Joe Cole calls for Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane to be dropped for Wales clash

Bellingham and Kane have been a big part of Gareth Southgate’s England side so far
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Former England midfielder Joe Cole has called for Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane to be dropped for the Three Lions’ final World Cup group game against Wales on Tuesday (28 November).

Kane has failed to score in either of England’s opening two games in Qatar, and although Bellingham produced a fine performance in England’s opening game against Iran, the former Birmingham City midfielder struggled to make an impact in the 0-0 draw with USA on Friday.

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ITV pundit Cole believes both players should be rested for Engand’s final group game against Wales. A win against Rob Page’s side will see England top the group and qualify.

Jude Bellingham Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham

What do England need to do to qualify?

A draw for Gareth Southgate’s side would be good enough for England to go through, although if Iran win, England will finish second in group B.

For England to not qualify, they would have to lose 4-0 to Wales, and Iran would have to beat the US. So with the Three Lions on the brink of qualification, Cole believes Southgate should rest Bellingham and Kane.

In his latest column with The Telegraph, Cole has called for Phil Foden to replace Mason Mount in the starting line-up, Jack Grealish to come in for Raheem Sterling and for Jordan Henderson to replace Bellingham.

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After a spirited performance against Iran, hopes were high for a convincing win against the Americans but the USA put up a strong battle.

The USA put up a strong fight and were arguably the better team on the night, but were unable to break through with a goal.

England had a few good chances to take the lead themselves but were put under the cosh defensively for much of the game. Southgate will want to finish the group stages strongly and win the group, so it’s unlikely there will be too many changes to the starting eleven, although the likes of Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford could come into the starting line-up.

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