Fans left baffled by Southgate team selection for England friendly against Belgium

'His performance against Brazil was abysmal'

The Three Lions play the second of their two March friendlies after losing to Brazil on Saturday night.

Gareth Southgate is expected to make some changes to the squad tonight, who will be led out by Declan Rice in honour of the Arsenal midfielder winning his 50th cap for his country.

Your #ThreeLions! 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/y5J0rItCvD

— England (@England) March 23, 2024

According to Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett, Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo is expected to make his first start for England.

Mainoo came off the bench in the defeat at the weekend but is set to be part of a midfield three of himself, Rice and Jude Bellingham, a prospect sure to excite fans.

Ivan Toney is also in line to be given a chance after Ollie Watkins started on Saturday, with Harry Kane no longer available for selection.

However one inclusion that has got fans talking is the decision to keep Ben Chilwell in the starting XI.

Chilwell struggled in the left back role but Southgate has options few and far between available to him in that position aside from Joe Gomez, who will be on the bench from the start.

"Mainoo is an obvious starter, but Chilwell shouldn’t be anywhere near that squad. His performance against Brazil was abysmal," wrote one fan.

"How is he getting another start?" said another.

A third commented: "How is chilwell getting another chance?

"Why’s Chillwell starting?" wrote a fourth.

The full back has recently returned from an injury lay-off and has regularly captained Chelsea since being back in action.

Related links:

• Jeff Stelling questions Ben White after wife’s social media post following England’s defeat to Brazil
• England players to wear nameless shirts in second half of game against Belgium
• Sven-Goran Eriksson names the one current England player who would get in his ‘Golden Generation’ side