Everton have the third best defensive record in the pl. People say pickford is garbage. Without him Everton would be much lower
I was just highlighting that both of them should be grabbing more goals and assists, in spite of one playing more central (and the other wide). And before Euro24, both were doing exactly that whilst they were the first choice wide players for England But absolutely agree Saka's had more influence on the game than Foden this season. He beats his man more often and gets in dangerous areas (more than Foden). But Arsenal's attack has been really underwhelming. I don't ever recall seeing a team win the Prem without at least one attacker having an outstanding season. As much as stats aren't everything, the below is very worrying. Going into Euro24; In the League alone, Saka had 25 goal contributions, Foden had 27.
Justin. Bogle and Calvert-Lewin started for Leeds. Longstaff was unused. O’Nien started for Sunderland. Rigg was used from the bench. Moore, J Jones and H Jones weee unused. Pickford, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Garner, McNeil and Dewsbury-Hall started for Everton. George, Iroegbunam, Dibling and Keane were used from the bench. Armstrong was unused. Humphreys, Worrall, Walker and Anthony started for Burnley. Barnes, Laurent and Ward-Prowse were used from the bench. Hill, Scott and Tavenier started for Bournemouth. Smith was unused. Henderson started for Brentford. Lewis-Potter was used from the bench. Shield and Donovan were unused. Gomes, Mane and Armstrong started for Wolves. Johnstone was unused. There were no English starters for Liverpool. Ngumoha, Jones and Gomez were used from the bench. Nyoni was unused. Tarkowski and Dewsbuey-Hall scored Garner got an assist. Rashford came off the bench tonight as Barcelona were eliminated from the Copa Del Rey
Maybe 5 years ago Pickford still used to get unfair flack but I think the vast majority of people nowadays accept he's at the very least a good keeper, and no one really questions his position as number one (which was never fair when they used to do it either).
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...69/kobbie-mainoo-england-world-cup-squad.html Calvert-Lewin - 5/10 Welbeck - 3/10 Mane - 2/10 Shaw - 4/10 Maguire - 6/10 Branthwaite - 5/10 Garner - 5/10 Dewsbury-Hall - 3/10 Morton - 3/10 Mainoo - 7/10 Rushworth - 5/10 Barnes - 2/10 Also the writer just assumes Foden is being selected and seems to want Anderson dropped because Forest are struggling.
England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo's long-term future at Manchester United is still up in the air as talks over a new contract for the 20-year-old drag on. (Mail - subscription required) Manchester United have no intention of selling English midfielder Mason Mount, 27, in the summer despite interest from Aston Villa and Fulham. (Football Insider)
I actually think Pickford avoiding ever making that move to a really big Champions League Club has allowed him to remain out of the constant scrutiny of the discourse And more importantly, he's avoided the inevitable accusations of being overrated, if he'd made an error whilst at the likes of Chelsea or Man Utd etc Staying at Everton for almost a decade has kept him at his best and he's been Englands best keeper in my lifetime
It's hard to believe he's 32 on Saturday. Two of England's best performers kane and pickford are both 32 this year and we'll find it hard to replace them both
I'd say the move avoided him more than him avoiding the move. I don't think any big clubs ever wanted Pickford. I think he was underrated for most of his career, and now just as he's starting to get credit his powers, in my opinion, are starting to fade. He's not having howlers, but there are some shots especially down low they are slipping in that never used to I sense. I could see this being his last tournament as #1.
Pickford, Stones and Kane have all been unbelievable servants and were a big part of reaching two Euro finals. What's noticeable is that all three came through the youth system before the coaching reforms of 2012. I did say recently that England need to blood in a new GK, a CB and No9 after the World Cup. We desperately need some replacements to start breaking through soon. They're going to have big shoes to fill.
Harry Maguire given a 15 month suspended sentence at the retrial of his case in Greece in 2020. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cgl55zk5417o
If you are going to move away from Foden fine but no journalist or person who desires it ever says how he drops out entirely. Maybe you add in an extra wide threat instead and hope you have luck with fitness in central areas. I just don’t think we have masses of creativity to just drop him for the sake of it. Even if Foden doesn’t start much until the end of the season I can still see him being useful as a squad option. He can get in between the lines in tight games and link play off the bench. That is not something you can rely on Rogers doing. It all boils down to bench options and what we need for specific games. It seems to be a high profile thing when Foden or Palmer get scrutinised far more than say Rogers who is unique but probably a bench role player that we shouldn’t rely on as a starter.
Yeah I actually think Foden will go for this reason. A between the lines presence is important and I think Tuchel might low key like the idea of him as a striker. Personally I just don't think I'll ever trust Foden to produce for England until I see it. I think I'd trust Eze (and even Mainoo) as small space players who can affect the game in the final 3rd for England more than Foden.
Foden is back starting tonight so that might help him. O’Reilly absent through. Rice doesn’t get an match off and is back starting. Ramsdale has replaced Pope. No idea if Tuchel is going to go for Trafford, Pope, Ramsdale or Rushworth for his third choice. Maguire and Shaw both start.
I assume Eze will get in as a wide option that can play numerous positions. So, he isn’t really a threat to Foden imo. Mainoo is one that is much harder to figure out. In theory he should be a CM option but nobody can be sure what Tuchel sees him as or how he fits into the squad.
Elliot Anderson finds the net from range to pull Nottingham Forest level once again against Manchester City 🎯@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Wp5o9RJKB8— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 4, 2026
I can't see Arsenal not winning this league. I said a few weeks back that they'll win it because they've got more chance of picking up wins when playing poorly compared to City. When City don't blow teams away they often just look soft. I knew after that 2-2 draw at Spurs that City don't have it in them this year.
Yep, and what a dreadful moment for the sport it’s going to be. Just have to hope that the teams who try to play football improve next season and make sure it’s a one off.
I'm just relieved that Shaw's injury against Palace at the weekend didn't rule him out of the WC like some of us initially thought.