Hoping for more up and coming english CBs to play in the Eredivisie for a while, the Dutch have something in the water when it comes to defenders. Their team this year has an absolutely stacked defence, and Branthwaite spent a year at PSV so it adds up
Let’s be real the only reason they’re rated ahead of Branthwaite is the club they play for. Particularly when it comes to CBs it’s very hard to tell who ends up at the top.
Branthwaite has all the physical attributes you could want from a CB and is quick for his size and could will keep on improving with more experience however Colwill and Quansah imo are more comfortable on the ball, better technically and I think have a higher ceiling. Again, it’s great we have great young options
Solanke over Toney since Solanke is closer to Kane in terms of style of play, has more pace (not hard granted 😝) and has scored plenty of pens for us (Bournemouth) which is part of the reason people want to take Toney instead. Yes I'm biased but some people overlook what Solanke could bring to the squad. Hopefully Gareth can see that 🤞🏻.
The way Solanke has kicked on the last 2 seasons has really impressed me. After Chelsea and Liverpool and his early days at Bournemouth, I really thought he was going to be a flop. But he’s done superb the last couple of years. Deserves as much of a chance as anyone else
The optimist in me says he'll stay Iriola is getting the absolute best out of him. He was never as fruitful (at least not in the pl) under any former manager so my hope is he'll want to maximise his goal return and we can keep him for one more season at least. Drive his value up and get a good return.
The realist in me saw how many minutes Enes Unal was getting tail end of the season, realistically he's lined up in case we lose Dom.
how in the hell is Solanke closer to kane then toney ..... Toney literally is the next best at holding the ball up after kane...... hes the most similar style striker england have after kane.solanke isnt the same player at all how you've possibly managed to see that.
only thing I agree and disgusted about is how he hasn't been in the conversation all season for a callup, easily been one the most improved players the prem has seen all season. way more than palmer and that agenda. people already knew about palmer at city but solanke has never made the grade at liverpool and since he left he finally come out this season with that extra step and in my opinion hes form alone deserves that call up. but it'll never ever happen, so he should go play for Nigeria cos Southgate ain't ever taking him serious enough for a big competitions, a friendly or some deadout qualifying against Moldova is best he gona get or that dead out league european competition thing they have at end season best he'll ever get playing for england
He would have been nailed on before he got injured but agree he doesn’t make it now, especially with Palmer playing like he is who can cover a couple positions
He's failed to make squads in the past when in much better form, I'd be shocked if he was picked. I think Southgate would rather have a third centre forward, almost certainly Toney.
As much as I like Reece James he doesn’t belong here. He’s been injured most of the season and has been poor when he has played. Better to find someone else to take that extra spot.
I’m a Chelsea and England fan. Im the same he does not need to go this Euro as we have Walker. Maybe if he stays fit he can go to the World Cup 2 years after.
Changed the game against forest recently when came on. Looked immense. Looked good but got a silly red in the next game. He's such a talent he deserves a spot. Won't start but could fill in at rb or cm
Yes although we are severely lacking in leftbacks so Shaw probably has to be there since there’s not many other options, whereas we are pretty stacked when it comes to rightbacks
Grealish im not sure will go.
LW options :
- Foden (plays there for England and will continue cause Southgate),
- Gordon who’s better than Grealish
- Rashford (Southgate loves and will be option off bench)
- Eze can play there and is floating off the left for Palace atm and looking unreal
All these options are better imo than Grealish who’d been pretty bad this season
It may come down to whether Foden starts at 10, or Bellingham plays there and Foden is on the left. I'm operating on the assumption that he'll play Foden in the the middle, or at least consider that an option.
I think Gordon will go, he's been brilliant most of this season, Eze more as a central option, it may come down to Grealish or Rashford. From what I've seen, Grealish has been significantly better this season. He hasn't played that much, but that does mean he'll be fresh. I appreciate Rashford can bring it and has done a job for England in the past.
Konsa! He's been our best defender this season. Playing European football at both CB and RB. Finishing top 4. Not been beaten in a 1 on 1.
Guehi has been out half the season! The mind boggles!!
Wharton might be too risky imo, he's going to be a talent, but Mainoo already has some minutes for the national team and it might be too much to ask him to stepup to the national setup right before a tournament. Similar for Branthwaite, fantastic talent but not bedded into the system. They need to be called up for the next qualification campaign and run through the system then.
James is great but he is still returning from a major injury, he might not be fit yet, but it is an area we're weak in.
Henderson is going to be on the plane, but not to play, he's popular and seen as a leader in the backroom.
I don't think Eze makes the team with this much competition for wingers, I'd rather see Toney as a like for like backup for Kane with Watkins offering something different.
Update: *incorrect buzzer noise*
I really don't see the need for Maddison anymore. We have three no10s with Foden, Palmer and Bellingham. Thats not including Eze who is an 8/10 hybrid too.
Eric Dier has to be included.
And an argument for him starting. Really strong season personally (despite team underperforming), and has been keeping Upamecano and Kim out of the Bayern starting 11.
Am I the only one that thinks Henderson (goal keeper) should be a serious consideration considering pope has been out injured for most of the season and ramsdale has been dropped by Arsenal?
Tarkowski is in team of the season and was part of, along with Branthwaite and Pickford one of the best defenses in the league. It feels daft not taking a ready-made CB pairing and Goalie trio.
What's the point in taking Luke Shaw? The guys injury record should exclude him, he's missed half a year this season. it doesn't matter how good someone is, if they're injured they shouldn't go.
We learned this lesson in 2006 with Owen.
I know England are short of left backs but this would be foolish. I'd personally take Joe Gomez, good season, consistent performance, able to play in multiple positions and he knows the systems from being called up before.
That was the mentality we took with Owen in 06 and it was a mistake.
Luke Shaw is no Owen and his injuries were not this bad
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/luke-shaw/verletzungen/spieler/183288
Gomez over James for me.
Also, would drop Eze for another striker. I know Tomey isn’t in great form but he’s probably the closest like for like replacement for Kane.
If Shaw isn’t fit, I’d give Rico Lewis a chance as well
I'd take James and drop Trippier for someone else. James' quality is unreal and although he's only just come back he never seems to need time to recapture his form. He just comes straight back with the same high level.
Trippier's only real argument is he can also do a shift at LB, but he's pretty uninspiring there.
Pope and ramsdale have barely played for months...
Also we should definitely be courting olise hard. There's no way he doesn't get in over eze and Maddison right now
Agree but i think the main strength of southgate is picking players based on team spirit. When you live together under a ton of pressure for 2 weeks 24/7 i think it means more than most of us appreciate. Thats the difference between now and the golden generation
Would honestly take livramento over trips, can play both sides just like trips, you lose in the crossing ability. But 1 on 1 he’s amazing, but also can go forward with good feet and pick a pass. Also has a right engine on him.
I wouldn't take James because he's hardly played this Calender year and only just returned unless he's planning to use Trippier at left back and trent in midfield I don't see the point in taking 4 right backs. personally I'd take mitchell to give us another proper left back cause Shaw hasn't been playing recently either.
Toney over Watkins or bowen for me too
Toney you’d be picking on reputation not form. Bowen is a different sort of player to Toney and Watkins has just had his best ever season. Watkins is ahead of Toney in a straight shootout for me. Bowen is in as a wide option not a CF
I agree that taking James would probably be a mistake/wasted pick. If he was fully match fit though he would be one of the first names on the plane.
Watkins is a good player, he just doesn't fit in the England team. Toney can play Kane's role, Watkins plays a different role, one which England would need to adapt to. I don't think that works well in a tournament unless the team has had many games to do it.
I wouldn't take bowen because palmer and saka are clear of him and we don't need 3 left footed right wingers.
Watkins is great for villa but it hasn't really worked for him when he's had chances in the England team not every player fits into every system
Solanke over Toney and honestly Ollise (if he’ll take the call up) over Grealish (and I say that as someone who loves Grealish but his form this year has been piss poor). Imagining Eze and Ollise as dynamic subs for a 1-1 game or a 2-1 down with 20 mins to go is an incredible idea.
I believe he could be tempted….. depends on his bonds with his teammates at palace etc, if they’re called up…… it’s mad to thing we could potentially have 4 England internationals from palace tho, real credit to them as a club
White would be great if they could agree to bring him
Back under Southgate
Solanke has been awesome all year
Also controversial but Gibbs-White for Forest has been great also, would be worth being a super-sub and played great for under-21s
I think England need more central midfielders. Rice and Bellingham are mainstays but is still like to have someone a bit more senior than mainoo also on the bench alongside mainoo. Any suggestions who that could be? Also there’s quite a few players here who are not in good form but key players for England like Maguire shaw Maddison and grealish.
2 central strikers is a gamble as is only taking one proper holding midfielder in Rice. Gallagher runs hard but isn’t a number 6 and Mainoo won’t play as a lone DM
I reckon he is going to leave one of the number 10s at home, Maddison is my guess.
Wharton probably won’t go, but with a larger squad now, there’s an argument for taking a player like him just for the experience. He’d then be much more ready come the World Cup.
In terms of your squad, I wouldn’t bother with Reece James given he’s not been playing and there are 3 other right backs there. I’d take konsa over guehi too but that’s not a huge one.
I really wish Phillips career didn’t go downhill because we have too many attacking players and not enough defensive / box to box midfielders.
Shaw and James don't stand a chance. Replace with Mitchell/Chilwell and Gomez.
I don't see a world in which Bellingham and Foden are fit and Eze or Maddison go, let alone both. Maddison flat out doesn't deserve it based on the second half of the season and Eze is a bit unlucky.
With the sudden influx of talented, left footed, right sided attackers, I can't see how England's 4th (5th if you include Olise) best one in Bowen goes. Unlucky for him really.
Henderson will and should go for dressing room leadership purposes.
And he will take Toney (outside chance of Solanke) as a more like for like Kane backup compared to Watkins.
Think that leaves me with one spare spot which I'd give to Wharton. Or maybe Rashford.
James is a question mark for me. Top quality talent when not injured, but so injury prone it makes me wonder if we shouldn't give someone else the chance and build them up for consistency and stability than gamble on James every international break/tournament.
Good list. Imo I'd add Mitchell instead of guehi as well Solanke and swap out Eze. Based on the last few months, Mitchell showed he can do the job at left/wingback for palace. And other than Solanke England doesn't have a proper big man that can help with link up play as well as Kane. Watkins is more of an Owen type of player and he relishes in between spaces.
If Kane or Rice get injured we don’t have alternatives. Watkins is not the same kind of player. Toney seems the obvious target man but he’s nowhere near Kane. Henderson is playing in a second class league. You might consider Stones or TTA as part of mid 2.
I would thin out the midfield. We have world class alternatives in Foden and Bellingham. With Palmer we are strong.
Central defence is very weak.
Joe Gomez should be in there! Playing some of the best Football of his career & can play anywhere in the back four!
Also you've got four right backs in your squad should only really take two?
One left back in luke Shaw who is always injured.
Trippier I wouldn't start in the LB position.
Where's chillwell, colwill, Dan burn, Joe gomez etc?
Why you got 4 RB ffs.
I'm almost certain Reece James doesn't go.
He's spent the majority of the season injured. He'd be 3rd or 4th choice RB and has next to no match fitness.
A more sensible choice would be a Konsa or Gomez who can play at both CB and RB.
Otherwise this seems spot on, although I can see there being a choice between Grealish, Rashford and Bowen (Bowen deserves it on form and merit but the other 2 are more integrated in the squad and poster boys for England).
As a Chelsea fan...
James and Shaw aren't fit enough, Maguire and Pope haven't played enough. I'd add Johnstone over Pope, Colwill Konza or Gomez and Dier.
Unpopular opinion but I would 100% have AWB in the setup.
He offers something absolutely no other defender in the world can offer against pacey wingers. Would be perfect in an attacking setup to deal with counter attacks.
Edit: If not a starting option, he offers something off the bench that - if used correctly - could change games.
I feel like Rashford is getting in ahead of Bowen because he has the "moments" in him. Southgate might also want another backup striker in Toney, probably in place of Eze or Gordon. If Nick Pope is still injured then probably someone like Trafford would come in
i can see him taking dier or henderson just for the dressing room. I’d also personally take wharton but southgate won’t. Rashford definitely goes, bowen and eze dont go be serious they won’t get minutes and nobody gets on with them really.
i don't know who he's gonna replace, but Adam Wharton is him! and this squad really needs a quality player at that position and he can fill in that role. Crazy how england has been looking for a world class DM for years now (stuck with Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips lol), and now they got Rice, Mainoo, and Adam wharton coming up. tho i see rice more of a box to box.
i rather take adam wharton than eze from crystal palace if it was up to me. i can't see eze getting minutes at all, while i can see adam wharton playing a role. who cares if it's too early? good national team thrive off picking up young player who are on form. heck, im a chelsea fan, but get reece games out of here and put it adam.
Defence looks a bit shaky tbh. Though I assume rice will play in defence for Southgate
Forward/mids is genuinely mad. This team absolutely must win a trophy
I’d have Gomez and Quansah from the Liverpool squad in their personally. They’ve been playing at a super high level for one of the best teams in the league all season.
Ideally I'd put in another left footed LB and possibly another defensive minded/disciplined midfielder. I know they can play other positions but you essentially have 4 RBs and a lot of players who can play across the front 3/4. I don't know who those players are though
I'd take out Maddison possibly, been in poor form, and England are stacked for no.10, wide positions. Will he even get any minutes? Surely Palmer, Grealish, Gordon get subbed on before him, and then there's Bowen. I'd take Toney, even if he's also been crap lately, because he's different.
As much as I don't think he should be on the pitch, I'd actually take Henderson, especially for a 26 man squad. We're not going to use everyone anyway and his leadership will be important.
Reece James doesnt need to be in that list, so drop him for Hendo
I know this is counter intuitive, because Kyle Walker is such a strong, fast defender, but I'm always concerned that when playing for England he's going to switch off at some point and cost us dearly.
Konsa has had a good season overall despite moving between right back and centre back. Always gets overlooked but is great on the ball, great tackler and hardly ever gets dribbled past. If Cash was available more he’d been CB and probably stood out more
I know nobody really knows what's going on, but Ben White is better than all of those defenders. Maybe stones is on his level. Trent doesn't really count as a defender.
im desperate for branthwaite to live up to the hype and be our next great CB, if no one steps up there its a massive hole in our setup
I feel like Quansah and Colwill we be the pairing of the future but great to see some promising young CBs coming up at the same time
Hoping for more up and coming english CBs to play in the Eredivisie for a while, the Dutch have something in the water when it comes to defenders. Their team this year has an absolutely stacked defence, and Branthwaite spent a year at PSV so it adds up
And blackburn
Let’s be real the only reason they’re rated ahead of Branthwaite is the club they play for. Particularly when it comes to CBs it’s very hard to tell who ends up at the top.
Branthwaite has all the physical attributes you could want from a CB and is quick for his size and could will keep on improving with more experience however Colwill and Quansah imo are more comfortable on the ball, better technically and I think have a higher ceiling. Again, it’s great we have great young options
He will. The kid is elite.
he will. you’re lucky
Solanke over Toney since Solanke is closer to Kane in terms of style of play, has more pace (not hard granted 😝) and has scored plenty of pens for us (Bournemouth) which is part of the reason people want to take Toney instead. Yes I'm biased but some people overlook what Solanke could bring to the squad. Hopefully Gareth can see that 🤞🏻.
He’s one of the form strikers and Toney isn’t. He deserves to go.
Agreed. If only other people saw it that way, instead they insist on taking Toney 🙄.
off topic, but are bournemouth expecting to keep hold of solanke this summer given hes had such a breakout season?
My guess would be yes unless some mega bid comes in for him that is too hard and would be unwise to turn down.
The way Solanke has kicked on the last 2 seasons has really impressed me. After Chelsea and Liverpool and his early days at Bournemouth, I really thought he was going to be a flop. But he’s done superb the last couple of years. Deserves as much of a chance as anyone else
The optimist in me says he'll stay Iriola is getting the absolute best out of him. He was never as fruitful (at least not in the pl) under any former manager so my hope is he'll want to maximise his goal return and we can keep him for one more season at least. Drive his value up and get a good return. The realist in me saw how many minutes Enes Unal was getting tail end of the season, realistically he's lined up in case we lose Dom.
how in the hell is Solanke closer to kane then toney ..... Toney literally is the next best at holding the ball up after kane...... hes the most similar style striker england have after kane.solanke isnt the same player at all how you've possibly managed to see that. only thing I agree and disgusted about is how he hasn't been in the conversation all season for a callup, easily been one the most improved players the prem has seen all season. way more than palmer and that agenda. people already knew about palmer at city but solanke has never made the grade at liverpool and since he left he finally come out this season with that extra step and in my opinion hes form alone deserves that call up. but it'll never ever happen, so he should go play for Nigeria cos Southgate ain't ever taking him serious enough for a big competitions, a friendly or some deadout qualifying against Moldova is best he gona get or that dead out league european competition thing they have at end season best he'll ever get playing for england
Question should be is who is missing out of that stacked midfield for Henderson?
Am a spurs fan but even I’d drop Maddison. Guys been a ghost recently and there’s already far too many attacking midfielders in the squad
He would have been nailed on before he got injured but agree he doesn’t make it now, especially with Palmer playing like he is who can cover a couple positions
He's failed to make squads in the past when in much better form, I'd be shocked if he was picked. I think Southgate would rather have a third centre forward, almost certainly Toney.
The injury ruined his season. Just doesn’t look fit or sharp
As much as I like Reece James he doesn’t belong here. He’s been injured most of the season and has been poor when he has played. Better to find someone else to take that extra spot.
I’m a Chelsea and England fan. Im the same he does not need to go this Euro as we have Walker. Maybe if he stays fit he can go to the World Cup 2 years after.
Changed the game against forest recently when came on. Looked immense. Looked good but got a silly red in the next game. He's such a talent he deserves a spot. Won't start but could fill in at rb or cm
Surely applies to luke shaw aswell?
Yes although we are severely lacking in leftbacks so Shaw probably has to be there since there’s not many other options, whereas we are pretty stacked when it comes to rightbacks
He always plays well. Hes always injured. Always comes back well
Got sent off acting like a melon in like 10 mins in
But also in the game before he’d assisted and with 5 mins the score had gone from 2-1 to 3-2
Benny white white white
Yea 100% can cover CB also which is a bonus.
Absolutely agree. If he was at fulham he wouldn't even be considered right now. Doesn't deserve it, neither does grealish if we're being honest.
Can I offer you a multi faceted joe Gomez I. This trying time
Agreed, with walker, tripper, AA & James we have 4 RB/RWB
Why Grealish and Maddison?
Grealish has good experience with England and we aren't stacked with attackers who usually play on the left. Maddison won't get on the plane.
Grealish im not sure will go. LW options : - Foden (plays there for England and will continue cause Southgate), - Gordon who’s better than Grealish - Rashford (Southgate loves and will be option off bench) - Eze can play there and is floating off the left for Palace atm and looking unreal All these options are better imo than Grealish who’d been pretty bad this season
It may come down to whether Foden starts at 10, or Bellingham plays there and Foden is on the left. I'm operating on the assumption that he'll play Foden in the the middle, or at least consider that an option. I think Gordon will go, he's been brilliant most of this season, Eze more as a central option, it may come down to Grealish or Rashford. From what I've seen, Grealish has been significantly better this season. He hasn't played that much, but that does mean he'll be fresh. I appreciate Rashford can bring it and has done a job for England in the past.
Konsa! He's been our best defender this season. Playing European football at both CB and RB. Finishing top 4. Not been beaten in a 1 on 1. Guehi has been out half the season! The mind boggles!!
Wharton might be too risky imo, he's going to be a talent, but Mainoo already has some minutes for the national team and it might be too much to ask him to stepup to the national setup right before a tournament. Similar for Branthwaite, fantastic talent but not bedded into the system. They need to be called up for the next qualification campaign and run through the system then. James is great but he is still returning from a major injury, he might not be fit yet, but it is an area we're weak in. Henderson is going to be on the plane, but not to play, he's popular and seen as a leader in the backroom. I don't think Eze makes the team with this much competition for wingers, I'd rather see Toney as a like for like backup for Kane with Watkins offering something different. Update: *incorrect buzzer noise*
I must be going mental because everyone seems to keep saying Toney as the 3rd choice striker but I can't see how Solanke isn't a better choice
I simply had not considered him. You're right. he's had a great season and has experience in the setup.
I’d keep Eze in over some of the other tat we’ve got in midfield at the mo.
Plays way further forward tho
You can’t be serious about Eze. Have you ever watched him play for palace or are you just a pundit who looks at the club he plays for.
Well he called him a winger. So I’m gonna say he doesn’t watch.
Eze isn't a winger
My bad, I thought he was primarily a winger.
Wharton dismantled Mainoo in their last game
Can I swap Harry Maguire for 2 Harry Maguires?
Konsa is so damn underrated ffs
Konsa
I really don't see the need for Maddison anymore. We have three no10s with Foden, Palmer and Bellingham. Thats not including Eze who is an 8/10 hybrid too.
Yeah agree. He needed to be in good form for 6 weeks and he hasn't been.
Eric Dier has to be included. And an argument for him starting. Really strong season personally (despite team underperforming), and has been keeping Upamecano and Kim out of the Bayern starting 11.
Given that we look rather weak at CB he really does have to be there.
Am I the only one that thinks Henderson (goal keeper) should be a serious consideration considering pope has been out injured for most of the season and ramsdale has been dropped by Arsenal?
Feel bad for Tomori, shame Southgate only watches English league
Tomori didnt do great for England
Actually Southgate has Tomori sussed a lot better than the people online who pretend to watch him play
Tarkowski is in team of the season and was part of, along with Branthwaite and Pickford one of the best defenses in the league. It feels daft not taking a ready-made CB pairing and Goalie trio.
What's the point in taking Luke Shaw? The guys injury record should exclude him, he's missed half a year this season. it doesn't matter how good someone is, if they're injured they shouldn't go. We learned this lesson in 2006 with Owen. I know England are short of left backs but this would be foolish. I'd personally take Joe Gomez, good season, consistent performance, able to play in multiple positions and he knows the systems from being called up before.
Because a 70% Shaw is better than any other left back we have
That was the mentality we took with Owen in 06 and it was a mistake. Luke Shaw is no Owen and his injuries were not this bad https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/luke-shaw/verletzungen/spieler/183288
Where is konsa, the only defender in the prem that hasn't been beaten 1 on 1 this season.
Thank you. The disrespect.
Gomez over James for me. Also, would drop Eze for another striker. I know Tomey isn’t in great form but he’s probably the closest like for like replacement for Kane. If Shaw isn’t fit, I’d give Rico Lewis a chance as well
I'd take James and drop Trippier for someone else. James' quality is unreal and although he's only just come back he never seems to need time to recapture his form. He just comes straight back with the same high level. Trippier's only real argument is he can also do a shift at LB, but he's pretty uninspiring there.
Pope and ramsdale have barely played for months... Also we should definitely be courting olise hard. There's no way he doesn't get in over eze and Maddison right now
Second and Third choice goalkeeper real doesn't matter at all. All Pope and Ramsdale will be doing is sitting on the bench every match.
Isn't Olise french?
It’s a pity White doesn’t want to play for Southgate because he’d really strengthen that defence
Agree but i think the main strength of southgate is picking players based on team spirit. When you live together under a ton of pressure for 2 weeks 24/7 i think it means more than most of us appreciate. Thats the difference between now and the golden generation
He walks straight into the team, it’s a shame even more so as an Arsenal fan
Konsa….
Maddison shouldn't go but he will as Southgate doesn't care one bit about form.
I’d have Wharton in there
Would honestly take livramento over trips, can play both sides just like trips, you lose in the crossing ability. But 1 on 1 he’s amazing, but also can go forward with good feet and pick a pass. Also has a right engine on him.
Too early for Wharton, but mainoo is there?
Is Wharton too early if you include someone like Mainoo? Wharton is older and has plenty of experience in front of big crowds.
Too early for Wharton with a season in the champ but not for Mainoo with less than 20 senior games? Ok bud
I wouldn't take James because he's hardly played this Calender year and only just returned unless he's planning to use Trippier at left back and trent in midfield I don't see the point in taking 4 right backs. personally I'd take mitchell to give us another proper left back cause Shaw hasn't been playing recently either. Toney over Watkins or bowen for me too
Toney? Over watkins or bowen? Behave son!! U watched any football in the last 2 seasons?
Toney you’d be picking on reputation not form. Bowen is a different sort of player to Toney and Watkins has just had his best ever season. Watkins is ahead of Toney in a straight shootout for me. Bowen is in as a wide option not a CF I agree that taking James would probably be a mistake/wasted pick. If he was fully match fit though he would be one of the first names on the plane.
Watkins is a good player, he just doesn't fit in the England team. Toney can play Kane's role, Watkins plays a different role, one which England would need to adapt to. I don't think that works well in a tournament unless the team has had many games to do it.
I wouldn't take bowen because palmer and saka are clear of him and we don't need 3 left footed right wingers. Watkins is great for villa but it hasn't really worked for him when he's had chances in the England team not every player fits into every system
I love him but Trippier has been either a calamity or injured since November, I’d honestly take Livramento or Lewis Hall over trippier
It doesn’t look like Shaw will make it. Another muscular injury setback.
Sack Mainoo off for Adam Wharton (from a totally non biased palace fan)
I’d look into whether Olise’s head can be turned after the France snub
This would be a no-brainer. I’d easily take him over Maddison and Bowen.
How did you do this?
Solanke over Toney and honestly Ollise (if he’ll take the call up) over Grealish (and I say that as someone who loves Grealish but his form this year has been piss poor). Imagining Eze and Ollise as dynamic subs for a 1-1 game or a 2-1 down with 20 mins to go is an incredible idea.
Given Olise has played for France at youth level I'd be surprised if he's not wanting to play for France
I believe he could be tempted….. depends on his bonds with his teammates at palace etc, if they’re called up…… it’s mad to thing we could potentially have 4 England internationals from palace tho, real credit to them as a club
White would be great if they could agree to bring him Back under Southgate Solanke has been awesome all year Also controversial but Gibbs-White for Forest has been great also, would be worth being a super-sub and played great for under-21s
White doesn't like the bench.
I think Harvey Elliott should be in with a shout. Don't see it happening though.
Will never happen whilst Kane is captain.
Do you not think Dan burn has earned a place on the left after his season? I'm a bha fan but even I think he's been solid.
I think England need more central midfielders. Rice and Bellingham are mainstays but is still like to have someone a bit more senior than mainoo also on the bench alongside mainoo. Any suggestions who that could be? Also there’s quite a few players here who are not in good form but key players for England like Maguire shaw Maddison and grealish.
TAA would probably play in midfield
Why on earth have you mixed midfielders and strikers?
It was like that on the website
I think we need a penalty specialist goalkeeper like Forster
We should just play 10 up front
Man we really need more left backs what about Mitchell?
2 central strikers is a gamble as is only taking one proper holding midfielder in Rice. Gallagher runs hard but isn’t a number 6 and Mainoo won’t play as a lone DM I reckon he is going to leave one of the number 10s at home, Maddison is my guess.
Wouldn't take Reece James, too much of a liability, you just know he'll get a red.
Wharton probably won’t go, but with a larger squad now, there’s an argument for taking a player like him just for the experience. He’d then be much more ready come the World Cup. In terms of your squad, I wouldn’t bother with Reece James given he’s not been playing and there are 3 other right backs there. I’d take konsa over guehi too but that’s not a huge one. I really wish Phillips career didn’t go downhill because we have too many attacking players and not enough defensive / box to box midfielders.
Shaw and James don't stand a chance. Replace with Mitchell/Chilwell and Gomez. I don't see a world in which Bellingham and Foden are fit and Eze or Maddison go, let alone both. Maddison flat out doesn't deserve it based on the second half of the season and Eze is a bit unlucky. With the sudden influx of talented, left footed, right sided attackers, I can't see how England's 4th (5th if you include Olise) best one in Bowen goes. Unlucky for him really. Henderson will and should go for dressing room leadership purposes. And he will take Toney (outside chance of Solanke) as a more like for like Kane backup compared to Watkins. Think that leaves me with one spare spot which I'd give to Wharton. Or maybe Rashford.
James is a question mark for me. Top quality talent when not injured, but so injury prone it makes me wonder if we shouldn't give someone else the chance and build them up for consistency and stability than gamble on James every international break/tournament.
Good list. Imo I'd add Mitchell instead of guehi as well Solanke and swap out Eze. Based on the last few months, Mitchell showed he can do the job at left/wingback for palace. And other than Solanke England doesn't have a proper big man that can help with link up play as well as Kane. Watkins is more of an Owen type of player and he relishes in between spaces.
If Kane or Rice get injured we don’t have alternatives. Watkins is not the same kind of player. Toney seems the obvious target man but he’s nowhere near Kane. Henderson is playing in a second class league. You might consider Stones or TTA as part of mid 2. I would thin out the midfield. We have world class alternatives in Foden and Bellingham. With Palmer we are strong. Central defence is very weak.
With his form for Dortmund I could see Sancho getting in but I don't know who I'd remove for him
Joe Gomez should be in there! Playing some of the best Football of his career & can play anywhere in the back four! Also you've got four right backs in your squad should only really take two?
Southgate loves playing Trippier at LB
Ok Fairpoint but you're still got three RB & before you say it Trent can't play in the midfield!
I’d think about picking Gomez, purely because he can cover anywhere along the back line.
One left back in luke Shaw who is always injured. Trippier I wouldn't start in the LB position. Where's chillwell, colwill, Dan burn, Joe gomez etc? Why you got 4 RB ffs.
Southgate likes playing Trippier LB, and it’s just a bit of fun ffs There was so many options
True, If we're doing southgates starting x11 Where's kalvin Phillips? The Yorkshire rodri
I thought harry maguire isn’t in the squad anymore
I'm almost certain Reece James doesn't go. He's spent the majority of the season injured. He'd be 3rd or 4th choice RB and has next to no match fitness. A more sensible choice would be a Konsa or Gomez who can play at both CB and RB. Otherwise this seems spot on, although I can see there being a choice between Grealish, Rashford and Bowen (Bowen deserves it on form and merit but the other 2 are more integrated in the squad and poster boys for England).
Get rid of Shaw
Goe Jomez
James? He’s made of wotsits
I’m sure I heard recently, as France didn’t pick him, Olisse can still play for England… I’d take him over Maddison
Fucking hell the attacking options are insane.
As a Chelsea fan... James and Shaw aren't fit enough, Maguire and Pope haven't played enough. I'd add Johnstone over Pope, Colwill Konza or Gomez and Dier.
Olise is still uncapped
Joe Gomez for Reece James
Dunk
No Ben White is criminal. But then again, he doesn't like soccer so he probably wouldn't even want to play.
Unpopular opinion but I would 100% have AWB in the setup. He offers something absolutely no other defender in the world can offer against pacey wingers. Would be perfect in an attacking setup to deal with counter attacks. Edit: If not a starting option, he offers something off the bench that - if used correctly - could change games.
Love the guy but I’m in shock that James is on there, wtf
let's try out MGW in the squad. he's proven himself this season, more than some of the CAMs chosen
Why does this squad have 4 right backs?
Trippier can play LB and Walker can play CB if needed, also was hard to leave players out
Swap james for chilwell
Kane Palmer Eze Foden Bellingham Rice Chilwell Stones Walker James Pickford Lacking in good CBs, wouldn’t trust Branthwaite there yet
tbh for experience rashford over maddison and olise over grealish but it wont happen so
I feel like Rashford is getting in ahead of Bowen because he has the "moments" in him. Southgate might also want another backup striker in Toney, probably in place of Eze or Gordon. If Nick Pope is still injured then probably someone like Trafford would come in
villa made CL and not a single player makes the team ........ hmmmm
Watkins is there
yes u right my bad I thought I did see it but when I looked at it I couldn't see it lol
Sterling will get in
The delusion in people picking ramsdale over Pickford still is astounding.
It’s a random order
Going to a major tournament with no pace up front lmao. Classic
Joe Gomez has earned a spot and could play LB even
i can see him taking dier or henderson just for the dressing room. I’d also personally take wharton but southgate won’t. Rashford definitely goes, bowen and eze dont go be serious they won’t get minutes and nobody gets on with them really.
I’m biased but I’d put Dan Burn in ahead of Maguire
i don't know who he's gonna replace, but Adam Wharton is him! and this squad really needs a quality player at that position and he can fill in that role. Crazy how england has been looking for a world class DM for years now (stuck with Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips lol), and now they got Rice, Mainoo, and Adam wharton coming up. tho i see rice more of a box to box. i rather take adam wharton than eze from crystal palace if it was up to me. i can't see eze getting minutes at all, while i can see adam wharton playing a role. who cares if it's too early? good national team thrive off picking up young player who are on form. heck, im a chelsea fan, but get reece games out of here and put it adam.
Defence looks a bit shaky tbh. Though I assume rice will play in defence for Southgate Forward/mids is genuinely mad. This team absolutely must win a trophy
Drop Branthwaite for Konsa, and Maddison for Wharton and you have a winner.
Where is Henderson?
Wouldn’t have shaw or trips in there I’d go with Leif Davies at Ipswich
You just know he’s taking Henderson & Phillips
We need Olise in there, before the french get to him...
They put Mainoo’s value down but what about the others?
I feel Gomez deserves to play, he's been so good when played LB position for Liverpool. Doesn't need to go forward
Got to drop someone for Rashford, otherwise Gareth will get upset
Reece won't be going, imo
Guehi has been out with an injury recently so I’d put tomori in over him
Grealish has barely been fit all season, leave him home and give someone else a chance.
No Mainoo
Feel like Mitchell needs to be picked as back up left back but he won't
I worry about the defence. A lot coming back from long injuries and then having to play tournament football.
I’d have Gomez and Quansah from the Liverpool squad in their personally. They’ve been playing at a super high level for one of the best teams in the league all season.
tomori, dier or konsa surely
No joke I wonder if we’d see a call up for Dier… I’m not against it
Ideally I'd put in another left footed LB and possibly another defensive minded/disciplined midfielder. I know they can play other positions but you essentially have 4 RBs and a lot of players who can play across the front 3/4. I don't know who those players are though
Gomez for versatility at the back.
No rashford. He's a must
I'd take out Maddison possibly, been in poor form, and England are stacked for no.10, wide positions. Will he even get any minutes? Surely Palmer, Grealish, Gordon get subbed on before him, and then there's Bowen. I'd take Toney, even if he's also been crap lately, because he's different.
Luke Shaw played 12 league games this season and hasn't played since February.
Is Maguire better than Quansah? If not, then why is he being picked?
As much as I don't think he should be on the pitch, I'd actually take Henderson, especially for a 26 man squad. We're not going to use everyone anyway and his leadership will be important. Reece James doesnt need to be in that list, so drop him for Hendo
white strengthens that defence, Maddison doesn't deserve to go he has been useless second half of the season
I would like to see Mitchell go we need a specialist LB to cover for Shaw. And not seen much of palace bur everytime I have he's been outstanding
Where is Tomori?
gomez is needed we cant get away with only shaw as a left back gomez over james for me
Wouldn’t waste a spot on James, I’d drop Gomez in for his versatility
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^willgeld: *Wouldn’t waste a spot on* *James, I’d drop Gomez in for* *His versatility* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Konsa? Solanke? I’d even take Gomez as he can play in 3/4 positions
I think this is excellent. Two things I would change is guehi for tarkowski and chilwell for shaw, I just don’t think he will be fit in time
One left back?
ben white should definitely be in
Leif David from Ipswich Town has assisted the most out of anyone in English football over the last two years. And he’s a left back
I know this is counter intuitive, because Kyle Walker is such a strong, fast defender, but I'm always concerned that when playing for England he's going to switch off at some point and cost us dearly.
Konsa has had a good season overall despite moving between right back and centre back. Always gets overlooked but is great on the ball, great tackler and hardly ever gets dribbled past. If Cash was available more he’d been CB and probably stood out more
I’d be sending Ezri Konsa in place of Reese James. Konsa can play both CB and RB and done it all season. James has played 5 games
I know nobody really knows what's going on, but Ben White is better than all of those defenders. Maybe stones is on his level. Trent doesn't really count as a defender.