2026 WC USA (et al): Worldwide Opponents Watch [all R's]

That's a perennial problem for England in midfield: how to meld a talented group of players into an efficient unit.

 

I think Kane legitimately had an awesome season for Bayern in a role very different from what England was asking him to do. And despite having a not very good tournament he still tied for the golden boot. He was definitely not at full strength but England wasn’t really set up in a way to take advantage of what he does best.

I would have sat Foden and used him as a backup to spell Bellingham or Saka as needed. Foden did not have a goal or assist in seven games so it’s not like shoehorning him into the lineup was doing anything. And that still doesn’t leave a spot for Cole Palmer, but that’s why it’s a great thing to have that level of depth and you can keep Saka fresh (and he has played so many games over the last two years).

I think they also should have given some run to Trent Alexander Arnold over Kyle Walker (who despite being the better defensive player was at fault for a number of the goals given cup by England this tournament).

I also would have brought a second left back instead of Shaw so they could have had some width earlier in the tournament when he wasn’t able to play.

I would also have brought Marcus Rashford who I think is the best left sided attacker England has. He didn’t have a great season but I think that’s more the mess that Man U is. But even without Rashford they could have at least played an actual left sided attacker on the left side.

 

This is why Southgate was saying they missed Kalvin Phillips. Not because he’s a world beater or anything but because he makes the midfield balance work.

But this is why as the England coach you just have to be willing to sit guys with big reputations so the team has the requisite balance versus trying to shoehorn guys in a lineup in a way that doesn’t work.

 

I think Kalvin Phillips is not nearly good enough to be a starting player on a top international team. What you gain from his providing "balance" you more than lose from the drop in quality. That sort of tradeoff is something to be weighed but I don't think it is a close call for England. Southgate seems to disagree.

 

I think the thing is he’s an actual 6 which allows you to play Rice and Bellingham in their best portions.

It’s the same thing at left back. Trippier is a better player but you’re better off with an actual left back there who might not be as good overall a player.

I think you want to put your best players in their best spots and then you fill in around them with guys who actually play the remaining positions in question.

 

And Spain did it without Pedri and Gavi and with Rodri coming off at halftime.

I thought they were unlucky at the World Cup, but the emergence of Nico Williams and Yamal added a whole new level of dynamism.

 

Their midfield didn't miss a beat as they replaced injured players. A sign of very good coaching and great depth. Zubimendi did a great job as Rodri's replacement in the second half.

 

Interesting article about the tactical trends at the Euros. More reliance on goalkeepers that actually stop shots, teams benefitting from more traditional #9s, less emphasis on pressing and more on countering, etc... I don't think any teams should get too caught up in the tactical trends of the moment, but interesting to see how things are evolving and you don't want to get caught trying to win in the ways the rest of the world has figured out either.

Euro 2024 tactical trends: Counter-attacks, youth, fast starts and comebacks - The Athletic (nytimes.com)

 

Overthinking it with England. Literally replace Mainoo with Palmer and you’re set. Then hope Kane is match fit, which he obviously wasn’t

that said, peak England on their best day still loses to Spain 5/6 times imo. That’s just how it goes. Talent is talent, and those Spanish outside backs are criminally underrated. But probably no longer

 

These are always super interesting articles post tournament. They did a good one post World Cup as well.

 

Kane did fine this tournament, except for the final. The fan abuse of him is inexcusable, though. He wrote a message to the fans though:

https://www.facebook.com/fabrizioro...ldnt-achieve-what-we-worked/1099173392010151/

“Heartbroken we couldn’t achieve what we worked so hard to. It was a long tough tournament and I’m so proud of the boys and staff for getting to the final. Ultimately we fell short of our target and will have to live with that but as we always do we will pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and be ready to fight again in an England shirt. Thank you to all the fans that believed in us and supported us to the very end!”.

English fans continue doing what English fans always do, though.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/violence-breaks-among-england-fans-115917389.html

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...d-fan-accused-assault-13-year-old-girl-euros/

 

Obviously the abuse is definitely inexcusable but I don’t Kane had a tournament up to his standards. He has the best season of any 9 in the world this year and his performance in the Euros was not that. Now that’s mostly due to coming into the tournament off injury and England not being set up to maximize his skill set. And he still tied for the golden boot despite all that. But this was not the Harry Kane we saw for Bayern this year or Tottenham the year before.

 

How can anyone hate Harry Kane, so rediculous. Similar level of stupid as laying into England’s black penalty kick takers (though I suspect the later was heavily Russian troll influenced). Just all around stupid.

 

A big reason I think Southgate will step away is because he doesn’t want to deal with everything that comes with being the England coach anymore.

 

with the coaching carousel this summer he would have great options both club and international.

 

Well he’d have to wait for club jobs to open but he’ll definitely have international interest and Crocker would probably try and hire him (which I disagree with).

 

People do indeed often plan to win the last war instead of the next war. Soccer tactics don't stand still.

 

Now it’s England fans who wants to hire Klopp

I think Southgate is done. If so Klopp may or may not want to do it. But the FA should sell Wembley to get himhttps://t.co/1WsODdU7E4

— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) July 15, 2024

I expect he’d also say no, but I think I’d go for Pochettino if I were them with Potter as my backup option. Howe would be a good pick too but I don’t expect he’d leave Newcastle for it.

Eddie Howe, Mauricio Pochettino, Graham Potter and Lee Carsley (as @talkSPORT revealed last month) are all in the mix to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager.

Understand Newcastle want to keep Howe, but would respect his wishes if he asked to leave for the role. Long way… pic.twitter.com/7lf9hYQCay

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 16, 2024

 

Today I've read on social media that Pochettino, Southgate, Potter, de la Fuente, all of the above except for Klopp are part of the great Crocker-led US Manager Search. Of course, the usual social media disclaimers apply...

 

Yes though Ben Jacobs is one of the most credible and well sourced reporters out there. So I give something he says more credence compared to others.

On de La Fuente the original source for that is Steven Goff and there’s very few people better connected within US Soccer circles. That’s pretty reliable.

In terms of the USMNT, the Potter, Pochettino, and Southgate chatter doesn’t come from particularly reliable sources. Though I do expect is to chat with Southgate at some point given the relationship between him and Crocker.

 

Top 10 per confederation using Elo ratings. OFC only has New Zealand high enough, including the rest makes the graphic much harder to read.



PS: Just noticed Panama got covered by Algeria, but it's there, the #4 in C-CAF right by USA.

 

Saudi Public Investment Fund to sponsor Concacaf. pic.twitter.com/yq4fZmVFpK

— Sam Kunti (@samindrakunti) August 15, 2024

So Saudi Arabia is for sure joining Qatar in the Gold Cup right?

 

Looks like Mason Greenwood might switch to Jamaica................
Mason Greenwood to snub England and make international return under former Man Utd boss Steve McClaren | Goal.com US

 

This seemed like only a matter of time as I don’t think England were ever calling him again.

I’ll be interested if McLaren is able to flip some more dual nationals not really in the England picture but who are holding out for the the future.