Report: Alli handed forward role for England v Germany, three Tottenham players in starting XI

Wed 22 March 2017 14:23, UK

By Harry Sykes

Dele Alli will start in a front three for England in their glamour friendly against Germany on Wednesday night, according to a report.

The Telegraph claim the Tottenham playmaker will be one of three men from White Hart Lane in the starting XI at Dortmund along with Kyle Walker and Eric Dier.

It is said that manager Gareth Southgate will experiment with a three-man defence after seeing the system used with great success by the likes of Chelsea and Spurs this season.

Michael Keane is set to start in a back three that also includes Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling, with John Stones set to be saved for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.

The Telegraph claim to know the starting XI even though Southgate refused to even tell the players on Tuesday night amid fears of a leak.

Nevertheless, it is reported that the recently appointed manager will field a back three as well as a number of players in unfamiliar positions.

The anticipated switch to a back three means Walker and Ryan Bertrand are expected to operate as England’s wing backs with Jake Livermore partnering Eric Dier, who has spent most of the season in defence, in midfield.

With Harry Kane injured with ankle ligament damage and Wayne Rooney not in the squad, Jamie Vardy is expected to spearhead the attack against Germany, with Adam Lallana and Dele Alli either side of him.

Alli has been in outstanding form for Spurs in recent months, albeit in a deeper role, scoring 17 goals and supplying eight assists in 39 matches in all competitions.