England meet Argentina in a blockbuster World Cup semi-final on Wednesday night with a first final appearance since 1966 on the line.But should Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel risk the recuperating Declan Rice? Should he bring in Reece James at right back or back Djed Spence, who was so good off the bench against Norway? And should it be Bukayo Saka or Noni Madueke down the right wing? Decisions, decisions, decisions. Here Daily Mail Sport’s England experts unpack the problem positions and offer their advice for how the Three Lions can conquer Lionel Messi and Co and give themselves the ultimate shot at glory in Sunday night’s final…Oliver HoltChief Sports WriterI’d stick with Rice and Elliot Anderson as a two in front of the defence for this game even if Rice seems to be struggling more and more with injury and illness. It is tempting to move Jude Bellingham back alongside Anderson and draft in Morgan Rogers at No10 but Bellingham is too valuable further forward to do that. And England have to cut off the supply line to Messi as best they can. Keeping Rice and Anderson as the midfield screen gives England the best opportunity to do that. Ian LadymanFootball Editor
James is fit and our best full back so after his cameo in the centre of the field against Norway, it’s time for him to play in his natural position. I don’t trust any of our central defenders but these two are probably the best of it. Having failed to control the game in Miami and with Rice labouring, it’s worth dropping Bellingham in alongside Anderson to see if he can get a grip of it against an Argentina midfield that lacks its own real quality. Rogers is a more than adequate No10. Craig Hope Chief Football Reporter
Three big calls here – right back, central midfield and right wing. Spence played like a man possessed when he came on against Norway and I think he’s in a better place physically than James. Let that energy impact from the off, ahead of Ezri Konsa and Spence. If Rice is fit and recovered from illness, he should play. Even if that is an hour. Right wing… slightly trickier. Madueke hasn’t shown the class for this level of fixture, sadly, and Saka is better from the bench. So why not let Rogers start from a position in which he has played for Aston Villa? He was very good in Miami and deserves more involvement.Ian Herbert Deputy Chief Sports Writer
Maybe I read it wrong, but Saka’s second-half ambition and attack-mindedness was one of the highlights of last Saturday for me. Fully fit or not, get him in and let’s get the wingers starting to chip in with goals. It’s do or die now. Start Anthony Gordon, too. I’ve talked up Marcus Rashford so far and been proven wrong. It has to be him. I’d pick Spence over Nico O’Reilly because he threatens more. I loved his aggression and intent against Norway. John Stones snuffed out Erling Haaland – so another pick for me. If Rice isn’t fit, we need Kobbie Mainoo in midfield. Riath Al-SamarraiChief Sports Feature Writer
Saka’s fitness remains a question, which is a shame because Argentina are vulnerable at left back. Rogers is sharp enough to exploit that and showed as much against Norway. He can be more than a ‘finisher’. I’d also use Konsa at right-back, but would favour James and Spence off the bench in the full back roles to attacking tired legs.Jack GaughanEngland Reporter
I wouldn’t change it from the start. You’d rather Saka finishing the game than starting so Noni Madueke keeps his place for me. James and Spence were excellent off the bench against Norway and could easily stick to those roles. It feels that England are comfortable with who is doing what and when, so there doesn’t seem an awful lot of reason to deviate away from that really. And Michael Owen’s XI…Pickford; James, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.