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Gareth Southgate could start Man City player against Wales after 27 y/o struggled [Opinion]

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England lock horns with Wales on Tuesday evening in their final World Cup group game and Jack Grealish might be called upon to start by Gareth Southgate.

The 27-year-old scored from the bench in England’s 6-2 win over Iran while impressing as a second-half substitute in their 0-0 draw with USA, so Southgate might bring him in for Raheem Sterling who underwhelmed on Friday.

Sterling looked tired against USA, so playing three games in eight days might be too much for the England international. Grealish replaced him on the night and might do so from the off on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old is not having the best season domestically, scoring just one goal with zero assists from 16 games in all competitions, but he has been effective when called upon for England this tournament.

Southgate said he liked Grealish’s ability to retain possession and win fouls high up the pitch, so he might be a safe bet against Wales. Sterling failed to register a shot, create a chance, make a successful dribble or whip in an accurate cross in the USA stalemate, so he might benefit from a rest.

In other news, Gareth Southgate could start Kyle Walker v Wales after Kieran Trippier underperformed

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He joined from Newcastle in 2000 and left to join FC Sochaux in 2003

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Sports journalist who is an avid football fan, enjoys debunking transfer rumours, loves to write pieces about players out in the cold and takes a large amount of pride getting a predicted XI 100% correct.