‘Start the English Mbappe’ – Paul Parker’s 5-step guide to transform England for Russia 2018

Marcus Rashford is England’s equivalent of Kylian Mbappe. Both are strong technically, frighten defenders, are smart in and out of possession, and carry the ball with pace. In other words, the 19-year-old striker has to start every game.

Rashford needs as much international experience as possible before Russia, especially after he was foolishly omitted from the age group sides this summer. While other countries pride themselves on giving their best young players tournament experience at U17, U19 and U21 level, England feed the narrative that their young players need rest. It’s complete rubbish, we’re not sending them to dig up the M1 for five hours.

Rashford should have been with the Under-21s in Poland. Dele Alli, too. Both would have benefited from playing in an England side that actually has confidence; likewise, the other players would have been lifted by playing alongside established Premier League stars. Sadly, England’s ethos is that once you get a senior cap, you don’t have to play age group football. It’s ridiculous.

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The overwhelming consensus of pundits after Rashford scored against Slovakia was ‘oh, he’s made up for his mistake’. It was disgraceful. When England conceded possession from his sloppy play in the third minute, where were the players behind him? What did they do to stop Slovakia’s opening goal? Sure, Rashford made a bad decision, but blaming him alone ignores how quickly Slovakia ripped into England’s six-yard box.

We’ve got to start being more positive. A few people in the press have been coerced into thinking England can win tournaments or, at the very least, go on a deep run. But come on... England might huff and puff, but they are not good enough. Someone at the FA has to be brutally honest and recalibrate expectations, otherwise England will always be labelled underachievers and no progress can ever be made.

And then there’s the fans… or, more aptly, a group of people who watch their national side. There’s far more passion from the other Home Nations. England supporters are too caught up in rivalries between clubs in the Premier League – with Arsenal/Manchester United fans pouncing on a mistake from a Tottenham/Manchester City player, and vice versa. Even Celtic and Rangers fans come together for Scotland, but England fans can’t bury the hatchet for internationals.

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The speculation surrounding England’s number one for Russia 2018 is already leading to turmoil. They must sort it out – and soon.

Joe Hart may display confidence, but if he’s not sure about his position then it can’t leave him feeling good and that can only be detrimental for England. And anyway, I don’t think he should be in goal. He hasn’t been good for a long, long time – not in Italy, not in the Premier League. Gareth Southgate needs to make a statement about his preferred candidate for the World Cup, whether it’s Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford or another.

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It’s rather obvious, but England still aren’t right defensively. Instead of two typical English centre-halves – bruisers who stay in position – they need someone like a John Stones, albeit with their head screwed on. Somebody who is not only comfortable on the ball, but also able to step forward and play as a deep-lying midfielder in possession. If England can unearth such a player – which, admittedly, is easier said than done – they can ditch one of their two holding midfielders and push further forward.

Stones would seem the perfect candidate for the role, but sadly he still has a lot to learn. Until he plays more at club level, it’s hard to make a case for him to play at the heart of an international defence. Michael Keane of Everton, perhaps?

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Gareth Southgate has to tell one of his players: 'you’re a free man, everything starts from you, feel free to make as many positive mistakes as you like'. Why? Because England are desperately lacking creativity. We need someone who has the guts to get hold of the ball and make things happen and not leave them team relying on Alli and Harry Kane.

Small problem: as with the defender conundrum, I’m not sure who this could be. Eighteen months ago, I would have said Ross Barkley, but no one has been brave enough to make him feel wanted. He was never guaranteed two games on the spin, so has so far failed to progress into the talent we thought he could become.

But we can’t stick with Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier in the middle. They are destroyers, not creators. Henderson seems obsessed with keeping his stats high, always looking for the safe option, while Dier is unlikely to repeat his goalscoring heroics from the Slovakia win. We need another player to inspire our promising attackers.

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Paul Parker - @realpaulparker2