England Senior National Team General Discussion Thread

Maybe not in his case but there are issues about having a fair bit of the 23 consisting of out of form / not regularly playing players.

 

The words 'mountain' and 'molehill' are springing to mind here Fireburn mate.

History tells us England usually play the same keeper throughout a tournament. We've got a decent number one in Pickford who is rarely injured. If by some chance he is, Sam Johnstone is a more than adequate replacement. No problem.

And if Dean Henderson does play his way into the reckoning, fantastic. I'm sure the last thing Gareth will see that as is an 'issue'.

 

If you ever wonder why people get irritated with your negativity, re-read this article and ask yourself whether the tiny paragraph you extracted was representative of the overall tone or contained any new information or insight whatsoever.

This is Gareth Southgate and England’s golden chance to win Euro 2024
The England manager could not have asked for a better draw - now they must complete the job

The last rodeo perhaps for Gareth Southgate, and some of the players who have sustained the England manager’s change in the fortunes of the national team, will begin in June next year with one of the kindest draws the Football Association could have wished for.

The expansion of Uefa’s great tournament to 24 teams has taken the edge off what was once a 16-team sprint from the very start, and England’s group of Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia only serves to underline that. “You have to be very careful about assuming things when you see these draws,” Southgate offered politely post-draw, having also noted the merits of Aleksandar Mitrovic, the Serbia all-time leading goalscorer who took the Saudi Pro League gold this summer.

It can also be safely assumed that if England do not emerge from this group then it will have been the worst Euros since 2008, when Steve McClaren’s team did not make the tournament proper. Mitrovic has 13 goals in 13 league games for Al-Hilal, suggesting he is finding it even easier there than he did in his three seasons in the Championship.

Southgate will know that England have rarely been in a better position to win a tournament. If they win Group C, with the nearest rival Denmark, 16 Fifa ranking places below them, then they would not face a fellow group winner until the semi-finals.

Even the delayed Euro 2020, with the semi-finals and final at Wembley, did not present as great an opportunity. That came earlier in the cycle of development for England and the current side, the two most recent performances aside, looks like it is coming to the boil. Under Southgate the tournament record of semi-final, final, and quarter-final has been a huge improvement. The form of Harry Kane and the emergence of Jude Bellingham, means that Southgate has two of Europe’s leading players. Beyond is a group very close to that status in Declan Rice, Kyle Walker, Bukayo Saka, John Stones, and Phil Foden - with the promise that there may be more to come.

The quality of those who can no longer get in the squad – or will miss out now the limit is back down to 23 - will demonstrate how strong the pool of players has become. Even the third midfield starting place after Rice and Bellingham, which long seemed to be available, looks like it could now belong to a new England midfielder – and former England right-back – Trent Alexander-Arnold. His metamorphosis has become one of the great stories of the season. At last he looks like a fit.

This could yet be the last tournament for the England manager, who has a contract until December next year. There are players too who may declare on their international careers after next summer, and among them some who have been major figures: Walker, Kieran Trippier, Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson and perhaps even Stones. Raheem Sterling seems to have been retired as long as Southgate is manager.

The beauty of the modern English development system is that there are others from the younger generation already jostling for position, and there is a chance that some may do so before the summer. Too often in the past, England managers were obliged to hang on to superannuated stars well past their peak – or even recall them from retirement. That, mercifully, is no longer a problem.

European championships were much better when it was just 16 teams battling it out for eight quarter-final places. Post-1996, England’s record was pretty dismal until 2021 but at least the tournaments were intense. Uefa’s 55 nations do not have enough quality to sustain a truly engrossing 24-team competition. At Euro 2012, the last 16-team tournament, England were out at the quarter-finals stage by June 24 – by which time in Germany next summer they will not even have played their final group game.

If England win the group and reach the semi-finals next summer they could face either Belgium or France, both of whom have beaten England at the two World Cup finals at which Southgate has been in charge. If there is a group of death then it is Group B where Spain, Croatia and Italy have landed with Albania, who qualified as group winners. In Group A, where Scotland will play the opener against Germany, it looks dangerous for the malfunctioning hosts. Hungary and Switzerland make up the group.

The tournament feels more manageable than the immense distances fans must travel in Fifa’s next two World Cup finals – the first of which will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada, and setting new records for the longest distance between two venues. All of England’s group stage will take place in three cities – Gelsenkirchen, Frankfurt and Cologne - within three hours’ drive of each other. Win the group and progress and England will stay in the same west German bubble – Gelsenkirchen, Dusseldorf, Dortmund.

If that is to be the route then beyond it lies Berlin and the final on July 14, deep into the summer. A pivotal tournament for this England generation and their experienced manager – and if it goes well, he may fancy one more shot at the big one.
​

 

I think he's had a case for being world-class for a long time, in truth. Nobody scoffs if you call James, Walker, or Alexander-Arnold world-class, but who's actually been the best full-back for the national side over the last few years? You can make a case for Walker but I would go for Trippier.

 

I don't know, seems a bit unfair to reduce it down to the 2 Premier League games when he's played the full 90' against the following sides this season:

Newcastle vs Man City (League Cup)
Man Utd vs Newcastle (League Cup)
Dortmund vs Newcastle (Champions League)
Newcastle vs Chelsea (Premier League)
PSG vs Newcastle (Champions League)
Newcastle vs Man Utd (Premier League)

 

🚨: Understand that Nick Pope will require surgery on his dislocated shoulder.

Meetings and scans held today to determine best course of action.

Operation will take place this week — expected to rule the #NUFC goalkeeper out for at least four months.https://t.co/uuGZrgFvXm

— Jacob Whitehead (@jwhitey98) December 4, 2023

 

Sterling hasn't been retired by Southgate. My guess is if Sterlings form for Chelsea continues to be good Southgate will pick him. I think it was part looking at other players and part trying to light a fire under Sterling. If I'm wrong then hes dropped him non footballing reason.

 

With Sterling it seems like a lot of journalists have all assumed he won’t be ant the Euros even if his form pretty much demands it. It is a big puzzle and really odd. For several years he was the main controversially selected player when not always in form for country or club and now he is suddenly and abruptly out,

 

Most Journalists are as clueless as the rest of us.

 

🚨 Arteta: “I want Aaron Ramsdale with us. I am very happy to have 2 very good goalkeepers and Aaron is staying with us”.

“He’s willing to play. Like any player, he wants to play for Arsenal. That’s what he wants to do”. pic.twitter.com/lbxcXjcg46

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 4, 2023

CC: @England 📩 pic.twitter.com/oBbgwuUlQu

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) December 4, 2023

 

Pope's England team-mate Aaron Ramsdale would also consider a move to Newcastle, but the Magpies are reluctant to meet Arsenal's £50m valuation of the 25-year-old. (Talksport)

Manchester United players are said to be questioning Ten Hag's playing style and treatment of England winger Jadon Sancho, 23. (Sky Sports)

Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for England striker Eddie Nketiah, 24, in January. (Football Transfers)

Newcastle have taken the first steps towards signing Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, 28, in January. (Rudy Galetti)

Juventus are also keen on former Leeds midfielder Phillips and could attempt to sign him on loan in January. (Metro)

 

‘Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson says there is a disagreement between Eberechi Eze and the club’s medical staff over when the 25-year-old will be able to return from injury.

Eze sustained a left ankle injury during the 2-1 loss at Luton Town last weekend. Hodgson confirmed during the week that the attacking midfielder had suffered “high ankle ligament” damage and was to see a surgeon.

Hodgson was again asked for the latest on Eze’s condition following Palace’s 1-1 draw at West Ham United on Sunday.

“The update is a little bit up in the air because Eze is seemingly of the opinion that he will get over this injury quickly and be back before you can say, ‘Jack Robinson’,” Hodgson said, “whereas the medical staff think he will be out for a long period of time.

“I know what I want, but I don’t know what I’m going to get. I think he’s going to attempt to train with us over the next couple of days, which is great, that’s extremely positive, but I don’t know quite how optimistic I can be.

“The medical people are telling me the injury is such that it will take a longer period of time to recover from.”

Eze previously missed three games in October with a hamstring injury, before returning as a substitute against Burnley at the start of November. He made just two starts, one against Everton and the other against Luton, before sustaining this latest problem.

Palace are already without key defensive midfielder Cheick Doucoure, who looks likely to miss the rest of the 2023-24 season after sustaining an Achilles injury during the Luton defeat. Rob Holding, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi and Dean Henderson are also on Palace’s injury list.

Hodgson’s side are back in action on Wednesday when they host Bournemouth.‘
https://theathletic.com/5108190/2023/12/03/eberechi-eze-injury-palace-hodgson/

 

Odd that he'd make this public.

 

Quite concerning, really. The medical staff are highly likely in the right here but if Eze decides to push through his injury he could end up doing serious damage that jeopardises his career.

 

It feels unusual but Roy Hodgson has always been one to be quite chatty and open.

 

Solanke does seem to be more of a Kane type player then Watkins.

 

‘Hodgson says Eberechi Eze is working hard to return after injury: "He still has an ankle injury. He is pushing hard to get fit as soon as he possibly can, but unfortunately he hasn’t been able to turn that corner yet which will enable him to declare himself fit to train with the team and to play. He is very keen to get back as soon as he possibly can, and we will continue monitoring it on a daily basis." ‘

 

I wonder if Eze is being advised by a independent fitness trainer. I know some clubs have been concerned by the rise of these types of people training and advising players on their regimen and fitness outside the club.

 

Almost certainly. It’s very very common among the London clubs in particular.

 

Always thought Barkley was better as a CM than as an AM. Interested to see how he does against Arsenal. Presumably no chance of a late surge.

 

Luto

To be Honest you'd think he be advising him not to come back to soon.

 

Lots of English goal involvement in Luton v Arsenal

Goals for Oaho, Adebayo and Barkley and assists for Doughty (X2j, Townsend, Saka and White.

 

The young lad Barkley in Lutons midfield looks handy.

 

Declan Rice scores a 97th winner for Arsenal.

 

Does Raya start for Spain? Hopefully he does if we end up playing them. Absolutely atrocious goalkeeper.