Darren Bent Says Rashford Gamble Could Save England’s World Cup Semi

Darren Bent has a wild idea for England’s World Cup semifinal against Argentina: start Marcus Rashford on the right wing. The former England striker told talkSPORT that the current setup isn’t working, and maybe it’s time to roll the dice.

England made the semifinals for the second time in three tournaments after grinding past Norway in extra time, 2-1. But now they face the defending champions, Argentina, and Bent thinks the selection needs a shakeup.

“I don’t think Noni Madueke plays,” Bent said. “But he might even gamble and go, ‘Do you know what, if Saka’s not 100 percent fit, let’s try Rashford out there.’ On the right-hand side and Gordon on the left. Just to try something different.”

Madueke’s rough tournament

Madueke has started all but one game this World Cup, with only two appearances off the bench. And Bent didn’t hold back on his assessment of the Chelsea winger’s quarterfinal performance.

“He’s offside in positions where you should never be offside,” Bent said. “You’ve got the perfect position to stand on the touchline and look along the line. He’s getting that wrong. First two he’s offside. Then he goes past his full-back, hits the ball out of play for a goal kick. Then all of a sudden he’s scared to take his full-back on, he goes backwards. It just didn’t work for him at all.”

Fotmob gave Madueke a 6.6 rating against Norway. His replacement, Bukayo Saka, got a 7.4. But Saka might not be fully fit, which is where the Rashford idea comes in.

The Rashford problem

Here’s the catch. Rashford hasn’t played a minute in either of the past two games. Throwing him into a World Cup semifinal from the start, especially on the right side where he barely plays, is a massive ask. Over his career, he’s played the right wing about 200 times fewer than the left, and around 100 times fewer than center forward.

But Bent argues the team needs a spark. Madueke struggled. Saka might be gassed. And Argentina won’t let England get away with a slow start.

It’s a gamble for sure. Maybe a dumb one. But Bent says England have to try something, and Rashford has the talent to change the game if it clicks. If it doesn’t, well, England’s wait for a final since 1966 will stretch another four years.