The England Thread

[hughy]

Not really sure why Toney deserves a call up, I would have gone for Solanke myself.

I'd say Toney is the better player overall, but based on this season it doesn't send out a great message when someone at a mid-table team with 15 league goals can't get in the squad ahead of Toney and Rashford.

I personally think we have enough wide forwards to be able to do without Rashford.

 

[Hazelton]

Southgate is entitled to pick whoever he wants but if I was a young England player coming through and playing well, it would bother me that form doesn't appear to matter in the selection criteria.

 

[allatsea]

Southgate is entitled to pick whoever he wants but if I was a young England player coming through and playing well, it would bother me that form doesn't appear to matter in the selection criteria.

Got to agree. What has Toney done since his return from suspension to justify recalling him ? Looked right of the pace of games when I have seen him.

 

[easley91]

Two out of three.

And where have all the myriad of right backs gone? Only Walker left!

View attachment 138645

Somehow the RBs are all injured at the same time I think.

 

[snakehipsspurs]

Only player that I would have liked to have seen is Mainoo. Understand he might be a little green for the final WC squad, but how will we know without giving him a look?

Also, what benefit is there in taking Henderson over him for the friendlies? Gareth's been sniffing Hendo's shorts for 8 years, he knows everything about him. Seems poor future planning for me.

 

[easley91]

Looking at the forwards, aside from Rashford (and Toney because he just got back from suspension) they have all been in great form over the course of the season. I understand the defenders as a few injuries at the moment. no idea how Henderson has done since going to Ajax, but him aside I like the midfielders. Goalkeepers Pope is injured still and we all know until someone else comes along and steps up in a major way it'll be Pickford. Ramsdale needs to leave Arsenal if he wants to be England no.1.

I think, for the defenders especially, this is a good time to nail down a tournament spot. The likes of Gomez and Branthwaite more so. If Chilwell can stay fit for the rest of the season, then that does strengthen LB.

 

[Trix]

England Attackers = First Class

England Defenders/ Goalkeeper = yikes - better score a lot of goals with the attack-minded Southgate...

Pickford is a far better keeper than he's given credit for. Walker is still world class. Stones a very good International quality CB, and I also think Shaw is also a very good full back who just can't put a long enough run of games together. In fact only Maguire is imo below the standard required and if Someone like Konsa or more so Branthwaite, can keep going and improving, and more importantly Southgate actually picks them I think the whole starting 11 is potentially very strong.

 

[Kirito]

Henderson is Southgates mistress. Nothing wrong with that, these internationals allow them to spend some quality time together. Its cute.

 

[Kingellesar]

If we need someone to play next to Rice, who do we think it will be? Gallagher? Or TAA? Talking about the summer not for these friendlies. Surely we aren't going into a major tournament with Henderson as the starting midfielder.....

Be stupid to drop Bellingham back when he seems to be playing further forward for Madrid, so can't see Maddison getting in the team.

 

[Yid121]

For me you play that four in the big games with ... someone next to Rice. No idea who that someone is right now. But in games England should win I'd play Bellingham next to Rice and Maddison in front, which is probably too daring for Southgate no matter the opposition.

Should just play the first option tbh whoever the opponent is. So many options at AM and Bellingham is good at CM. Ange has shown bravery over conservativeness (mourinho/conte) is the best to get out of players for some squads.

Southgate is just a championship manager who can't see that and is scared to do anything adventurous in case his complete lack of tactics get exposed

 

[Trix]

If we need someone to play next to Rice, who do we think it will be? Gallagher? Or TAA? Talking about the summer not for these friendlies. Surely we aren't going into a major tournament with Henderson as the starting midfielder.....

Be stupid to drop Bellingham back when he seems to be playing further forward for Madrid, so can't see Maddison getting in the team.

Bellingham for me. Not as a second pivot, as a box to box 8. There is no team we should fear to the point we have to play an out and out defensive set up..

 

[Kingellesar]

@Trix so would you play Maddison or Palmer behind Kane?

 

[Trix]

@Trix so would you play Maddison or Palmer behind Kane?

Maddison.

 

[thebenjamin]

Branthwaite should be straight in next to Stones

 

[Thenewcat]

Southgate should have a relatively easy job. He has 9 pretty much nailed on starters, everything except a partner for stones and one more for the front 6 to go with Rice, Bellingham, Foden, Kane and Saka. One of his weird obsessions has been sorted for him (Phillips, who would doubtless still be in the squad if he’d just kept hiding at city). So work out those 2 positions and a decent blend of reserves. So what does he do? Picks 6 reserve forwards, none of whom are going to start in a million years without injury, but only 2 extra midfielders, one of them being his weirdest obsession (Henderson). Its a ludicrously unbalanced squad

 

[mark87]

 

[ItsBoris]

Bellingham for me. Not as a second pivot, as a box to box 8. There is no team we should fear to the point we have to play an out and out defensive set up..

Only problem with that for me is that I think Foden as 10 and then Rashford left is a weaker team than having Foden on the left and then either Maddison or Palmer #10 or TAA in midfield.

Trying to be unbiased I think out of those 3 Alexander Arnold might be the best all around player so think the team might be strongest with him in midfield.

 

[ItsBoris]

Somehow the RBs are all injured at the same time I think.

James and Alex Arnold injured, and Ben White apparently requested not to be in consideration

 

[ItsBoris]

Branthwaite should be straight in next to Stones

Is he or Dunk or Konsa really more deserving of a spot than Tomori? Whenever I've seen AC Milan Tomori has looked solid

 

[Hazelton]

I think ultimately he goes with Trent and Rice in midfield with Bellingham in front of them. Saka right, Foden left. If he starts Henderson he needs his head checked.