Sturridge and Walcott analyse 'exciting' World Cup squad

Theo Walcott has backed Marcus Rashford to have ‘a really important summer’ after the on-loan Barcelona winger was selected for his third World Cup.

Rashford has enjoyed a successful Spanish stint since joining the Catalan giants from Manchester United, scoring 14 goals in all competitions including a superb free-kick in the victory over Real Madrid which secured his side the La Liga title.

The 28 year old has also provided 14 assists and has been named in Thomas Tuchel’s 26-man squad heading Stateside this summer, having also been selected in 2018 and 2022.

Speaking on the Live Show, broadcast exclusively on the official England app, Walcott said: “I’m really pleased for Marcus Rashford. When I look at the whole squad, I focus on him.

“He takes risks, he took a risk by going abroad as well and he has been rewarded for that. I am pleased for him, I think he is going to have a really important summer and we can lean on him.

“He has a lot of experience and he is exciting, he has brought that freedom back into his game so I am looking forward to seeing how he develops on that stage.”

Walcott, famously called up to England’s 2006 World Cup as a 16 year old, was appearing on the Live Show alongside Daniel Sturridge, who travelled to Brazil as part of Roy Hodgson’s squad in 2014.

Sturridge is particularly excited by the midfield selection, which saw Kobbie Mainoo included alongside Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers and Eberechi Eze.

“There are big stories across the board but it’s an incredible selection and you have to give the manager credit for going with what he thinks is best,” he said.

“They are exciting players – Kobbie Mainoo was out the fold at Manchester United and has worked his way back in, so I am really happy for him.

“Morgan Rogers has just lifted a Europa League so he will be full of confidence. Hendo (Jordan Henderson) brings that experience, that mindset. It’s a really exciting midfield.”

Defensively, Dan Burn will have the chance to add to his six England caps as he prepares to feature at his first World Cup at the age of 34.

The Newcastle centre-back joins Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Jarrell Quansah, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly, Djed Spence and Reece James among the options in the backline.

Walcott added: “Burn is a great story. He brings that energy, chemistry and connection with all the players there. It’s a lot of their first World Cups in that backline and the defence has been brilliant in the qualifying stages.

“I am pleased for John Stones as well, he will be the guy a lot of them can learn from, going into this with World Cup experience behind him. It’s a nice line-up with a lot of youth, which is great to see.”