England Senior National Team General Discussion Thread

Declan rice assist. White scores

 

Although he'll possibly still get picked in the summer, this World Cup will be a bit soon for him. By Euro2028 he will have an extra two yrs of learning (the defensive side of the game).

You also have to give credit where its due to Chelsea. Their academy has been outstanding for years now.

 

Harry Kane

Harry Kane’s incredible goal against Wolfsburg pic.twitter.com/CIF4GLlmDO

— Drunk Jack Grealish 🍻 (@DrunkGreaIish) January 13, 2026

This one last night was disallowed unfortunately, reminiscent of that Lampard goal against Barcelona.

𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗘!! 🌎 💫 pic.twitter.com/9qIIVg57W9

— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) January 14, 2026

 

Bale's explosiveness was pretty central to the player that he was. Hall will be a full back and can be one of the best about if things fall into place. Top clubs should be looking to buy him given that Newcastle seem to have to balance the books every season.

 

🎙️ Liam Rosenior. #CFC

On the absence of Palmer, James, Delap and Gittens last night...

'With Cole, the game came too early for him. Hopefully, he'll be available to train on Friday and hopefully be ready for us on Saturday. He had a little, minor strain in his thigh, and if… https://t.co/VE3EgufjoK

— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) January 15, 2026

Everton are interested in a deal for striker Callum Wilson, 33, who is in talks to end his contract with West Ham. (Athletic - subscription required, external)

Bournemouth are aware they could face a fight to hang on to English midfielder Alex Scott, 22, this year amid interest from Premier League clubs Manchester United, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.(Teamtalk), external

Sheffield United have enquired about taking former England midfielder Ross Barkley, 32, on loan from Aston Villa. (Pete O'Rourke)

Eric Dier is reluctant to join West Ham despite their interest in the player - Daily Mail

Barcelona want to sign Marcus Rashford on a permanent deal but want to negotiate a lower transfer fee with Manchester United than the £26m included as part of his loan - talkSPORT

 

Spurs just sold Johnson for 35m, so this Gallagher deal isn't even touch the funds the Lewis family injected into the club in October.

 

I understand the logic and like I say, I think he can turn out to be a very good signing if/when they put the right pieces around him, but right now they're getting booed off every week and are en route to another mid-table (or worse) league finish, which would be pretty disastrous.

They're 17th in the league for xG per 90 which is absolutely abysmal for a club as big and as rich as Spurs. Their xGA is much stronger (7th in the league) so their major issues are clearly on the ball.

They just need a passer to help them build attacks as much as anything. I'm not a scout but there are plenty of options that spring to mind: Lamine Camara, Bouaddi, Aleix Garcia all off the top of my head. It's a player type that's fairly abundant across the globe and professional scouts should be able to find a player if the team is in need of one.

I don't think there is such thing as a risk free signing either, even if they suit the league on paper. I don't think risk should be that big of a barrier to signing a player if the team is crying out for one of that type.

I get the idea of simply buying a player who suits the league purely because they're on the market, and I think that sort of recruitment is very logical as a baseline blueprint, but you have to factor squad building into your moves. Ignoring traits that every team needs (passing in this instance) isn't good squad building imo.

Let's see what else they do from here though. The thing about Gallagher is that he allows you to be quite creative and risky with other midfield profiles as he can cover for so many off-ball deficiencies.

How Spurs use him could also swing the pendulum a bit. If they don't sign anyone else, I think the signing could be more successful in the short-term if they use him further forward rather than in a double pivot with someone like Palhinha.

 

Tottenham's problems run deeper than just the midfield.
I can't remember the last time they made a good singing. Unless you consider the defenders they bought in recent years VDV, Porro, Romero etc, who everyone seems to rate as successes. I don't, I think they're defence is shit (inc the goalkeeper).

 

The sheer vitriol that a large amount of the United fanbase have for Southgate baffles me. Especially when you consider some of the coaches they have had over the last five years who did receive unwavering backing from not insignificant sections of the fanbase until the very end.

I don’t think Southgate would take United back to being an irresistible force at home and in Europe if he got the job. I also think there’s no way he’d do a worse job than Amorim and to be honest, think he’d do at least as well as Solskjaer, whose tenure is constantly heralded.

I also worry for Carrick. He did brilliantly with us for half a season when we had players like Akpom, Ramsey, Archer etc, the football was incredible. However, when they departed he continued to play the same way despite the drop in quality and we got exposed. We had a very poor home record in his final season and whilst he is a nice guy, his understated personality struggled to motivate players in the dressing room before games. There were so many occasions where we would look very flat and pedestrian in the first 20-30 minutes.

 

Is Tuchel hinting at certain players not having those. I also feel like this is surely pointing to Jordan Henderson and maybe Dan Burn going because they won’t complain about limited or no minutes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5y5lqq2p7po

It won't just be about talent on the field in the England head coach's World Cup squad selection 📋 pic.twitter.com/XXwJldorEP

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 15, 2026

 

if you read the full article, the subtext is all about creating that team environment and cohesion if they're going to be away together for an extended period of time. he just doesn't want any bad apples there. wants to create community.

 

He's a bloody hippie !

 

It still seems to me to be hinting at certain players who might benefit or suffer from this line of working.

 

Yeah of course he is, but he isn't hinting at anything; he's saying outright that he values good travellers, selfless squad players, and so on, and that he'll factor those personal characteristics into his squad selection. If he credits some players more with having desirable personal characteristics, then obviously the flipside is that he credits others less, but that's a bit different from saying that he's coyly calling anyone out. If he is, he hasn't given any indication of who they are.

 

Doesn't pretty much every manager say some variation of these quotes before every tournament? It's not like they're going to say anything else.

 

Having Steve Holland there will help him. I think he lent a lot on Aaron Danks at Boro, and they looked noticeably worse once he left for Bayern, especially responding in game to other teams changes.

 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Harry Kane is one of the most under-rated footballers in the world.

 

Talk in the papers that Tuchel is watching Lewis miley. I think it's a bit early for him personally

 

Aston Villa want to seal a permanent deal for England striker Tammy Abraham, who is currently on loan at Besiktas from Roma. The 28-year-old spent 2018-19 on loan at Villa and helped them earn promotion to the Premier League. (Times - subscription required)

Inter Milan, Napoli and Fiorentina are all contenders to move for Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire, 32, in January. (Tuttomercato - in Italian), external

Nottingham Forest and Brazil defender Murillo, 23, is being considered by Manchester United as they look for a long-term Maguire replacement. (Mail)

England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo could look to secure a loan exit if his playing time at Manchester United does not improve this month, with Napolileading the race for the 20-year-old. (Star)

Sheffield United have registered their interest in England midfielder Ross Barkley, 32, who is struggling for regular game time at Aston Villa. (Football Insider)

The same Daily Mail article puts Jordan Henderson as a certain call up but does say Lewis Hall is expected to be called up.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...ewis-Miley-England-Fabian-Schar-Dan-Burn.html

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Lewis Miley has been the subject of watching eyes from the stands of late, with England scouts checking on Newcastle’s teenage sensation.
Insiders believe the 19-year-old has a chance of being elevated to Thomas Tuchel’s senior squad, and that is supported by the presence of FA staff at recent matches.

Miley’s performances at right back have showcased his versatility and full back is one area where places are yet to be settled in the England squad. Likewise, there is an opportunity in midfield - Miley’s natural position - where the fourth slot alongside Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson and Jordan Henderson remains up for grabs.

But it was not just Miley the scouts were checking on, with Lewis Hall, Anthony Gordon and Nick Pope also in action during one of the matches in question. Indeed, the feeling around Hall is that he is almost certain to be included in Tuchel’s squad for the March internationals, should he maintain form and fitness. Gordon will be selected if fit, but Pope must again prove his worth after injury.

Meanwhile, Tino Livramento faces a race to be ready for the March friendlies, the last international meet before the World Cup squad is named.

As revealed by Daily Mail Sport this week, he is facing eight weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, and that would take him very close to the likely squad announcement date of March 20.

 

🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City advance on Marc Guehi deal as big approach has been made in the last 12h.

Manchester City presented important proposal to Guehi in terms of contract, eventually ready to proceed also with Crystal Palace.

Deal now closer with #MCFC. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 pic.twitter.com/WLBka7ueqO

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 16, 2026

Al-Shabab to offer Callum Wilson deal but there is other Saudi and UAE interest in #WHUFC forward. Talks over contract termination and could travel next week to Middle East. The 33yo has #EPL interest but set to explore foreign move ⚒️🇸🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 https://t.co/G9ajk9B5HI

— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) January 16, 2026

 

🚨 Marc Guehi expected to sign long-term contract with Manchester City 📝

📲 Read More: https://t.co/X2zDYjJNEQ#BBCFootball #CPFC pic.twitter.com/SgWck7jUeg

— BBC Sport London (@BBCLondonSport) January 16, 2026

 

Mens either him or Stones will be a bench option but it’s not likely both will start regularly for Man City in April/May.