We actually our "best" players this world cup injury free. AOC was injured by that Ecuador playing that faked an injury and rolled onto his ankle.
Yes, to be fair the last World Cup has probably a bad example but in previous Euro and WC we always trend to have key injuries which effects us pretty badly.
2002 no Gerard. Also no Lampard, but he just wasn't picked. 2004 no Rio, but we know what happened. Rooney got hurt against Portugal. 2006 Rooney was at 80%. Owen got injured, which pretty much damaged his career against Sweden. 2010 no Rio, thanks Emile. No Walcott becasue Capello was an idiot. King got injured during the first game and did not return. 2012 no Barry, Cahill, and Lampard. No Rooney for two games. No Rio because... well...
Those who in my opinion will be among the best worldwide in their respective position : Hart, Wilshere, Sterling, Shaw, Stones . Those who certainly will be there if they keep on improving: Gibbs, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sturridge, P.Jones . Those who has a clear bright future ahead and whose potential could be massive: Barkley, Ward-Prowse, Chambers, Clyne, Butland . Role players , potential in four years very good not exceptional: Forster, Walker, Flanagan, Caulker, Delph, Townsend, Welbeck, Walcott . Keep an eye on, they are doing good this season but the verdict still open on them: Westwood, Austin, Ings, Cresswell . Best young potential in four years development: H.Kane, Bamford, Alli, Loftus-Cheek, Crowley, Solanke, Roberts, Gomez, J.Wilson, Hughes, Berahino, Akpom , Ibe, L.Cook, Gray . In my opinion the final 23 are in this list(add Rooney).
Good list, I would happily move the Ox into the best worldwide position list as think he will be outstanding in 4 years time if he continues his development, has impressed me with his intelligence this season. Some of the names on the potential in four years time I would say could be in the starting line up come four years time ( I'm hoping ) or really pushing.
Chalobah was far too error prone for my liking - and he couldn't/wouldn't sprint when needed. I would expect his younger brother to do better than he.
Seen so many journos have a crack at this and get it hilariously wrong, so hard to predict but here we go - Hart ----------- Clyne Cahill Stones Shaw/Gibbs ----------- Ward-Prowse Wilshere, if he's still alive Barkley Sterling ----------- Sturridge Welbeck/Kane Going with the midfield diamond. Think we should pursue this as our DNA. Allows you to play two strikers and not be too overrun in midfield. English nature to have a solid striking partnership.
No. It's one thing putting a 15 year old schoolboy in whom I have only seen play for an hour - but looked good - and someone I have seen quite a lot who hasn't. And then only 11 can get in the starting line up - with some positions being competitive. I "agonised" over putting Kasey Palmer in, but didn't when it came to it. I'll scrub out Diallo and put Palmer in.
My real concern is that most of these players are more confidence based player than consistency based players. The real class is the consistency at a high level over a prolonged period. Who do you think has that consistency in their playing make up? The more consistent they are the more likely they will be the incumbent players in the line up.
............sturridge...kane ....................sterling .............wilshere....Delph .....................jonjo Shaw.....smalling...stones...clyne .......................butland
Hart/ Butland, McCarthy Clyne/ Trippier Stones/ Gomez Smalling/ Dier Shaw/ Bertrand Cook/Henderson Wilshere/Shelvey Barkley/Alli Roberts/Edwards Kane/Armstrong Sterling/Redmond Or not.
I know what you mean. It's Neufville, isn't it. I've had regrets since I posted it (he needs to buck up now he's left school). Still Gomez and Loftus-Cheek are only one step away now. So it's lookin' gooood!
Exciting times ahead, hopefully Sterling/Ox/ Roberts/ Redmond reach their potential. The technical ability of the squad going forward looks top class.
Jadon Sancho looks like he will be the big shock to make the 2018 World Cup squad. I wonder what the odds would be as of now.
You think he'll play enough top-level games at 17, at or on loan from Man City, to get called up for a World Cup shortly after his 18th birthday? I'd imagine the odds on that are pretty long.
Yeah, that's why the odds should be good. If say, he makes his debut by this time next year for City (yes I know, but we're not talking Brandon Barker here), or even if they wait until after the summer break and introduce him in the pre-season games he could then become part of the squad and progress as the season develops. He'll then be an obvious choice for Hodgson, with the fans and pundits demanding it. (It would help to clear his pathway if City sent Diaz out on loan back to Spain.) £50 at a big price would be a good bet.
This post is prob more apt here. Anyone seen this tweet flying around. Follow Sam Jones @SamJonesMCR In 2007 the Daily Mail published the England team of 2016. This is pretty special. 9:41 AM - 3 Jun 2016 Tbh I imagine at that time, it was just a combination of who got their chances first and then people assuming they're the best around. Anyone remember when they all made debuts if at all No surprise that the probably the most 'successful' players started off and got chances from Non PL clubs. So Henry and Walcott.