[ad_pod ]

Gareth Southgate should switch to a one-man defensive midfield by drafting in Declan Rice for both Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier, which would then allow Callum Hudson-Odoi to be part of the starting lineup.

Good enough to do both jobs

Rice has shown for West Ham this season that he can be trusted to do almost everything in that centre-defensive midfield position.

The 20-year-old is a dominating presence physically, but one who is extremely comfortable on the ball and can also tackle effectively, making him a well-rounded player in the middle of the park.

Matty from the Magpie Channel looks ahead to this weekend's England fixtures in the video below...

All of these qualities can be found between the pair of Henderson and Dier, who, on their own, have some good traits but are lacking in other areas - Henderson physically, and Dier in terms of his quality on the ball.

Would allow Hudson-Odoi to come in

In his 20 minutes on the pitch, Hudson-Odoi managed to have two shots - both of which were on target - whilst also providing a constant, direct threat down the left flank.

It was his saved effort that led to the fifth goal, diverted into his own net by Tomas Kalas, and Hudson-Odoi provided the perfect foul for Jadon Sancho out on the opposite flank throughout - the pair of them gave the Czech Republic backline plenty to think about.

The Chelsea academy graduate began the evening on the bench, with Raheem Sterling out on the right flank, although the hat-trick hero on the night has shown in Manchester City colours that he can play anywhere across the front free.

If Rice is drafted in, Southgate can try a 4-1-4-1 system with the Hammers academy graduate holding, Dele Alli ahead of him with Sancho, Sterling and Hudson-Odoi alongside him, whilst Harry Kane plays a lone striker role.

Just uttering those names and the quality that they carry should spark excitement for England fans - that attacking quartet, with the outstanding Rice mopping up behind, could go on to do great things in the near future.