The England Thread

[JamieSpursCommunityUser]

What FIFA rule/s has he breached? First I'm hearing about any of this. Sorry if it's a n00b question.

The English FA would have to raise it with FIFA, but essentially he can be banned or fined I believe.

Not happening in this case under Southgate it seems, but given he's not retired or explained himself, there is ample precedent.

It happened with Matip at Liverpool if I recall correctly when he refused a call up and Cameroon kicked off.

 

[Marty]

Why does nationalism in particular always lead to people coming out with the most insane takes?

 

[Misfit]

The English FA would have to raise it with FIFA, but essentially he can be banned or fined I believe.

Not happening in this case under Southgate it seems, but given he's not retired or explained himself, there is ample precedent.

It happened with Matip at Liverpool if I recall correctly when he refused a call up and Cameroon kicked off.

Dang. I had no idea a player couldn't just say 'nah mate', outside of the obvious not getting picked again under that manager etc.

Obviously it's something that is highly unlikely to happen where it gets to the complaint to FIFA stage but I was unaware it was even a thing. Cheers. Certainly explains why Giggs had all those convenient injuries under Fergie. Gets around the whole thing, even if inelegantly.

 

[14/04/91]

Fully aware I'm not English saying this but I've no real issue with what Ben White has done. It appears he isn't that keen on being away from family / home setting and potentially doesn't look like he enjoys football and it's more of a job type thing for him. If that's the case then why take on the additional travelling, pressure etc that comes with national team especially if he suspects he could be an unused sub at the euros this summer like he was at the last one.

I have issue with him not taking this stance before the World Cup. He took up a place which another player would’ve been eternally grateful for.
And, whilst unlikely, he could’ve left us right in the shit if we’d picked up a few injuries.
Selfish prick.
The majority of players still see representing England as a massive achievement, not flouncing because they think they should be first choice when they’re clearly not. At the time, he wasn’t even an Arsenal regular!

 

[DJS]

Between White‘s ridiculous fake tan, stupid hair cut and facial hair, he is just peak Arsenal to be honest.

 

[philll]

I wonder if Arsenal knew this was going to come out and hastily put together that awful "he cares so much" contract extension video. It's hard to tell because, let's be honest, they could've been planning that cringefest anyway.

 

[Yiddo100]

Something must’ve happened in Qatar when he left early, he’s said how happy he is to play for England before so strange why it would suddenly change.

 

[LSUY]

No way Southgate goes that attacking. We all know it’ll be two holding midfielders.

Gotta play the two holding midfielders. Gotta disrupt that midfield dominance Slovenia is famous for

 

[JSpurs1]

I'd really like it if Southgate just went full Guardiola and set us up in the 3241 system.

---------------Kane-----------------
Rashford---Foden--Bellingham---Saka
------------Rice------Stones---------
---Branthwaite---Maguire---Walker---

Rashford and Saka at full back? Maguire up top? I like it.

 

[LSUY]

Rashford and Saka at full back? Maguire up top? I like it.

Not so sure about Kane in goal though. We've seen that before and it didn't go well.

 

[JSpurs1]

Not so sure about Kane in goal though. We've seen that before and it didn't go well.

At least he can’t come up and take the corners.

 

[Wig]

Laughable that Southgate continues to pick his favourites - Henderson, Rashford, Maguire - with no care about the players' form and merits for being called up. Almost surprised he didn't pick Mason Mount too.

 

[Cochise]

Tbh, I was shocked Phillips was not included.

 

[bubble07]

Think the CBs he should take is stones maguire branthwaite Colwill

 

[easley91]

Always felt Maguire has done a solid job for England and I think he has been given unwarranted abuse over the years. People have made him a meme and ignore what he does when called up for the national side.

 

[DJS]

Rashford and Maguire I can understand as they have been starting regularly for Man U and Rashford has scored a few lately.

Henderson should be completely sacked off, although maybe Southgate feels he’s a good influence on younger midfielders - he was kinda looking after Bellingham recently wasn’t he?

Henderson is almost as big a bellend as White though mind.

 

[McFlash]

Although I was flicking between the games last night and not paying particular attention to any of them, Henderson didn't look very good at all for me.
Seemed to be doing a lot of pointing and shouting but not much else.
Really don't understand how he's still getting called up.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

Gareth shows some courage and calls up Kobbie Mainoo. Only 18 but looks the part. You’ve got to pick your best. Henderson and Philips…are they really all we’ve got. If Curtis Jones was fit I dare say he would have been in.

 

[spursville]

Gareth shows some courage and calls up Kobbie Mainoo. Only 18 but looks the part. You’ve got to pick your best. Henderson and Philips…are they really all we’ve got. If Curtis Jones was fit I dare say he would have been in.

I think he certainly deserves the call up but it's interesting that just last week Southgate said he hadn't played enough senior club games. So what's suddenly changed? Was he going to get called up by Ghana or has Southgate realised that he's messed up. He originally had only six players to cover (presumably) three central midfield slots and nine players to cover three attacking positions. Of those CMs only Rice and Henderson could be termed defensive. One or two injuries to those two and the team would have been in severe trouble.

What's more annoying is the manager's inability to coach players to play in more dynamic positions. Will Stones be used as he is for Man City alongside a more dynamic player than Maguire? He's been very reluctant to use TAA in a midfield position and seems to flatly refuse to use or coach Foden to play in midfield. Ironically we're more likely to see two defensive midfielders behind Bellingham rather than Bellingham, Foden plus one other. A better coach and we would be one of the favourites.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I don't think it's anything more than Mainoo was already with the U21s. I think Southgate has done they previously when a spot opened up - brought up an U21 to fill the slot for that particular international break.