England Senior Team General Discussion Thread

We have so much talent at the top

it’s the bottom that’s the worry

 

Fair enough. I've seen more of Greenwood if I'm honest. The more good young English players the better I say.

 

In time maybe Foden could be the answer for the holding midfielder dilemma?

Pep Guardiola on @PhilFoden:

"A midfield player - in time he will learn to play holding midfield, because he can. When he takes the ball, he is aggressive against defenders, and shoots and scores. We cannot waste that. It is so difficult to find that quality."

[via @mancity]

 

Given how productive he is in the final third I can't help but think that would be a big waste of his talents.

As much as we have problems with holding midfielders, we still very much lack midfielders who I think can unlock defences (although the younger generations have a lot more players better at that than the current generation);

 

Yeah, I get where you’re coming from as I like him more as an attacking midfielder myself but I think he does have the attributes to play a deeper role as he’s press resistant, can pass through the lines, evades pressure, runs with the ball and he’s even getting much more stronger physically so all in all I think he has the attributes for that role. Also in the future like you say with us developing good attacking midfielders coming through, I don’t think it’s necessary a crazy idea if I’m honest. We would/could have a midfielder that can dictate our play for the first time in a long time which could be crucial against the better sides.

 

“ we cannot WASTE that “ ... yet he’s had about 4 first team starts ..

 

Yeah, I really don't think he's a holding player and I doubt we'll see him play there any time in the next few years. I hope he'll excel as a number 8 because England's need is greater there than further forward, but in truth I think his talents suit a 10 or a wide attacker equally well.

 

Yeah, can see him as an 8 also playing in a midfield three alongside say Rice and a Grealish/Maddison type player. Rashford/Sancho on one side, Sterling on the other and Kane up front.

 

Loftus-Cheek would still be my preference if he can get up to speed and stay fit. Did look a bit off the pace against Villa though, admittedly.

 

Though RLC and Mount were great when they came on against West Ham.

 

Greenwood with another goal. Hopefully Gareth is looking at him.

 

Greenwood is ridiculously good for his age, there’s no sugarcoating it! He’s a defenders worst nightmare, show him onto his weaker foot........right foot, left foot it doesn’t matter!

At this rate, Southgate is going to find it very difficult to leave him out of his International Squad.

 

Nice goal from Saka! Prefer to see him in the middle or left though.

 

Yeah, Pepe wife is in labour

I’d like to see him to the left of auba in this 343

 

Love to see foden greenwood and Saka linking up with sancho and Rashford/kane or sterling, we have possibly the best set of attacking players in my lifetime. Shame defensively we aren't at that level.

 

Eh take what you can get. Our defense isn’t horrendous, we’re just limited there.

 

The actual potential starting defence is actually pretty good - Arnold, Gomez, Maguire, Chilwell. Chilwell's probably the weak link there but he should improve with experience.

The main problem is the severe lack of depth (aside from right back).

 

I’d actually think about bringing White and Shaw into the next squad.

 

I think Shaw will be a cert but not convinced Southgate will include White yet before he’s proven it in the Premier League.

 

In terms of new call-ups I’d separate them into two categories;

impossible to ignore: Foden, Grealish and Greenwood

knocking on the door: White, James, Phillips, Barnes, Ings and Saka

The situation is complicated by the fact that Mings, Tomori, Mount, Maddison and CHO could find their places under threat despite being recent call-ups themselves.

 

Then you have the likes of Alli, Ox, RLC and Barkley coming into the mix with tournament experience.

Southgate won’t want squad turnover to be too high but he’s also pragmatic enough to recognise top talent.

 

Jack Grealish is due in court on August 25th which is just before when the call ups will be so I wouldn't be surprised if he misses out due to that. There's no way he's going to come out that case sounding professional and likely he'll be kept out the spotlight, at least for that months fixtures.

If we're to look at the last squad you'd expect Abraham, Wilson, Rose, Hudson-Odoi, Tomori and Delph to all be very likely to drop out so a fair bit of room for new entries.

 

First time in years we have had so much strength in depth. Remember being jealous of France pre 2018 world Cup when they left the likes of martial and fekir out. Now we are discussing leaving out deli Ali and the likes of Loftus cheek out. I would certainly take Saka greenwood and Foden next year. What great wild cards to have from the bench.

 

The problem for saka is he’s shown he is better than our other lb options, the problem is, I do t think he wants to play there

 

I still think Abraham will make the next squad provided he can bag himself a goal or two for Chelsea.