Paul Merson leaves two Arsenal stars out of his strongest England XI

Paul Merson has named his strongest England starting XI, leaving out ’s Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka.

Gareth Southgate has led the Three Lions to a World Cup semi-final and final of a European Championship, but the England boss has come under pressure following a poor run of results in the Nations League in June.

Southgate’s side failed to win any of their matches this month, losing twice to Hungary and drawing with Germany and Italy.

The dismal 4-0 loss to Hungary at Molineux marked the worst home defeat for the Three Lions in 94 years.

Despite their poor form, England still boast a wealth of talented players in the squad going into the Qatar World Cup later this year.

While Ramsdale, who enjoyed a promising debut campaign for the Gunners last season, started in the 4-0 defeat to Hungary and goalless draw with Italy, Merson would stick with Jordan Pickford for the World Cup.

‘Going into a , you need a goalkeeper with experience. We’ve seen it before with Scott Carson against Croatia – a good goalkeeper but wasn’t used to matches played at the international level,’ the Arsenal hero told .

‘You need caps to play in the World Cup, and has just them. He has big-game experience. There’s nothing else separating Pickford and at the moment.

‘I don’t think the first three months of the Premier League season will make much of a difference. Gareth Southgate has placed his trust in Pickford and will persist with him in the World Cup.’

Merson believes Southgate should change from a back four to a back three system for the World Cup, with Kyle Walker, John Stones and Harry Maguire the three centre-backs.

The former Arsenal winger also wants either Trent Alexander-Arnold or Reece James to play at right wing-back depending on the opposition and Ben Chilwell at left wing-back, if injury-free.

‘England need a three-man defence, and Harry Maguire is set to be on the left side. John Stones will be preferred in the centre, and England will need Kyle Walker to play in a three-man defence,’ Merson added.

‘Walker is versatile and can shift to right-back if England want to quickly switch to a back four. If Stones doesn’t play in the centre, Southgate should consider Conor Coady as an option. A three-man defence is a harder formation to play in, and Coady’s been playing in this system for most of his career.

‘The right wing-back depends on who England are playing against. In the group stages, I’d stick with Trent Alexander-Arnold. He’s one of the best in the country at passing the ball, and can break teams down with a single pass.

‘When England are playing against the better teams – Brazil, Argentina, France, and Belgium – I’d pick Reece James. Alexander-Arnold is not particularly safe at the back, and I’d prefer James over him in these matches.

‘On the left flank, we’ll have to see how Ben Chilwell performs after his injury. If he’s fit, I’d definitely go with him. Kieran Trippier will be in the squad and will be an able back-up. Luke Shaw’s performances are very hot and cold – he has spurts of top performances and if he can sustain them for the next three months, he could make it to the World Cup.’

Merson would line up with a midfield two of Declan Rice and Mason Mount ahead of the likes of Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips and Jude Bellingham.

‘England should play only one defensive midfielder, and I’d go with Declan Rice in a holding position. If you’re going to play three defenders at the back, having both Kalvin Phillips and Rice in midfield is just a waste of time,’ Merson said.

‘If we aren’t doing well and come up against a team like Argentina in a knock-out game, however, a horses-for-courses approach with two defensive midfielders would make sense. But when we’re playing our first few games in the group, I don’t see why England would field more than one defensive midfielder.

‘Jordan Henderson is very experienced – he won’t go all over the place, and he brings an air of calmness to the team. I’d pick him ahead of Kalvin Phillips in the World Cup.

‘In my opinion, Mason Mount has to play. People feel that his presence makes England too open in midfield. But we have three defenders at the back, two wing-backs, and a defensive midfielder. I’d want my other four players to go and win football matches for me,’ Merson continued.

‘Mount is probably one of the most intelligent players in the England team. He can play just in front of Rice and he’ll do the job. Three forwards don’t do enough damage – you need someone who can give them the ball.

‘Jude Bellingham is also a great player, but he wasn’t particularly impressive the other day. Mason Mount is disciplined, and I think he’s the perfect creative presence in England’s midfield.’

In attack, Merson feels Harry Kane should play with Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling on the wings, with no place for Arsenal star Bukayo Saka.

‘Raheem Sterling would be my first-choice winger in the World Cup. He turns up regularly for England, and I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves. He works hard off the ball and will play an important role in the World Cup,’ Merson began on England’s attack.

‘I’d go with Phil Foden to be Sterling’s partner-in-crime. The likes of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho will need a big three months to seal a place in the side. Rashford has been around for a long time and could make it, but Sancho doesn’t have much of a chance.

‘I don’t see much of a debate here – Harry Kane plays up front. He’s a shoo-in for the World Cup, and I can’t believe he’s played in these Nations League matches, to be honest. He should’ve been on holiday – now he only gets three weeks.

‘We need Harry Kane to be fit and fresh for the World Cup. He also needs runners around him – there’s no point in him dropping deep if no one’s making the runs. Raheem Sterling is the perfect foil for Harry Kane.’

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