I have a very good feeling about this euro. We haven't won a trophy since the year my father was born. I'm upset I won't be in England for the tournament
I would argue our Euro 2020 defence was similarly lacking but we only conceded 2 goals all tournament and none until the semi-final. That goal wasn't even the fault of the defence, just a really good free kick
Ben White, Reece James, Chilwell and Shaw were all fit/still playing internationals and Maguire hadn't yet had that crisis of confidence that saw him dropped by his club - I'd much prefer that defence to this one personally.
To be fair to Maguire, he's had a much better season individually this year than the last couple and he's always been decent for England, saying that I'd love to see Gareth give Quansah the chance to impress in the friendlies, he's been brilliant for Liverpool this season and improved the defence late season after replacing Konate. I've always been a fan of giving youth a chance in internationals as the opposition tends to know less about them by way of their age/previous impact.
I like him, I don't see him as good enough at left-back, and at right-back I'd prefer someone offering more in attack. As a back-up centre-half? Sure, but I would hope he remained a back-up...
That seems wild to.me, his 1on1 record is insane, and his ball playing is excellent. He's been one of our best defenders each game hes played. Not an offensive RB I get that, but a defensive RB in a back 3 or as a CB I would 100% have him starting.
As a defensive RB? Walker is more attacking but his pace is such an asset against, say, Mbappe. In a back three - possibly the same argument, but Konsa would be close to starting for me. I don't think we're likely to see England play much with a 3 though. Guehi is the only other likely option and again he's a fine player but not at the level of the core of the team.
Have faith mate. I find it ironic how defensive Southgate sets the team, yet doesn't select the best defenders. I reckon we have the attacking talent to win. This is arguably the best squad we've had since 66, I just wish we'd set up more offensive
Just need to score one more than them I guess. England have a horrible tendency to go in to their shells and drop deeper and deeper - been the case for 30 years.
We have the best attacking squad in the world right now. Our depth is incredible. I wish Southgate would set us up as an attack focused side. Obviously I don't think he'll do that, bur I'm hoping with the talent we have, it will still work.
Although against France at the WC and the last couple of friendlies I think we play too high.
But yeah, the difference between England and France at the World Cup was the defence. They got through ours with the chances they had, we couldn’t get through theirs despite all the possession and attack.
That hasn’t improved
The three best defenders England have are and have been guarding starters if fit… and Maguire’s very adaptable so slots in naturally, no ones looked so good to usurp him…. unless you move Shaw into CB… but then well the issue goes to LB instead.
Not going to lie, I'm a little upset Reece wasn't called up. I am biased, but he's one of the best right backs in the world when fit. He hasn't played much this season, but he'd still be valuable to our squad.
How does it? Literally nothing wrong with it, maguire stones and walker. Shaw is now being tipped to he fit aswell, it’s literally the perfect England defence that we have always had… I have no idea where this idea of our defence is missing when we LITERALLY have it..
Stones didnt play much for City during the run-in, Shaw hasn't played since February, Maguire's form for Utd is a constant debate (but is overdone), *and* he might not be fit for the start of the tournament. If Shaw doesn't make it we don't have a left-back in the side. If one of Stones or Maguire is out of form or injured backup is not at the level it needs to be. We are stacked everywhere else, but there is a reason the defence is a concern
Trippier also missed most of the last half of the season and didn’t look anywhere near his normal performance in the last couple of games of the season
I agree such a great player! Such a shame about all the stuff he went through/goes through if not for that he would still be a world class player. Shame at such a wasted talent
Can someone explain what happened to Dele? I've seen the prophetic clip with him and Mourinho, but is there any additional info? Was it a case of lack of desire? Too much partying? Injuries? Lack of training discipline? Girl problems? Too in his head? Too much top level pressure?
He's on record talking about how he struggled with his mental health and the image he had in the press of being lazy. That whole Spurs team seemed to decline rapidly after losing the Champions League Final. Poch saying he might leave if they won the final. They all seemed to capitulate the following season.
He recently did a candid interview in which he opened up to sexual abuse he suffered as a child and his ongoing struggles with mental health. The drop in form almost certainly ties in with those struggles, as he said he lost motivation after missing out on the CL with Spurs.
Wasn’t he also hooked on painkillers as a result of the mental health stuff as well? I feel for the guy. Such strength to come out and talk openly about it. Best of luck to him going forward.
The mourinho clip is so misleading. It makes dele out as some lazy guy, he wasn’t. He was always known as one of the hardest working and willing running players in the squad.
Unfortunately a bunch of hamstring injuries, mental health problems and getting addicted to some kind of painkiller/laughing gas (I can remember exactly what it was but the issue is way more widespread in football than is talked about) derailed his career.
He’s not really the player England need tbf we have plenty of creative players who like to float around the striker. A deep Lying midfielder who can dictate a game from deep e.g prime jack wilshire is what England are missing
Yep and that seemed to be the player Tottenham tried to turn Dele into when he started his decline. Most of his bad performances he was playing in centre midfield which was never where he played during his peak IIRC
Such a weird feeling watching this clip
A. Cole - retired, coach-ish in Chelsea
Rooney - new manager, fired, managing again
Barkley - new star, disappeared, second-wind career now
Dele - we know
Sterling & Kane - still active
Like how did we have all of them in the same squad feels like watching 3 generations collapsing in 1.
Kane being at euro 2016 and playing that iceland game is always a trip to me. I forget how long he’s been around.
Euro 2016 to me symbolised the final end/last remnants of the misery of the golden generation era and WC2018 the beginning of this new era. But it was really just Rooney hanging in there by 2016 really. If anything, Euro 2016 was more like a false start to this current era that Rooney and Hodgson’s continuing presence ultimately held back another tournament
I have a very good feeling about this euro. We haven't won a trophy since the year my father was born. I'm upset I won't be in England for the tournament
Defence looks dodgy af
I would argue our Euro 2020 defence was similarly lacking but we only conceded 2 goals all tournament and none until the semi-final. That goal wasn't even the fault of the defence, just a really good free kick
Ben White, Reece James, Chilwell and Shaw were all fit/still playing internationals and Maguire hadn't yet had that crisis of confidence that saw him dropped by his club - I'd much prefer that defence to this one personally.
To be fair to Maguire, he's had a much better season individually this year than the last couple and he's always been decent for England, saying that I'd love to see Gareth give Quansah the chance to impress in the friendlies, he's been brilliant for Liverpool this season and improved the defence late season after replacing Konate. I've always been a fan of giving youth a chance in internationals as the opposition tends to know less about them by way of their age/previous impact.
Konsa is quality and can play anywhere along that backline.
I like him, I don't see him as good enough at left-back, and at right-back I'd prefer someone offering more in attack. As a back-up centre-half? Sure, but I would hope he remained a back-up...
That seems wild to.me, his 1on1 record is insane, and his ball playing is excellent. He's been one of our best defenders each game hes played. Not an offensive RB I get that, but a defensive RB in a back 3 or as a CB I would 100% have him starting.
As a defensive RB? Walker is more attacking but his pace is such an asset against, say, Mbappe. In a back three - possibly the same argument, but Konsa would be close to starting for me. I don't think we're likely to see England play much with a 3 though. Guehi is the only other likely option and again he's a fine player but not at the level of the core of the team.
Have faith mate. I find it ironic how defensive Southgate sets the team, yet doesn't select the best defenders. I reckon we have the attacking talent to win. This is arguably the best squad we've had since 66, I just wish we'd set up more offensive
Just need to score one more than them I guess. England have a horrible tendency to go in to their shells and drop deeper and deeper - been the case for 30 years.
We have the best attacking squad in the world right now. Our depth is incredible. I wish Southgate would set us up as an attack focused side. Obviously I don't think he'll do that, bur I'm hoping with the talent we have, it will still work.
Although against France at the WC and the last couple of friendlies I think we play too high. But yeah, the difference between England and France at the World Cup was the defence. They got through ours with the chances they had, we couldn’t get through theirs despite all the possession and attack. That hasn’t improved
The three best defenders England have are and have been guarding starters if fit… and Maguire’s very adaptable so slots in naturally, no ones looked so good to usurp him…. unless you move Shaw into CB… but then well the issue goes to LB instead.
Not going to lie, I'm a little upset Reece wasn't called up. I am biased, but he's one of the best right backs in the world when fit. He hasn't played much this season, but he'd still be valuable to our squad.
He played like 4 games all season and got sent off in two of them. Ridiculous take.
Lol, well that invalidates everything you've said. He's played 1 game in about 2 years!!! Absolutely insane to be upset about that.
with this in mind, we are going out in the quarter finals to the eventual runners up
England won by 3 goal margins 3 separate times at the last World Cup.
How does it? Literally nothing wrong with it, maguire stones and walker. Shaw is now being tipped to he fit aswell, it’s literally the perfect England defence that we have always had… I have no idea where this idea of our defence is missing when we LITERALLY have it..
Stones didnt play much for City during the run-in, Shaw hasn't played since February, Maguire's form for Utd is a constant debate (but is overdone), *and* he might not be fit for the start of the tournament. If Shaw doesn't make it we don't have a left-back in the side. If one of Stones or Maguire is out of form or injured backup is not at the level it needs to be. We are stacked everywhere else, but there is a reason the defence is a concern
Trippier also missed most of the last half of the season and didn’t look anywhere near his normal performance in the last couple of games of the season
Says everyone.. every tournament.. look where that has got us 😂
Same. Finals at min. France, US, Portugal my top 3 faves
Dele Alli really was gifted. What a waste
Dele Alli made Premier League football look like a kick around with his mates.
I say this to anyone that will listen but young dele alli was immense. He had it all.
I agree such a great player! Such a shame about all the stuff he went through/goes through if not for that he would still be a world class player. Shame at such a wasted talent
Can someone explain what happened to Dele? I've seen the prophetic clip with him and Mourinho, but is there any additional info? Was it a case of lack of desire? Too much partying? Injuries? Lack of training discipline? Girl problems? Too in his head? Too much top level pressure?
He's on record talking about how he struggled with his mental health and the image he had in the press of being lazy. That whole Spurs team seemed to decline rapidly after losing the Champions League Final. Poch saying he might leave if they won the final. They all seemed to capitulate the following season.
He recently did a candid interview in which he opened up to sexual abuse he suffered as a child and his ongoing struggles with mental health. The drop in form almost certainly ties in with those struggles, as he said he lost motivation after missing out on the CL with Spurs.
Wasn’t he also hooked on painkillers as a result of the mental health stuff as well? I feel for the guy. Such strength to come out and talk openly about it. Best of luck to him going forward.
Think it was sleeping pills, but yeah, similar effects. It’s a sad story.
He got robbed and assaulted at knifepoint in his own home at the end of his last decent season too which likely didnt help either. Poor guy.
The mourinho clip is so misleading. It makes dele out as some lazy guy, he wasn’t. He was always known as one of the hardest working and willing running players in the squad. Unfortunately a bunch of hamstring injuries, mental health problems and getting addicted to some kind of painkiller/laughing gas (I can remember exactly what it was but the issue is way more widespread in football than is talked about) derailed his career.
He did an interview with gary neville thats really interesting. Definitely worth a watch. Its on YouTube
It is worth noting this game was right after the Paris terrorist attacks when it was clear the French players had way bigger things on their minds
Diarra's cousin was killed and Griezmann's sister was at the Bataclan apparently. I'm sure it had an affect on the team
Imagine our current midfield with a prime Dele Alli added into the mix...
He’s not really the player England need tbf we have plenty of creative players who like to float around the striker. A deep Lying midfielder who can dictate a game from deep e.g prime jack wilshire is what England are missing
Yep and that seemed to be the player Tottenham tried to turn Dele into when he started his decline. Most of his bad performances he was playing in centre midfield which was never where he played during his peak IIRC
Wouldn’t get near the team rn.
Looks so different tactically to the current team. It was pretty much shoot on sight.
what match was that?
Friendly vs France.
year?
2015
Wasn't this Dele's first start? Hell of an introduction. He was amazing around this time.
Such a weird feeling watching this clip A. Cole - retired, coach-ish in Chelsea Rooney - new manager, fired, managing again Barkley - new star, disappeared, second-wind career now Dele - we know Sterling & Kane - still active Like how did we have all of them in the same squad feels like watching 3 generations collapsing in 1.
Kane being at euro 2016 and playing that iceland game is always a trip to me. I forget how long he’s been around. Euro 2016 to me symbolised the final end/last remnants of the misery of the golden generation era and WC2018 the beginning of this new era. But it was really just Rooney hanging in there by 2016 really. If anything, Euro 2016 was more like a false start to this current era that Rooney and Hodgson’s continuing presence ultimately held back another tournament
What Bellingham is now is what Alli could have been 😔
You forget how good Rooney actually was. By that same token, it’s sad to see Dele Alli’s fall from grace. I hope he finds some form again.
Top quality goals.
"19 yeah old Dele Alli" Christ where the time gone, man? He's 28 now 🤣
When was this?
Nine years ago
Time for us to win a trophy after 60 years
Need to be rampant on attack to get anywhere but I can see it
Banger from Alli
England must be in a bad way if they've brought back Rooney
England all the way
Dele Alli was something in his day. What a peach of a goal.