Harvey Barnes is pushing for a place in the squad. He’s been brilliant most of the season. seems like we have a lot more options now, whether it’s players like Barnes, ward prowse or stones.
Things have really come together this season, this will be by far and away the strongest squad we've taken to a tournament since 2006 (and even then I would say we have more depth across all positions than then), barring injuries - which will be a big concern given the nature of this season. We'd actually be setting up pretty well for a 4-3-3 with the current players performing well, Maguire - Stones should be able to reprise their partnership with minimal fuss, but that battle seems lost. Even for the goalkeepers, Pickford has quitely settled down for the past couple of months and been doing pretty well.
Yeah I agree, I also think injuries will be inevitable but I can’t remember the last time I was less concerned about withdrawals due to our Squad depth unlike previous years where I would have had kittens and worry about having the likes of Livermore being called up. Kane would probably be my only big concern, as for the rest I think we have pretty good depth, even centre back and left back doesn’t seem like a complete disaster like a couple of years back.
This is definitely the most technically gifted/skillful squad we've ever had. Grealish rashford sancho maddison foden eze odoi sterling are all very technically adept. We still lack a midfielder who can dictate play but maybe jones will be that man.
Yeah, now that’s another conversation! How is Southgate going to screw with the Squad to over think and complicate issues that really shouldn’t be that hard to fix.
If Southgate picks Mount as one of the midfielders, I think we're fine for creativity. Grealish seems to have played his way into the starting 11, Kane's obviously a starter, and the full/wing-backs will be pushed up the pitch. The only question now is whether Southgate can avoid the apparent temptation to start Rice and Henderson together in midfield against stronger sides, which I still don't think is sensible.
Someone like Loftus cheek can still play himself into contention. Hes playing pretty decent for Fulham at the moment
Yeah but he won't, let's be realistic. I also think he was good-not-great against Spurs - encouraging signs given how much he's been struggling, but nothing to get too excited about just yet.
I think it was Kosovo at home when Southgate started to doubt his team’s capabilities when it comes to defending and I think that’s when he started thinking about going back to three centre backs and wing backs.
Whilst we’re talking about squad depth, I think a prime example is the situation when Luke Shaw can’t seem to get a sniff of a call up when I don’t think anyone would be concerned if he was called up to replace Chilwell or Saka but guess it depends on what system we play.
France are the benchmark when looking at squad depth. 2 years ago I was looking at them enviously now I'm thinking we are closing in on their player options hugely. That's real progression
Stones has to be first choice at the back in my opinion. He has been incredible this season. At defending and playing out of the back. Im just praying he can stay fit
All the praise is with dias but stones has been just as good. If we can get gomez fit, we have maguire stones gomez coady Keane as our options. Not bad for a weak area.
🗣 "You need to be able to look yourself in the mirror and say am I doing everything for myself and for the team."John Stones with an honest post-match interview about rebuilding his career pic.twitter.com/WY2qqzyktH— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 17, 2021 John Stones game by numbers vs. Crystal Palace: 120 touches (most) 117 passes attempted112 passes completed 11 attacking third passes 6 ball recoveries 2 shots 2 shots on target2 goals 1 clean sheet The Barnsley Beckenbauer. pic.twitter.com/tBC2YpXxfE— Squawka (@Squawka) January 17, 2021
Also, if as expected Tomori moves to Milan, he could become a serious option too especially if he can secure a regular starting slot however it’s probably unlikely in this current season though and he will be backup to start with.