Hasselbaink urges Tuchel to start Morgan Rogers over Anthony Gordon for England
Hasselbaink wants Morgan Rogers to replace Anthony Gordon

Former England coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has urged Thomas Tuchel to drop Anthony Gordon and hand Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers his first start of the tournament on the left wing for England's final World Cup group game against Panama on Saturday.

England's group stage situation

The Three Lions have already secured their place in the knockout stages with four points from two matches, but need a win to guarantee top spot in Group B. Tuchel is expected to rotate his squad, with players like Reece James and Declan Rice potentially rested to manage their minutes over the tournament.

Gordon and Noni Madueke have come under pressure on the wings after failing to make a breakthrough in the goalless draw against Ghana. Gordon also had a quiet game in the opener against Croatia, leading to calls for the new Barcelona signing to be dropped.

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Hasselbaink's proposed lineup

Hasselbaink, speaking on talkSPORT, named his starting XI for the Panama clash: 'Pickford, O'Reilly, I'm going to give Reece James a rest because I want him to be ready for the next match. Who am I playing at right-back? Spence. Guehi and Ezri Konsa. I'll need to give Saka some minutes. I would play Rogers on the left. I would play Bellingham, rest Declan, I'm looking after Declan. Anderson and Mainoo. I'm not dropping Harry.'

Former England striker Darren Bent agreed with Hasselbaink's back four but opted for a different midfield and front three: 'Pickford, Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly, Anderson, Bellingham, Rogers, left Rashford, right Saka, Kane down the middle.'

Bukayo Saka's return

Tuchel has suggested that the Panama game will be the first start of the tournament for Bukayo Saka, who has come off the bench in the first two matches while dealing with an Achilles issue. 'He seems to be more and more ready, and will hopefully push, and then we will see what is coming,' Tuchel said after the Ghana draw. 'He's getting there, he has more and more training sessions, so he needs to have more sessions now, two sessions, to be ready for Panama. But Noni tried everything and he did well as well, so it's not only about Bukayo but it's good when he's back. Today he got some minutes under his belt. Hopefully there is no reaction and he is good to go.'

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