WORLD CUP CONFIDENTIAL: Starting Bukayo Saka ahead of Phil Foden against Iran is 'an interesting call' from Gareth Southgate... but with Arsenal topping the Premier League and the winger in form, it's hard to really argue
- Bukayo Saka is set to start ahead of Phil Foden in England's World Cup opener
- Both youngsters have 11 goal contributions so far for their clubs this season
- Chris Sutton believes 'it must have been a close call' for Gareth Southgate
- For all the latest updates from Qatar see Sportsmail's LIVE World Cup blog
- And follow Sportsmail's LIVE England v Iran blog for all the Three Lions news
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
Chris Sutton believes that it is 'hard' to argue with Bukayo Saka starting ahead of Phil Foden in England's World Cup opener with Iran given the Arsenal forward's form.
The former Blackburn and Celtic forward admitted it was an 'interesting call' to play Saka ahead of Manchester City's Foden, and suggested that perhaps Raheem Sterling's poor form could see him dropped on Monday.
With both Foden and Saka having played 20 games already this season, the pair are level for goal contributions, with the former managing eight goals and three assists to Saka's five goals and six assists.
![It is an 'interesting call' to start Bukayo Saka ahead of Phil Foden, claims Chris Sutton](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/09/64768151-11452041-image-a-30_1669024756917.jpg)
It is an 'interesting call' to start Bukayo Saka ahead of Phil Foden, claims Chris Sutton
Daily Mail columnist Chris Sutton was speaking as part of Sportsmail and MailPlus's daily videocast 'World Cup Confidential'. It appears on MailOnline every morning of the tournament and can be found on our YouTube channel.
![Foden has eight goals and three assists for Manchester City so far this season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/09/64768149-11452041-image-a-32_1669024791412.jpg)
Foden has eight goals and three assists for Manchester City so far this season
'It's an interesting call, I though Gareth would start Phil Foden ahead of Saka, but it's hard to really argue with that decision, with Saka's form this season. It's as simple as that.'
'Having depth within the squad is important but I suppose people will look at Raheem Sterling as well, and think well, "his form hasn't been great" and maybe he should have been sacrificed.
'But there's this issue of loyalty which Gareth always bangs on about, but Saka on form this season - I get the decision.
'It must have been a difficult call and a close call, but I don't have a problem with that.'
The City forward had started Southgate's first game at last summer's delayed Euro 2020, but he slipped down the pecking order after struggling to make an impact against Croatia and Scotland.
However, Saka emerged as one of the stories of the competition after impressive displays that belied his young age against Germany and Denmark, before missing the decisive penalty in the final against Italy.
![Raheem Sterling has struggled to reproduce his best City form for Chelsea so far this season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/21/10/64768153-11452041-image-a-33_1669024815297.jpg)
Raheem Sterling has struggled to reproduce his best City form for Chelsea so far this season
And the 21-year-old has been crucial to his side's unlikely Premier League title challenge, with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal sitting five points clear of Foden's City by the mid-season break.
Raheem Sterling, on the other hand, has struggled to reproduce his best form for Chelsea since his summer switch from City, managing only five goals and two assists in all competitions.
The Blues man is however far more experienced than either Foden or Saka on the international stage, with 79 caps to their 18 and 20 respectively, as well as 19 goals and Southgate's constant backing.
With the Three Lions' tournament opener approaching, Sportsmail have already reported that Saka is in line to pip Foden to a starting spot in Gareth Southgate's first team in Qatar.
It was also revealed that both Jude Bellingham and Harry Maguire are likely to start the match, with England switching to a 4-3-3 system against Iran.
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