England Senior Team General Discussion Thread

Will be exceptionally annoying if Southgate is already heading in a direction that rules TAA, Loftus-Cheek, Gomez and others from playing in the U21 Euros.

 

Yeah what you said makes sense Gomez seems like a no-brainer (I hate that saying), and Barkley fair enough. On the other hand Sancho does play for Dortmund and if you're good enough to be a regular at Dortmund then you are good enough for England. As far as the other two go, Sessengon struggled vs Palace from what I saw and Foden is yet to really feature much for City putting them in the under 21's makes sense especially considering how stacked the under 19's are in offensive positions when every one is fit.

 

Loftus-Cheek has just played in a world cup, what's the point in him playing at a under 21 Euros? Give another kid a chance to prove and improve himself.

 

I think if they do well at their clubs well see mount and sancho promoted for the euros. Maybe sessegnon too but I think hell be a part of the seniors by then

 

I think it's beneficial for players to be the key men in pressure situations where they're expected to step up and be dominant.

People said the same about Barkley, Shaw etc. They didn't even make squads for the next tournaments. I think we should give our best players as much tournament experience as possible. Especially if Loftus-Cheek isn't going to be playing 90 minutes every week this season.

Sancho + Foden will be eligible for 2019 + 2021. There's no need to rush these guys through.

Just look at the Spain squad from 2017.

He made his under-21s debut last year and it can be revealed Southgate was set to invite him to train with the senior squad before the World Cup in May - only for Maddison to suffer a knee injury on the final day of Norwich’s season at Sheffield Wednesday.

About Maddison.

 

Yeah, actually I'd agree with that. These guys need competitive football, not just training.

 

that wasn't my point.

My point was that everyone loves to suggest the guys capped in the seniors are 'above' the U21s but they're often clearly not. None of them are established at the level.

If you think youth tournaments have no benefit, then fair enough.

 

I think you're making too much of the coach, baz.

I get that it doesn't help but it means they're put under pressure in a competitive situation. That HAS to improve their ability, even if it's only their ability to cope when placed into a difficult situation in a game, the wrong position, poor tactics or whatever. That will always be preferable to sitting watching it on the telly or riding the bench.

I mean, it's true they'd be better with a better coach but, nevertheless, if the alternative is them NOT playing, playing is always better.

YMMV!

 

Sure, I hate Boothroyd and think he's trash too. Don't think it's too relevant though, especially not to Potter's original point.

If an U21 Euros under Boothroyd is worthless for RLC, it's worthless for anyone.

 

Like just about all of us I'm on high Sessegnon, but I think Shaw's had a good start so I won't be surprised to see him get called back in along with Rose at this stage or perhaps we deploy Delph who looks comfortable at LB. Sessegnon should at least go with the U21's and the same goes for Maddison. I agree that Gomez should/would called up, but not sure about Barkley knowing Southgate because he's usually not consistent with his midfield priorities. I for one would like for Barkley to be picked.

If I was Gareth I'd pick Foden, but it's doubtful because he's not been getting lots of minutes for City, but you never know. Like you said there's three more matches until the international break.

 

For me, this is entirely dependent on how much Loftus-Cheek actually plays this season. If he's a regular at a high level, he'll be with England's seniors all season, and he'll also probably need a break next summer. If his minutes are more sporadic, he may not stay with the seniors and he probably won't need a break.

 

I agree, but I can see why he will want them to go forward. This Euro qualifying cycle is critical for Gomez to assert his place in the starting XI for Liverpool and England, which he's fully capable of doing. TAA has already done it at Liverpool and for me it's quite clear he's mainstay in the England squad behind Trippier for now. Loftus-Cheek atm is a different story because his position is very competitive at Chelsea while the latter have either nailed down or on the verge of doing so.

But yes, I'd like to see at least TAA and Gomez going to the U21 Euros. It'd be more annoying honestly if Foden and Sessegnon miss out because of senior call ups. We should remember that despite Boothroyd we have a pretty talented U21 group already.

 

At this stage, it would seem a bit odd to me to call Sessegnon up as a wing-back when he's playing as a wide forward for Fulham. He may end up moving back there, but it could be counterproductive to ask that he keep switching back and forth between positions.

 

Did he prove himself at the World Cup? I think he was underused, but I don't think he proved himself. An U21 tournament where he'll be starting is just as helpful for his development.

 

Shhhh, just a dream.

Only joking, of course he did.

 

I don't think it's a choice between the two though. We can have some fluidity between teams.

 

That's basically my view, I guess that's what I should have said in the beginning.

One of the things that most impressed me about the English youth set up was that their were no ringers. No senior stepped down to the u21s, no u21s to the u19s and no u19s to the under 17s. If players are going to these youth tournaments because it will aid their advancement great but if it is just to try and win an underage trophy then I don't really see the point.

 

I thought he proved he was capable of playing that at level.

 

I half think a tournament with Boothroyd could do more harm than good. He seemed to instil more cowardice than belief the last time out.