England Senior National Team General Discussion Thread

I'd argue Spain have more depth at CB too tbh, especially with Colwill's injury. Spain are significantly stronger on paper than they were at Euro 2024.

 

I don't think there's a massive gap between the top teams in the world cup. Spain England France Argentina Brazil Portugal possibly Germany.

 

When you think how much football the likes of Bellingham. Colwill and Delap played last season, including the club WC, it might be a blessing for England next summer that they've had this break. Ditto Saka

And good to see Stones, Branthwaite and Mount all back in contention for the weekend.

 

England’s 2026 World Cup shirt leaked…

Rating out of 10?

(@Footy_Headlines) pic.twitter.com/vHFP5wfkDi

— The England Pod (@England_Pod) September 19, 2025

This is supposedly our shirt for the World Cup. Seems like it's modelled on the 2002 shirt. I like it on the whole but I'd like it a lot more without that V line below the collar.

 

"Consistent" being the operative word. But it's not difficult to see why Tuchel likes him. Not just his goals last night but his all round work on the left which really exposed Newcaslte's defence. And I loved Tuchel's completely passionless expression in the stands when Rashford scored that amazing second goal!

 

It’s looks very dated to me.

 

I think for Bellingham its probably a benefit otherwise he'd have basically played 3 seasons in a row without a proper break, and he hasn't missed much of the season at all really. But Colwill's injury has all but ruled out him going to the world cup as he will miss almost all season, and Delap I don't think its at all to his benefit to be out for months when he had the opportunity to establish himself at Chelsea.

 

Barcelona are keen on England captain Harry Kane, 32, who has scored 95 times in 102 league and cup appearances for Bayern Munich. Kane is seen as an ideal replacement for Barca's 37-year-old Poland striker Robert Lewandowski. (El Nacional - in Spanish), external

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim will be given funds to pursue Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 22, in January. (Teamtalk)

Manchester United hope that England international Marcus Rashford, 27, continues to shine at Barcelona, who have an option to buy the on-loan forward for £26m. (Teamtalk), external

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has declined to comment on whether the Reds will revive their pursuit of Marc Guehi when January arrives. (Daily Mirror)

 

There are no English starters for Liverpool. Gomez, Jones and Ngumhoa are on the bench.
Pickford, Tarkowski, Keane, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall and Grealish start for Everton. Dibling, Iroegbunam and McNeil are on the bench.

 

Will be interesting to see Nico O'Reilly against Arsenal tomorrow (if he plays). Pep's been speaking very highly of him. He looks like a more natural fit at left-back to me compared to Lewis-Skelly. In reality he's probably not a million miles away from a senior call-up given the lack of left-footed options.

 

I think left back is really O'Reilly's only route to the elite level, his passing I don't think is good enough for a elite side, certainly a Guardiola side. Indeed that's probably his biggest hindrance to establish himself at City even at left back. There's a lot to like about him though, he also brings a physical presence that City often sorely lack.

I don't think Lewis-Skelly is ever going to be good enough defensively to ever remain there and progress properly as a player. Likewise he just doesn't offer enough on the overlap, he does a lot of good work coming drifting from left back to midfield, simply because he's a midfielder. He is still very young, though I don't think he'll want to let much time of his career drift past being a reserve left back at the expense of developing as a central midfielder.

 

There are no English starters for Wolves. Johnstone is on the bench.
Bogle, Longstaff and Calvert-Lewin start for Leeds. Justin, Harrison and Gray are on the bench.

Kilman, Ward-Prowse, Bowen and Wilson start for West Ham. Scarles is on the bench.
Henderson, Guehi, Hughes, Wharton and Mitchell start for Crystal Palace. Matthews, Clyne and Nketiah are on the bench.

Walker, Laurent and Anthony start for Burnley. Worrall, Humphreys, Edwards and Barnes are on the bench.
Anderson and Gibbs-White start for Nottingham Forest. Yates, McAtee, Hudson-Odoi and Hutchinson are on the bench.

Dunk starts for Brighton. Steele, Milner, Watson and Welbeck are on the bench.
No English starters for Spurs. Spence, Gray and Scarlett are on the bench.

 

Crazy to see Wharton back so soon

 

Kane scores for Bayern.

 

Jude is on the bench for Real.

 

Whoscored say he’s playing as a 10 behind Jackson, not sure how accurate that is.

 

Kane scores again, he is on an outrageous start to the season, already up to 10 goals for the season from his first 6 games for Bayern! Also has 3 assists already this season too. Still most the half of this game to go to....

I thought his game against Serbia was also the best he'd looked in his all round game for England in at least a couple of years also, so we can only hope he keeps it up. Hopefully he's not ran into the ground by Bayern, especially given they have Jackson there as well, and its unlikely they're going to have much competition for the league this season. Tuchel could also do with resting Kane more than he has so far also, if we're being fair.

 

Calvert-Lewin scores.

 

He's got basically 2 goals in every 3 games in his club career

 

Kane hat-trick.

 

The gut is insane. I wouldn't swap him for anyone

 

Bowen scores.

 

Maguire and Shaw start for Manchester United, Heaven, Fredrcison, Mount and Mainoo are on the bench.
James, Chalobah and Palmer start for Chelsea. Tosin, Gittens and George are on the bench.

 

The Brighton-Spurs game is kind of bleak. Three English players involved including substitutes (not counting Brennan Johnson, because there's no point), and all of them 33 or older.

 

One of the main reasons I was happy he went to Bayern is that they generally play fewer games (only 34 league games and 6 domestic cup maximum). Combined with the winter break and the odd game rested and he should be fine.