England Senior National Team General Discussion Thread

The fullbacks I'd take to the world cup are James Hall Livramento and Lewis-skelly. I'd possibly take trent as well because he's too good to leave out

 

It’s a shame. Maybe things will change and we will get some decent opposition in March but it seems Tuchel prefers a camp abroad in a warm location to getting the best opposition possible

 

The more time Tuchel spends on the training ground with these players, the better for me, after last night's display. I can't imagine any top coach can have a significant impact when there's a game to play and so little opportunity to prepare for it. That warm weather camp could reap real dividends going forwards.

 

A much improved performance, like night and day compared to Andorra. I think the biggest difference was how quickly they moved the ball. I don't think Tuchel has a clue what his best XI is though. At least the midfield seems sorted which is no small thing.

 

It could. But I’m not sure it’s that likely - The FA have sold a broadcasting contract with so many matches so would have to pay ITV back (Nd probably with a penalty as well) if there are two less matches than expected.

 

England close on World Cup qualification. Impressive strength in depth. Still a debate over left-back and left-wing. If everyone fit (always a big if), England’s 26-man World Cup squad could be formed of (4-2-3-1) …

First XI: Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, Lewis-Skelly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Madueke; Kane.

Second XI: Henderson; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Colwill, Livramento; Gibbs-White, Wharton; Bowen, Palmer, Rashford; Watkins.

Plus Trafford (g) and three from: Lewis, Spence, Chalobah, Branthwaite, Jones, Gallagher, Rogers, Eze, Gordon, Foden, Grealish, Henderson and Burn.

Tuchel will definitely take Rogers and he loves Henderson and Burn.

Outsiders: Gomes, Mainoo, Solanke, Hall. Both Toney and Walker surely out of contention now. Age-group long-shot: Nwaneri?

What's certain is that: 1, England have strength in depth; 2, England have a very good head coach/tactician; 3, fitness will dictate selection (form is less of an issue for Tuchel favourites); 4, Single-minded Tuchel definitely not influenced by media campaigns for a player; 5, some big names going to be left out, as usual (Henry Winter)

 

What a stat

 

We have at least 3 players in most positions which is very encouraging.

Trent, Stones, Colwill, Shaw, Wharton, Foden, Palmer, Bellingham, Saka weren't even in this squad and would start for most top teams

 

Thomas Tuchel warns England’s big names: I am brave enough to bench you

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🦁🦁🦁 https://t.co/INqByM6brr

— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) September 10, 2025

Honestly don’t see Bellingham tolerating being on the bench I’m afraid.

 

🗣️ “There was no attitude after a mistake, there was no frustration, there was no waving, there was no eyeballing, there was no bad words”

❓Did Thomas Tuchel have Jude Bellingham in mind?

👇 Full story on latest forthright words from England boss…https://t.co/Zr4wVhWmVw

— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) September 10, 2025

Tuchel seems to be suggesting again he might only take 21 or so outfield players to the World Cup.

 

We are but a few months out from fireburn predicting Tuchel will start only 10 players at the world cup

 

Manchester United are eyeing a January move for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 22. (Teamtalk), external

Arsenal are advancing in talks to extend the deals of England winger Bukayo Saka and France centre-back William Saliba, with the pair, both 24, out of contract at the end of the 2026-27 season. (Teamtalk), external

Ivan Toney believes that if Al Ahli were in the Premier League, they would be close to the top four. (The Guardian)

Serbia are set to be hit with a huge fine following their fans' "dangerous" use of a laser against England. (Daily Mirror)

 

Back from Belgrade, and having rewatched the game on TV, the thing that stuck out for me, apart from always trying to progress the ball, was the willingness of runners to get up with and beyond Kane. Gordon often became a second striker off the left and he, Madueke, Rogers and even Rice were often the most advanced. There was nearly always an option to advance the ball.

I really hope that those in possession get the chance to lose the shirt rather than have it taken off of them, even if that means benching Bellingham and Saka.

 

Is Anderson really the new Gazza? Other than both being Geordies they not that similar as players to me.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...Thomas-Tuchel-build-team-Elliot-Anderson.html
I forgot about the fact until last season he wasn’t seen as super reliable on the injury front.

 

I'd say rogers is the new gazza. Even Roy Keane made that comparison. They're both strong, technically gifted

 

What a ridiculous comparison.

 

We'll likely never see anyone like Gazza.
What made him was that he technically superb, strong, but also mentally way behind any player that's going to come through an academy these days. Nobody is going to be given the leeway for the antics he got up to, and it was his almost child-like approach to things that helped make him the player he was.

 

https://podcasts.apple.com/se/podcast/the-game/id191105605

If anyone’s bored, thought this was an interesting listen about the England team and selections.

 

Mason Mount sidelined for a number of Weeks with injury,

Wonder how many English starters will they be in the Manchester Derby. Might only be Shaw for Man United but Man City’s lineup is unpredictable. With Trafford still start? Foden, Lewis and O’Reilly all back training but how many if any will start? Not sure about Stones.

 

benching big names is a healthy conversation. Saka is super for assisting but is he as direct as a Bowen or Madueke, for example? hopefully we interchange our talent based on the opposition, but that's something that came to mind.

tournament football is tough though as you also want to create that rhythm and balance.

over to you Tuchel