KEY POINTS

  • Jude Bellingham scored in England's 6-2 win over Iran
  • England were held at a 0-0 draw against the U.S.
  • England will take on Wales on Tuesday

Liverpool FC captain Jordan Henderson could reportedly replace young midfielder Jude Bellingham in England's upcoming clash with Wales in FIFA World Cup 2022.

England head coach Gareth Southgate, who is already being criticized for leaving Phil Foden as an unused substitute in their previous game that ended in a goalless draw, is expected to make at least one change for the Wales fixture.

The Three Lions appeared to be in a great position to make it to the knockout stage of the ongoing World Cup in Qatar when they thrashed Iran 6-2 in a Group B fixture. In that game, 19-year-old Bellingham, who opened the scoring, was one of the standout performers.

However, things did not go well for Southgate and his team against the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) in their following match. In fact, the Americans appeared to have had better chances of winning the game before it ended in a dull 0-0 draw.

England now have four points from two group games. Ahead of their final Group B match on Tuesday, Southgate is set to include 32-year-old midfielder Henderson in his starting XI ahead of Bellingham.

After failing to come off the bench in the first game against Iran, Henderson played for 21 minutes against the U.S. team. The Liverpool midfielder suffered a hamstring problem earlier this year, which saw him miss six games for the Reds. Henderson has one assist in 16 appearances for Jurgen Klopp's side in the ongoing season.

Bellingham, on the other hand, has netted nine goals and provided three assists in 22 games for Borussia Dortmund across competitions this term.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham (C) shone for Dortmund in their win at Besiktas
England midfielder Jude Bellingham (C) joined Dortmund in 2020 AFP / OZAN KOSE

About Foden's limited role in his side so far this World Cup, Southgate assured the Manchester City forward will have a "big impact" in the upcoming matches.

"He's a great option for us in two or three different positions and he will have a big impact in games. But also we have to be careful because we are putting a lot of pressure on him now. We're a team and we need all of the players and they can all play a part but not any one of them is the reason we will win or lose," Southgate told reporters ahead of the match against Wales.

As many as three teams have so far qualified for the knockout stage: Brazil, France and Portugal.

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