Gary Lineker has laid out England’s most intriguing World Cup selection dilemma: Marcus Rashford or Anthony Gordon on the wing. Speaking on Netflix’s The Rest Is Football, the former England striker framed the decision around Thomas Tuchel’s intended game model. If England want to press ferociously from the front, Lineker argued, Gordon is the fit. If the call is simply to pick the best pure talent, Rashford’s ceiling and match-winning threat are hard to ignore. This is a stylistic fork rather than a straight comparison of numbers. Gordon brings intensity, discipline and repeat sprints that activate an aggressive press. He tracks full-backs tirelessly, closes passing lanes, and triggers turnovers high up the pitch—traits that can tilt tight tournament matches. In a side engineered to squeeze opponents and compress the middle third, his work rate and direct running keep England compact and dangerous. Rashford, by contrast, is a transition specialist. His pace over distance, 1v1 dribbling and instinctive finishing make him lethal when England break lines. He darts into the left channel, attacks the far post, and can score from set-pieces or half-spaces around the box. Beyond the skill-set, he brings big-tournament experience and an ability to decide knockout ties with one action—a crucial asset when margins are minimal. Tuchel’s choice likely hinges on opponent profiles. Against possession-dominant teams with build-up patterns, a press-led plan suggests Gordon from the start to disrupt rhythm and force errors. Versus deep blocks or sides leaving space behind, Rashford’s direct threat and gravity can stretch defences and open lanes for teammates. Fitness and form at camp will matter, as will in-game roles: one could start, the other arrive as a decisive substitute. There is also a hybrid route. England could begin with Gordon to establish control and defensive security, then unleash Rashford against tiring legs. Conversely, if England chase a game, Rashford’s immediate goal threat argues for early inclusion, with Gordon later stiffening the press to protect a lead. Set-piece duties, penalty depth and left-right flexibility (including brief minutes on the right) add further nuance. Lineker’s bottom line was pragmatic: the ‘right’ winger is the one that fits Tuchel’s plan for each opponent. For England, the luxury is having two elite but contrasting profiles. If the tournament is won in moments, the art may be less about picking one over the other—and more about timing each to perfection.