In a significant boost for Gareth Southgate's plans, Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James all took part in full training with the England squad on...
In a significant boost for Gareth Southgate's plans, Declan Rice, Marc Guehi and Reece James all took part in full training with the England squad on Friday, just 24 hours before their World Cup quarter final showdown against Norway. For a side looking to impose themselves on a tournament that has demanded tactical flexibility, this is exactly the sort of news that settles the nerves around St George's Park.Let's be honest. When you're facing a Norway side built around the physical presence of Erling Haaland and the craft of Martin Odegaard, you need every ounce of defensive mobility you can get. Guehi's recovery from a minor knock means Southgate retains the option of a centre back who reads the game intelligently and is composed in transitional play. Meanwhile, James offers that rarest of modern commodities: a full back who can defend the low block with aggression and then burst forward to deliver a cross that demands clinical finishing. Rice, of course, is the man who makes everything tick. His presence in midfield gives the back four a shield and the forwards a platform to attack.You have to wonder whether Southgate will gamble on James from the start or ease him back into the rhythm of tournament football. The Norwich born right back has been plagued by injuries, but his quality is undeniable. When fit, he offers a blend of power and precision that can unlock the most stubborn defensive lines. And against a Norway side that will likely sit deep and look to counter, that ability to whip a ball into the mixer from wide positions could prove decisive.The bigger picture here is about squad depth. England have often been accused of bottling it in the big moments, but this generation has the resilience to go deep. Seeing Rice, Guehi and James all training together, laughing and sharpening their timing, sends a clear message to the Norwegian camp. This is not a team in crisis. This is a team that knows how to manage the load and peak at exactly the right moment. Squeaky bum time is fast approaching, and Southgate has his key men ready to stand tall.What will be fascinating is how the English midfield copes with Norway's physicality. Rice will need help, and the return of James as an outlet down the right could relieve pressure. If Southgate gets his tactical balance right, there is no reason this side cannot dominate possession and create enough chances to break the Norse resistance. The pitch at the Al Bayt Stadium will be immaculate. The tempo will be high. And England, with their key soldiers back in the ranks, look primed for a battle royal.
