Southgate warned over weakening England by starting Bellingham at World Cup

John Barnes fears Gareth Southgate will leave England vulnerable in defence if he picks Jude Bellingham to start in his favoured three-at-the-back system.

The Three Lions have had great success using three centre-halves in recent major tournaments, reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the Euro 2020 final with Kyle Walker, John Stones and Harry Maguire in the side. Southgate is set to continue with his tried-and-tested system in Qatar as England take on Iran, United States and Wales in the group stage.

Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips forged a rock-solid partnership in front of the defence during last year's Euros, but the latter comes into the World Cup short of match fitness after an injury-struck first half of the season. Many fans are hoping to see Jude Bellingham come into the line-up as he goes from strength to strength with Borussia Dortmund, but Barnes insists England need two natural holding midfielders for Southgate's preferred formation to be effective.

"With England's set-up defensively, what will determine whether we play a back three or five will be determined on the availability of our two holding midfield players," the Three Lions icon said. "If you play with the back five or back three, it'll be difficult to play with Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, for example, because Jude wants to get forward.

"In our back three, you need holding midfield players as we had in the Euros with Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips. It also really depends on how Gareth Southgate wants to play.

"Either way, a back four or five could work for England but then that will determine who plays in midfield. If we're playing five at the back, you can play with Bellingham in midfield. It really depends on the personnel as to how Gareth wants to play this tournament."

Bellingham is a more attack-minded player than either West Ham captain Rice or Manchester City stalwart Phillips; he has 10 direct goal involvements at club level this season compared to Rice's three.

What is Gareth Southgate's strongest England XI for the World Cup? Have your say in the comments!

Phillips, meanwhile, has only made four appearances for City - all of those as a substitute - since joining from Leeds United last summer for a fee which could rise to £45million.

The 26-year-old only recently recovered from a shoulder injury to make his return against Chelsea in the EFL Cup but is a classy operator on his day, presenting Southgate with a midfield selection dilemma ahead of Monday's opener against Iran.

John Barnes was speaking at the Panini sticker book giveaway in Canary Wharf, the official sticker book collection for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. For more information on Panini visit https://www.panini.co.uk/

Read more

Qatar World Cup 2022

England stars prepare for training

Qatari officials threaten reporter

Qatar life for PL stars & families

Kane makes Golden Boot prediction