With England and manager Gareth Southgate opening up their winter World Cup campaign out in Qatar with a big 6-2 victory over Iran on Monday, most England fans would have been delighted to see us move past a potentially huge banana skin and five different scorers getting themselves off the mark in the tournament, it should have done confidence the world of good as we now head into our next clash against the United States on Friday evening.
Leeds United fans will be watching this one fondly, not only could former Yorkshire Pirlo Kalvin Phillips feature for England following his big money move to Manchester City, and having overcome his recent injury that has severely hampered his game time this year, £25 million summer signing 22 year old Brendan Aaronson is also incredibly likely to feature for the US in the tie.
He has not really yet hit the ground running at Elland Road, but he has started to show signs of what he might be capable of in the Premier League as he has notched up one goal and two assists so far in his opening 14 games, and with plenty of pundits more than happy to give their thoughts on Southgate’s 26 man squad selection and ultimately, England’s chances at the tournament given the disappointment felt following the European Championship Final, in a recent in depth interview with Betway Insider, former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy has explained that he feels the US pose the biggest threat to England in Group B, and for understandable reasons, Aaronson gets a good name check for some praise.
“Probably USA. I say that only because their players are young, hungry, and super fit. The two lads at Leeds, Aaronson doesn’t stop, his fitness levels are remarkable. I was fortunate enough to spend some time interviewing my old mate Clint Dempsey last week and he reiterated that point that this is a group of really fit and hungry young men. They’ll have to play well, of course, not just run around, but in these conditions, against an England side that’s got lots of quality, you’re gonna have to do a lot of running.”
For those who like a flutter, World Cup Betting already offers numerous options to make a match a little bit more exciting from your living room, and the England v USA match could prove to be a cracker on that front when it comes to potential goals.
Murphy continued.
“They’ve also got players who can hurt you. Pulisic has got a point to prove, he wants to show the world what he’s about. He’s got that wonderful quality and dribbling ability that can make things happen from nothing.”
Of course, from an England point of view it is then a home nations class with Wales to finish off the group, and whilst Murphy feels that one will also be tricky, he is sticking with his pick that the US will be a harder test.
“Looking at Wales, Gareth Bale can win a match on his own, we know that. But when you look at the Wales team, a lot of their players don’t play in the Premier League. They’re not as young and fit as the Americans, they’re going to have to use their older players like Ramsey, Joe Allen, and Bale. So, I’ve got a feeling USA could be the trickiest one.”
Leeds fans will be hoping that whatever happens, Aaronson returns fit and healthy for the remaining campaign ahead, and if he does have a great tournament that could bring benefits of its own.
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