World Cup 2018: 5 Things England Need To Improve To Beat Sweden

5. Upgrade Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling has now played three out of England's four games at the 2018 World Cup, having been rested against Belgium along with the majority of Southgate's preferred 11. It is fair to say that the Manchester City forward didn't enjoy any stellar performances against Tunisia, Panama, or, Colombia, and though he played better against the latter, Sterling certainly left a lot to be desired.

England struggled to create any real chances against the South Americans in the last 16, and while there is a valid argument that Rashford did nothing against Belgium to deserve a call into the first team, has Sterling really done anything to keep his place?

It seems unfair that while Sterling has essentially been a passenger on the pitch, another talented youngster, who has only been given one chance to impress as part of a much changed team, has had to sit and watch from the bench.

It may be worth giving Rashford a chance in the starting line up against Sweden and keep Sterling as an impact sub toward the end of the game if necessary. This may inject England with the urgency that they seemed to lack against Colombia.