England Senior Team General Discussion Thread

Agree he was outstanding tonight. Shame we couldn't push him to centre back as he has the pace and athletism to cover for any mistake that maguire might make

 

Every player stood up tonight for City. Everyone. Including Foden who belonged and looked as good any player on the pitch, bar maybe Walker and Jesus who had fantastic games individually.

Real Madrid's core a year too old now though.

EDIT: In response to the Rover above, yes, Sterling is a better player than Hazard.

 

I’m glad Foden starts and I think it shows Guardiola will play him - he has to be picked for England now.

I’d like to see him centrally though, he really isn’t a left winger and he needs to be played in the centre to get the most out of him IMO.

either way I think that’s where he’ll play for England, with him in midfield we should be light years better

 

First half foden was anonymous. Second half he played 2 cute passes into de bruyne and I think rodri. He has all the ability in the world just wish he would stop playing safe passes so much

 

I can't wait to see Foden start for England. He's going to make an immediate positive impact if we play him in a #10 or #8 role depending on what formation we use.

 

Henderson, Foden and 1 other in midfield.

 

So positive to see the fruits of our youth development starting to show now though. I see more and more English players making a big impact on the champions league stage in the next few years. We are getting there, just need to stay patient.

 

Anonymous is incredibly harsh imo for someone that was playing out of position and pressed incredibly well and got on the ball a few times and could have scored also. He was obviously being used by Pep in that position for the very purpose of fast press and you have to say it worked.

 

I think the context of the game has to be taken into consideration when assessing a player's performance. This was a champions league knockout game against the most famous club in the world, for someone who has just turned 20. I thought Foden played better against Liverpool, but he was still very assured and composed last night, and didn't look overawed by the occasion, he will get better and better. I feel we will see the best of him once he is truly established im the first team at City. He is almost there in that sense, but not quite 100% yet in the way Sterling or De Bruyne are.

Once that happens, he will be able to take even more risks and play with even more freedom, which will see him flourish fully into one of the world's best if everything hopefully goes to plan. Speaking of De Bruyne and Sterling, it is great that he has player's like that around him. One, because they are role models. Two, because every player is improved by being alongside other great players. Three, by having other great players in his team, opposition teams like Burnley won't be able to just surround him with three or four players and kick lumps out of him all game.

 

Do you think that Walker is ahead of Trippier as our ‘other’ RB?

 

I think it’s impossible for Southgate not to pick walker for the squad now. He’s played really well most of the season and was world class in my opinion against Madrid. He’s playing regularly in the champions league/ league and performing well.

posters might not agree, but I think he’s a much better player then say Wan Bissaka. Who is good defensively, but average going forward

 

Absolutely

 

Agree. Walker is still one of the best right backs in the world. But taa, awb and James are the future. Love to see walker involved somewhere, maybe as a centre back as he still has great athleticism. We have incredible depth at rightback, shame none of these guys could play left back

 

The one thing that hurts Walker is that his crossing/final ball is clearly a level or two below TAA and Trippier. Defensively he's superior and he would be in my squad, but I can see why others would be chosen over him, especially with limited numbers for a tournament.

 

Even without the Man City and United players, we can still cobble together a decent squad;

Pickford
Pope
Henderson
Saka
Rose
Mings
Smalling
Keane/Dier
Gomez
TAA
Walker
Rice
Phillips
Winks
Ward-Prowse
Ox/Barkley
Maddison
Mount
Grealish
Barnes
Sancho
Ings
Kane
Abraham

Have I forgotten anyone? Stones might have been involved had he played more. Likewise CHO and RLC.

 

Probably a few. Like Chilwell and J.Henderson. And you got at least a City player there.
Rose should not be called up again for England.

 

Chilwell and Henderson are both injured. Putting Walker in was a brain fart though. Might have to be James. Trippier will likely be rested because he’s still in the CL.

Who else would you have as LB though? Shaw and Chilwell are out. Taylor? Thomas?

 

Saka

 

I’d already put Saka. I meant who instead of Rose.

 

Oh. I meant Saka for leftback but maybe Fredericks of West ham

 

or Ryan sessignon

 

I’d rather Rose than Fredericks or Sessegnon. At least he has experience.

 

Fredericks is not a left back, Sessegnon basically hasn't done anything in this season. Charlie Taylor or Joe Bryan for me.

 

Who do we think Southgate will call up for the next squad? Any shock inclusions? I'm hoping saka, foden, greenwood get brought in. Also possibly Philips, grealish

 

I just posted my thoughts earlier today. Don’t think it would be wise to call up players involved in European competitions as they deserve a break.

Not ideal but we can make the best of it by calling up fringe players.