West Ham player names Spurs duo as two of his main competitors

Gareth Southgate tried two different midfield combinations against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria and based on the results in those games, there is no question which one worked better.

Among the main changes that the England manager made to the team that took to the field against Bulgaria on Monday night was to bring in Harry Winks in for Declan Rice.

The Spurs midfielder was one of England’s best players on the night as he sat in front of the back four and helped to control the tempo of the match.

West Ham midfielder Rice is certainly under no illusions as to the battle he faces to start for England in the holding midfield role at the Euros next summer, should the Three Lions qualify as expected.

Apart from Winks, Rice named Wink...