Southgate is at the San Siro tonight for Inter-Roma. Would appear he's considering re-calling Smalling.
Tried to think of the 23 that I’d take to the Euro’s: Pickford Pope Heaton/Henderson Chilwell Shaw Maguire Stones Gomez Mings TAA Trippier/Walker Rice L. Cook Winks Henderson Ox/Alli/Mount Maddison Grealish Sterling Rashford Kane Abraham Sancho Have I made any howlers?
Know it's a somewhat unpopular opinion as he's inexperienced but I'd take Tomori over Gomez. I like Gomez but sadly he is a shadow of the player he was 12 months ago due to his lack of gametime at the moment. Unfortunately I don't see this changing either this season. I'd also wait to see how Rose gets on under Mourinho before choosing the backup LB. Other than that it's a squad I like.
Didn’t see the game but by all accounts on the Roma forum, he was very good and many saying he kept them in the game so guessing it wasn’t a bad audition in front of Southgate. They even call him Smaldini! Lol
I seriously think its time that he considered calling Smalling up again. We really do lack his type of strong defender that loves doing the basics first and foremost.
He's pretty hard done by when people like Keane who also lack confidence on the ball have been playing ahead of him. I don't think he'd start but if you're in a backs to the wall scenario he's a great option to have. Certainly much prefer Smalling at the back than Stones if you're facing wave after wave of attack.
Jack Grealish is kinda suffering in comparison to Mount and Maddison as they’re playing in real good , attacking teams and have free creative roles and they both have one or two great holding midfielders behind them ( Kante - Juninho- Ndidi) BUT Jack is Villa’s best player and Captain .. he does both the creative and covering role . He can also play as the left sided forward position as Iniesta used to do for us occasionally He’s an amazing player and has been for about 5 years and still so young 23/24 ? He put in some fabulous performances when he was last in the premier league about 5 years ago at 18/19 years old
Honestly take reece james as back up to arnold. I think Walker's England career is probably over for now. Trippier isn't great but james has a good left foot too so could play left back as well
A bit worried for Hudson Odoi, hasn't looked very sharp lately. Not that surprising but the concerns about the effects of his injury have not been allayed yet
I'd take Walker to the Euros personally. I feel he's been very hard done by, always gives honest performances and has been very reliable for City this season. He's also a good character and knows what it's like to win trophies which doesn't hurt. I also agree about CHO, unless he dramatically improves it will be an absolute crime to take him to the Euro's over Grealish.
Walker is undoubtedly a class player but there are younger players coming through now. I think trippier and walker need to take a back seat and allow the young English rightbacks, Arnold, James arrans etc to come through
I've always liked Calvert-Lewin, who is not too popular here, but is having a good season, and if he would be just a little more prolific, then he could be around the England squad. He could bring something no one else could with his strength and ballkeeping. The ceiling is higher in his case than in Wilson's.
I've just made peace now with it. These awards are clearly an absolute joke with no meaning to them. Mbappe finishing ahead of Sterling was also a marketing thing I feel. Mbappe is/will be a bigger star but Sterling had a much better year, going further in the CL, nations league semi final, domestic treble in a country where trophies actually mean something. The major positive as I said a few weeks ago is that Sancho has clearly shown in his performances that he's likely to be the better player in the long run. Felix has talent and skill but has had very little impact on the big stage so far.
Not likely to be better, he WILL be better no doubt. Felix is lightweight. Sancho must be worth around 200 million. Hope he stays at dortmund for a while longer
What for? There's a tournament to be won. It makes no sense to move players aside for youngsters unless those youngsters happen to be better than them already.
Lovren going off with injury and Gomez moved to centre back and kept a clean sheet. I have no doubt if he gets a run he won't be moved so this could be great for England.
Sancho, kane, sterling, abraham and rashford are In fantastic form this season. Hopefully they can keep it going to the euros