England Senior Team General Discussion Thread

I don't think dropping trippier for James is weakening the squad

 

its not Trippier who should miss out its Walker, btw neither Chelsea full back being talked about is currently starting for them, Alonso and Hudson-Odoi have been playing wing back

 

James has started some games, but it does appear that Tuchel doesn't fancy Chilwell. If he's not playing then that's a problem for him.

Walker's on the wane at City as well. Cancelo looks like he's now first choice.

 

White would be a good replacement for Walker at RCB if needed.

 

Leave Walker out and go with a back four. I can't help but feel part of the reason for the formation is to get Walker involved without playing right back.

 

Considering Southgate dropped walker from the three squads following the Nations League final entirely, I highly doubt he's fussed about trying to fit him in the starting eleven.

Walker gets picked because his recovery pace allows him to cover for the others. As a three I though him, Stones and Maguire complemented each other quiet nicely.

The real issue with this system is the midfield getting overran and lacking players with the ability to keep possession when talented teams press them high. Hopefully the likes of Grealish and Foden will go someway to remedying this - also why I would suggest Saka may be our best option at wing back.

 

I have a feeling Shaw has made himself unavailable for England. It just isn't public yet.

 

I don't believe that for a second. Southgate wouldn't have been talking about the possibility of calling him up if there wasn't one.

 

This, Southgate keeps mentioning his 'speed'. Don't get me wrong I think Walker has been a great player but he is not a CB, he got done at the world cup and he is very prone to making a costly mistake, he can't be playing RCB purely due to his speed. Him not getting game time may actually push him out of the team and be s good thing as I think Southgate wants a speedy CB in part of his back 3. The more the season goes on the less favourable this rigid formation is working for the players on form.

Stones is looking excellent, Maguire is back on form. I'm not sure who the third CB would be right now..

 

Ben White... decent pace, good on the ball and times challenges well.

 

Konsa is a good speedy defender

 

Realistically I don't think there will be any new faces in defence now. I'm not sure who starts, because Southgate has gone on and on in the past about players having to be getting minutes and also be playing the correct position (the reason he didn't pick Grealish for so long) so will he now use that same criteria on walker and Henderson? Somehow I doubt it..

I'm genuinely curious how he will line up if he sticks with the 3-4-3 (I prefer to call it 5-2-3 the way he lines up). Foden and grealish are almost first names on the team sheet right now you feel, but then that leaves no room for rashford, Sancho, sterling, greenwood..

 

I don't know that Foden is yet, for all that he's been brilliant in the league. If we were playing a tournament game tomorrow, I'd guess at a front line of Grealish-Kane-Sterling.

 

As for centre-backs, I'm just waiting for Guéhi to come through at this point. If he can step up to the level of the Premier League, he is going to be a lot of fun...

 

He'll start with Rashford/Kane/Sterling. Of that I have little doubt.

 

I think that we should be aiming to finish second in the group. We can’t go out hoping to lose or draw but we can make full use of the squad by rotating. Added benefit is that it helps to keep the players fresh after a long season.

 

Me too. Rather face Spain than Germany Portugal or France

 

Possibly Sweden or Portugal if I’m not mistaken.

 

I'm not afraid of Portugal. I think we can easily go toe to toe with them but Spain or Sweden would be alot less messy

 

My bad... I meant Sweden or Poland would be our likely opponents if we finished second. Spain is a possibility though.

 

I don't see that at all. He's been playing well for the team on top in La Liga. Add in his assists and free-kicks, plus his tournament experience. Definitely gives him the edge for me.

 

I agree. Trippers been brilliant for the best team in Spain at the minute. Can defend and has one of the best deliveries. Why would you leave him out.

James is inconsistent for me.

 

Reece James is flavour of the month where as Trippier is out of sight out of mind

 

Trippier plays as a deep fullback in a side not known for their attacking flair

 

perfect for Southgate then