’t shown enough and Saka is not 100%. Honestly, even Watkins playing alongside Kane feels like a better choice.

Hi, Manish. I would start Saka today, even though there are clearly risks involved, and hope the adrenaline of a World Cup semi-final gets him through.

If I were picking someone to start instead of him, I would go with Morgan Rogers.

'England win would be 'biggest since 1966 World Cup final'

Q&A with Phil

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Andrew: Has England's performance in the last two Euros overcome a psychological block about getting to the finals of a tournament?

Hello, Andrew. Yes it has, but the big psychological block England have to overcome is getting to a final and winning one.

The World Cup semi-final is also different to a Euro semi-final. If England win today it will be, in my opinion, their most significant victory since the 1966 World Cup Final.

'Tuchel won't neglect other dangers'

Q&A with Phil

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Alex - Is there a risk England focus too heavily on stopping Messi?

Hello, Alex. Tuchel will focus on Messi, of course, but he is smart enough to know there are threats from elsewhere, such as Julian Alvarez, who I rate very highly.

I am sure he will have a plan for Messi – whether it works is another matter – but he won’t do that and neglect other dangers. He is too meticulous for that.

Tuchel said 'Rice is fit to start'

Q&A with Phil

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Simon: Phil, both sets of players will be exhausted having progressed thus far, but if Rice & Saka are not 100% fit, do you risk playing them or save them for a potential final, which in turn you may not get to without their help? How do you square the circle?

Hello, Simon. Obviously, Thomas Tuchel will have the inside track on this and he told us last night that Declan Rice is fit to start.

I would start both, but it would very much with fingers crossed. They are both very clearly nursing problems, but this is a World Cup semi-final. Now or never.

'Rogers is capable of something'

Q&A with Phil

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Adam: Do you think there could be a hero from the bench to win it for England tonight? a la Ollie Watkins v The Netherlands at Euro 2024.

Hello, Adam. There is always that chance. I always feel Morgan Rogers is capable of something at any time – so maybe Morgan Rogers will be the hero.

'Saka's fitness has been a real conundrum for Tuchel'

Q&A with Phil

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Kevin: Phil, what do we do on the right wing? Start Saka if fit enough to start? Got to be a better solution.

Hi, Kevin. Bukayo Saka’s fitness has been a real conundrum for Thomas Tuchel in this World Cup. He has had to manage his minutes because of his Achilles problem.

Fully fit, he is a certain starter, but Noni Madueke has had to play because has not looked right.

It’s a big call, but I would start Saka today in the hope he can be right. If not, after Madueke’s disappointing performance against Norway, I would go with Morgan Rogers.

England 'have to cut out the errors'

Q&A with Phil

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Joey: Hi Phil - another nervous England fan here! What do England have to do differently tonight to stop Argentina?

I think they have to cut out the errors that Thomas Tuchel was pointing out against Norway. After the first hydration break, Norway were the better team for long periods and England rode their luck at times.

This is a World Cup semi-final. There can be no sloppiness today or they will be on their way out. One mistake could be decisive.

This was exactly the point Tuchel was making after the game. And he was right to make it.

'Tuchel has to find a way to subdue Messi'

Q&A with Phil

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Ben: Hi Phil, apart from the blindingly obvious, what do you see as the key battles we need to win against Argentina?

Hello, Ben. Let’s start with that blindingly obvious one. Tuchel has to find a way to at least subdue Lionel Messi – which he said he was working on. England will need to keep Enzo Fernandez at arm’s length and then I think they could exploit Argentina down the flanks.

If they can do that then also provide service for Harry Kane, I think if England win the battle with Argentina central defenders Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez.

'Alvarez is vastly under-rated'

Q&A with Phil

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Mike: Phil, a lot of people seem to be focused on the Messi effect ahead of tonight's game, but looking beyond him, where on the pitch do you think Argentina can cause England the biggest problems? Is it through the midfield, the wide areas, or their movement between the lines?

Hi Mike. Lionel Messi will obviously be the main focus, but England need to be fully aware of two other Argentine players in particular, in my opinion. Julian Alvarez is an outstanding forward, works so hard and is capable of scoring great goals, as he proved against Switzerland in the quarter-final.

He may operate in Messi’s shadow, but I actually think he is vastly under-rated and pretty close to world-class. And Enzo Fernandez is another player capable of changing a game and escaping attention to score vital goals. He showed that when he scored with a header to win that incredible last 16 game against Egypt.

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