Toney is the only real surprise here, I feel for Watkins, but that's life, and Toney is a better choice. Midfield is not that strong, Mount and Phillips has a free pass seemingly, though I have to say I liked Gallagher whenever I saw him playing for Chelsea in the last few weeks. Guehi vs Tomori? I don't know.
Dreadful squad ., No TAA No Ben White No Eze He only really got the forwards correct .. Keepers are a given Maguire ( not being picked or played ) Chilwell always injured James always injured Dier - form ? Kyle Walker - possible 2 year jail ?? Mount - not picked / playing Phillips - not picked / playing Rice - dreadful form Maddison always injured Gallagher only just recently been playing Foden - hardly plays
Yep, another squad selection that just baffles. Maguire has started five league games all season and was dropped for being poor yet still gets picked, but of course Southgate is a moron so what's new. If a player isn't good enough for a Man U team in transition why is he good enough for England who have other options? Tomori and White left out is insane. In midfield of course he has to take Phillips, a player permanently injured, overweight, and not very good. Has Gallagher done anything at all this season except be part of a Chelsea team stuck in midtable? Mount likewise, although I can just about accept him being in. Toney definitely deserves to be in there but not picking Watkins seems a poor decision given his form. We will need another option if Toney gets a ban and just Rashford isn't enough. It's a shame Southgate didn't go after the World Cup because he seems to pick his same favourites regardless of form, fitness or whether they're playing and constantly ignores other or better options.
It is a dreadful squad although TAA hasn't been playing well and don't think Eze should be in given he can't even get in Palace's team half the time now. Watkins is on fire and should be in, and at least two of Skipp, Elliott and JWP (even if he does play for the bottom club) deserve a chance over Gallagher and Phillips. Dire can only play in a back three and isn't very good, shouldn't be in there, Maguire being picked again is a joke and no doubt he'll start, Tomori and White being excluded is insane given their club form. Not sure on Guehi either but rather him in the squad than Coady.
I agree with some of what you are saying, but you’ve gone a bit OTT in my opinion. You would seriously pick Eze over Foden? Foden is by far the better player. He might not be starting every game, but he’s still getting regular minutes. We have to be building towards the next tournament, and by then it’s extremely likely that Foden will be flourishing for his club. Also who are you picking over Rice? We don’t exactly have an abundance of options for that position.
Harsh on Tomori but the only selection that surprises me is Toney. I'm glad he's in because he's had a brilliant season but it seems very against Southgate's usual standards given the issues he's had off the pitch. He must have impressed when he was last with the squad. I think Southgate was always going to be loyal to the likes of Maguire and Phillips. Ben White not being in is no surprise given that something major happened for him to leave the World Cup. Personally I don't think Skipp or Elliott are ready yet either. I think I differ from many on here in that I don't think the squad should be picked simply on form alone. For someone like Phillips he needs some confidence so this call-up could help in with that. There's the squad dynamics and the bigger picture to think of too.
So what’s the starting 11 v Italy? I’m guessing the following… Pickford James Stones Maguire (Colwill is going to take this position long term) Shaw Rice Bellingham Henderson (Would have Maddison in here personally) Saka Kane Rashford
Terrible squad, much in line with what I said when Southgate signed another contract. He'll have his favorites and not get rid of old friends when it's needed to. Not building anything for the future here. At least 5 players that aren't good enough for their clubs.
Meh. I would have liked to see some new faces in midfield, maybe MGW but definitely Skipp. Philips taking a place is ridiculous. He had a good euros couple years back, but has barely played since then. For the love of God let it go and move on.
this is why people like me wanted Southgate sacked, fresh start under a new manager, but we were shouted down and the FA didn't have the balls to do it
No its no suprise to see Southgate sticking to his favourites and ignoring form and fitness. Its just frustrating, I personally feel this is a tournament too far and wish he had left. But having stayed, it wouldn't kill him to freshen things up a bit. I get its the first games back, but it all feels very stale.
“ Why not , he’s the second highest English scorer and playing great plus he’s eligible to play for his club “ Wasn’t that the case just before the World Cup ?!?!
Kalvin Phillips makes no sense. Unlikely to play and barely playing for his club. Just give a new cap a chance. Plenty of experience to allow someone new to come in at CM. Rest of the squad makes sense at this point. Maybe Tomori unlucky. Toney does feel like the logical alternative option to Kane.
Southgate shouldn’t be England manager , he’s taken them as far as he can and now he’s not picking players like Tomori over Dier ! He should have picked Balogun and now probably loses him. You have to have one eye on the future with squad selection! You can select a few players that aren’t in form but he’s got far too many players in the squad that not performing, shocking