Only Jude Bellingham from England has made Paul Robinson’s combined World Cup eleven.
And the former England ‘keeper told Betfred’s special Football Show focusing on all things Qatar that he has no doubt the 19 -year-old Dortmund midfielder is a future England captain.
Ahead of tomorrow’s final Robinson went for this all-star line-up as the best from the World Cup:
Livakovic in goal; then Hakimi, Gvardiol, Saiss, Acun, Amarabat, Bellingham, Gakpo, Griezmann, Mbappe and Messi.
For Sunday’s showdown Robinson, who played for Leeds and Spurs, reckons it will be a cagey affair between the pre-tournament second and third favourites. And tipping France to edge the classic encounter, he reckons Les Blues playmaker Antoine Griezmann should be the player of the tournament.
“It could go to extra time, probably penalties, and France to edge it,” was Robinson’s final verdict – adding that France “have a bit more defensively.” Of the two superstars grabbing all the headlines he described Kylian Mbappe’s pace as frightening, and as for Messi he’s looking to match Argentina great Diego Maradona to add a World Cup winners’ medal to his already brimming trophy cabinet.
Robinson said that Messi nowadays ” uses his fitness in a way to win games.” He’s also a big fan of Manchester United’s reported target Griezmann, praising his tackling and positional sense. ” I have seen a different side to him.”
Griezmann naturally makes Robinson’s combined France-Argentina line-up which has Martinez, Romero, Varane, Kounde, De Paul, Hernandez, Mbappe, Macallister and Messi. Robinson surprisingly adds Manchester City squad player Julian Alvarez up front – a striker whose stock has risen considerably in Qatar and will return to the Etihad a different player.
Finally Robinson wants his “neighbour” Gareth Southgate to stay as England boss … concluding that there should not even be a conversation about his future. Do watch the show, below, and enjoy what should be a great occasion on Sunday.
