Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers has shared England’s plan to deal with Norway’s Erling Haaland in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
The Three Lions face underdogs Norway on Saturday at 10pm in Miami for a place in the last four of the competition.
Norway’s biggest threat is posed by their No9, who is all too familiar with Premier League fans, winning the golden boot in three of the last four seasons.
Rogers explained how England plan to neutralise the centre-forward, backing his club teammate at Aston Villa, Ezri Konsa, to marshal him out of the game.
He said: “I think he’s one of the best centre-backs in football, if I’m honest, I think at this World Cup.
“I think the ability that he’s got, he can do everything as a centre-back, never gets beaten in the air, strong in the tackle, unbelievable on the ball.
“Honestly, I don’t know a flaw in his game, and I think that’s helped Villa that probably a bigger club has not taken him in the last few years.
“I think that’s helped us, because I honestly don’t know a problem in his game, really.”
Morgan Rogers has backed his club teammate Ezri Konsa to deal with Erling Haaland
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Rogers continued: “It’s nice that he gets the recognition and he can compete on the world stage, and everyone can see how good he actually is.
“I think he does go under the radar massively, and in these conversations of the best centre-backs, he is right up there.”
Konsa’s record against Haaland is impressive, with Villa winning four of their last six meetings against Manchester City without allowing the striker to score.
Rogers added: “We’ve done well in those games against City, and we’ve won, but every game’s a different game.
Rogers came on as a substitute in stoppage time against Mexico
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“He can just turn it on with a flick of a switch.
“I think we’ve just got to be so focused, so aware of the runs he makes and where he is in the box, especially in how deadly he can be.
“Ez [Konsa] is obviously a great defender to have on your side to come up against him.
“But I think it takes a whole team effort to stop someone like that and stop their supply line.”
Haaland poses the biggest threat for Norway going forward
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It has been a brilliant run so far from Thomas Tuchel’s side to reach the quarter-finals, including a memorable win at the Azteca Stadium against Mexico.
Two goals from Jude Bellingham and a penalty from Harry Kane helped a 10-man England produce a performance to remember.
Should the Three Lions progress against Norway on Saturday, they will face either Argentina or Switzerland in the semi-finals on July 15.
