He's also really strong aerially which is a massive plus. He won nearly 62% of his aerial duels last season which put him well in the top bracket in the PL, and above all of Maguire, Konsa, Guehi and Stones.
The thing about Stones is that I still feel he could step into a big match and prove his worth. He just has that natural presence at international tournaments that is quite rare. You could make a good argument that he’s been our best ever tournament CB. So, maybe nostalgically I am blinded by that. I’ve missed both of Colwill’s recent performances. So, I can’t really judge him fully.
Those are the two people I always want discussing players. The entirety of CBS/Paramount analysis is shocking with the exception of Henry.
To be fair to Stones he has proved at City that he can just come into the team at any moment and perform. He's not someone who needs a run of games.
Livramento will be fit for selection. England receive huge World Cup boost with Ben White replacement passed fit https://t.co/uSG0Ow8MYN— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) May 16, 2026
I think I'd be minded to go with this, taking it as read that Henderson is going and Alexander-Arnold is not: GK - Pickford, Henderson, Trafford DF - James, Livramento, Konsa, Guehi, Stones, Colwill, Quansah, Hall, O'Reilly MF - Rice, Bellingham, Anderson, Mainoo, Henderson AM - Saka, Madueke, Eze, Rogers, Gordon, Rashford ST - Kane, Watkins, Calvert-Lewin I think the extra RB/CB cover (Quansah) could be needed because we're taking quite a few players at the back who are either somewhat injury prone or just returning to fitness (but at the same time I do think Colwill could be a really useful option so I wouldn't want to cut him). If it were up to me I'd take Scott over Henderson, but in reality Tuchel will go for the latter, as well as probably opting for Garner over Mainoo.
Mental Luke Shaw isn’t in the conversation at all. Always performs for us in tournaments and has played every game this season for UTD!
Pickford, Trafford, Henderson, James, TAA, Guehi, Konsa, Colwill, Maguire, Shaw, Hall Anderson, Rice, Bellingham, Jones, Scott, O'Reilly Saka, Madueke, Gordon, Rashford, Kane, Toney, Eze, Palmer, Ngumoha
I may be guilty of being drawn to the shiny new things but I think O'Reilly is a must as he is such a unique talent who can be a real game-changer if used correctly, and... yeah, it's a coin toss between Shaw and Hall; I've just been really impressed with how the latter uses the ball. It was between Wharton and Mainoo for me. I thought Mainoo may be more likely to impact games off the bench.
Anderson with another assist. Again I don't understand why Shaw isn't in the conversation as a backup lb. Shaw, Maguire and Stones have bags of experience and familiarity with playing together in several tournaments. I would even consider Trippier as a backup RB and a final swan song due to James and Livramento being so injury prone.
O’Reilly and Shaw for me. Think it’s a risk taking both O’Reilly and Hall given their relative youth and lack of experience. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to come for Hall but think Shaw’s experience could be vital.
I think he’s selecting Henderson because he thinks Tuchel will take him, not because he wants to pick Henderson.
Not basing this on today's performance. But I've said this before, that Gibbs White is a superior footballer to Rogers in almost every attribute as a no10, both with and without the ball. Take away Rogers high ability to strike the ball from distance and he doesn't offer anything that you don't get from Gibbs White and Bellingham. I've seen so many so called pundits or ex-players who keep picking Rogers to start for England as our 10 in the WC. It's so disappointing how bad some of the discourse is in this country.
Most of the media are now at least somewhat agreeing with you. Yet I still think Tuchel might leave him out due to never being that keen on him, Morgan Gibbs-White should be the first no10 picked by England manager Thomas Tuchel. Then work backwards from there.My reasoning is that England need attackers that score goals regularly beyond just Harry Kane up front.— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) May 17, 2026 Morgan Gibbs-White has to be in the England squad named on Friday. He’s the most in form No.10 & has a connection with Elliot Anderson that is unlike many others in the PL.— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) May 17, 2026 Ditto for Morgan Gibbs-White. https://t.co/INFsdjGQlR— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) May 17, 2026
This is the team I think should start the WC. Not the one that will start. -------------------------------------Pickford James-------------------Konsa-----------Geuhi-----------Shaw -----------Anderson--------------Rice----------Bellingham -------------Saka------------------Kane-----------Rashford I think that team gives any team a game even France and Spain.
It'd be hard to beat for anyone but how good it is would really depend on what version of Saka and Rashford you get. If Saka isn't fully fit & sharp and Rashford doesn't turn up (like he often doesn't) it could easily look a bit limp going forward imo. One of the main reasons I want to take Ngumoha is that I think there's a fair chance our forwards just don't show up this summer. Given the fitness issues and how the season has gone for many of them there's a lot of uncertainty. I think we need a real wildcard / Hail Mary option.
Shaw aside I think that has a good chance of being our starting 11. Rashford/Gordon is a 50/50. Wouldn't be surprised if Rashford starts against weaker sides and Gordon the best sides. I think our starting 11 if everyone is healthy is fine and competitive, my worry is more the subs. Noticeable trend of England losing control in midfield and team shape when Tuchel makes subs and i'm not convinced he knows his squad well enough to fix that by the world cup. England ultimately failed to get over the line with Southgate based on not being able to turn the tide of games with subs or tactical changes (although in Southgate's case more a complete absence of changes being the problem rather than the specific changes he did make in most cases), i'm not convinced Tuchel is going to offer a superior alternative based on the available evidence.
Ngumoha is a good shout. As for Rashford he's looked as sharp as I've seen him in years.Saka could go either way. He's not played as much this season but has had more inyuries. That being said we wouldn't know until the WC what form everyone is in.
Pickford James. Ghuei konsa hall Rice. Anderson Bellingham Saka kane. Gordon Impact players madueke rashford Watkins Wharton eze palmer. That's a pretty strong bench. I'd even consider starting colwill some games
If we go out in the quarter finals to a France or Spain but put in a really good performance ala 2022 then I'll be happy with that. If we go out to a Germany Argentina or Brazil at the quarter final stage, I'll be a bit disappointed