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Football London
Football London
Sport
Elliott Jackson

'It's a joke!' - Chelsea fans baffled by Gareth Southgate's England starting 11 against Bulgaria

Chelsea fans have been left baffled by Gareth Southgate after he opted to start Ross Barkley over Mason Mount for England.

The Three Lions continue their EURO 2020 qualifying campaign this afternoon when they take on Bulgaria.

Southgate's side are looking to maintain their 100% start in Group A, having taken six points from their first two games back in March.

Bulgaria, meanwhile, have only two points from four matches, leaving England as red-hot favourites for this fixture.

Ross Barkley controls the ball against Manchester United (Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Despite facing inferior opposition, the Three Lions boss has opted for Barkley ahead of Mount as England's creative spark in midfield.

Frank Lampard has favoured Mount in the number ten role for Chelsea in the early weeks of the season and he has rewarded him with two goals already this term.

Barkley, on the other hand, has had to play second fiddle, either playing from the left-hand side or coming off the bench.

However, Southgate has made the bold call to include Barkley as part of a three-man midfield, which also included Liverpool's Jordan Henderson and West Ham's Declan Rice.

That decision has confused Chelsea supporters, given the showings of both players under Lampard this season.

They made their feelings clear on social media and here is what they had to say.

Mount will be hoping to make his Three Lions debut from the bench, the Blues' midfielder will also have a chance to make the starting 11 against Kosovo on Tuesday evening

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