England Squad

Seen a few people on twitter bemoaning at Gareth Southgate about his selection process.  They are saying he seems to be selecting players based on club finish than merit.

If you was England manager who would you select and would you pick players at big clubs out of form over players at smaller clubs but have had a great season?

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Sheff Utd)

Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Ben Godfrey (Everton), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Ben White (Brighton)

Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Jesse Lingard (Man Utd), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Mason Greenwood (Man Utd), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

That midfield selection doesn't scream "Winners" to me.

Quoted from ginnywings

That midfield selection doesn't scream "Winners" to me.

Yeah definitely seems the weak link

Quoted from ginnywings

That midfield selection doesn't scream "Winners" to me.

Yeah definitely seems the weak link

Quoted from ginnywings

That midfield selection doesn't scream "Winners" to me.

Depends what you class as a midfielder, Jack Grealish is world class and a game changer.

Glad that young Lingard has been given a chance

10 forwards 👀
I remember the days we used to take 4-5 max and about 12 midfielders.
In all honesty I havent watched England for quite some time so I can only assume we play 3 upfront or 4231 and the 3 behind the striker are being classed as forwards.

Quoted from Meza

Seen a few people on twitter bemoaning at Gareth Southgate about his selection process.  They are saying he seems to be selecting players based on club finish than merit.

If you was England manager who would you select and would you pick players at big clubs out of form over players at smaller clubs but have had a great season?

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Sheff Utd)

Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Ben Godfrey (Everton), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Ben White (Brighton)

Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds), Jesse Lingard (Man Utd), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Mason Greenwood (Man Utd), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

I can’t see anyone who’s missing that would make a difference. Let’s see what happens when he has to thin it.

Yeah apparently JWP TAA have been cut

Quoted from Meza

If you was England manager who would you select and would you pick players at big clubs out of form over players at smaller clubs but have had a great season?

Good question Meza. Challenge with this is players mindset can change when there with their national teams for the better and performances reflect that eg more pride. Gareth Bale for one sticks out . Felt unwanted by Zidane at Real Madrid but at Wales is loved and in turn enjoys playing for them.

They say you should play your best XI, so I look forward to our team of full backs and attacking midfielders/strikers winning the thing!

(Aaron Ramsdale? Christ)

Quoted from Abdul19

They say you should play your best XI, so I look forward to our team of full backs and attacking midfielders/strikers winning the thing!

(Aaron Ramsdale? Christ)

My money is on France though. Good strength in depth and in Mbappe arguably the tournaments best player.

Not too much wrong with the squad, it’s the bloke who picked it we need to worry about.

Mason Greenwood drops out, would he have made it anyway?

I think it’s easy to take a rather insular view of your own national team side when it comes to overemphasising both its strengths and weaknesses. There are other top teams who are undeniably better than us in some areas, and weaker in others. There are no perfect teams at this Euro’s.

I think it’s certainly reasonable to suggest that we are capable of putting out the best front three at this competition (assuming we play a front three). How many times have we been able to say that in the past? Any of Sterling, Rashford, Sancho or Foden either side of Kane looks pretty exciting to me.

I can’t think of many other teams more adept than us at full-back either - particularly right back. The fact we’re even debating whether recent Champions League and Premier League winner Trent Alexander-Arnold even makes the squad is testament to that. We’re going to be terrifying on the counter.

What about the rest of it? In goal I actually think that Henderson is a far superior keeper to Pickford, and I don’t think that’s just my GTFC bias clouding my judgement there. Still, I think Pickford will be the number one choice as he has tournament experience and Henderson still isn’t technically first choice at his club, so I can understand the thinking. For me, Pickford’s competent enough if he can steer clear of making silly errors.

I’d apply the same comments to the likes of Maguire and Stones at centre-half. Neither of them will ever be remembered as all time greats (unless we actually win the thing) but it shouldn’t be forgotten that one won the Premier League last season and the other finished second. There are better defenders at the tournament, no doubt but I also think they’re both a lot better than they generally get credit for.

Midfield is interesting, as it’s clearly an area we came unstuck in against Croatia in the 2018 WC semi-final. We didn’t have an answer to world class players like Rakitic and Modric and it showed. A lot for me rests on whether Henderson is fully fit; perhaps not the most exciting player in the world but he was a lynchpin in a brilliant Liverpool side that won the Champions League and Premier League in recent seasons - their form suffered massively this season whenever he wasn’t in the team (check out the PPG differences).

Without Henderson we’re lacking experienced options, particularly in that holding role. Assuming he makes it, adding in the likes of Mason Mount (who just won the Champions League) and Declan Rice doesn’t seem so shabby, whilst the likes of Foden and Grealish could both feature in attacking roles to add a bit of spark. We might be lacking someone of Kante or De Bryne’s ilk, but it looks like that will apply to everyone else but France, so that’s not necessarily anything to cry about.

It’s a dangerous thing to say, but I honestly think this is the best England squad going into a major tournament for some considerable time, possibly in my lifetime. I actually think we’ll peak in time for next year’s tainted World Cup in Qatar, but I think we should be considered as realistic contenders alongside the likes of France, Belgium and potentially Germany as a dark horse (never write of ze Germans).

The group stage will be crucial. Winning it means a route to the final with only one game away from Wembley, which still has an outside chance of being at capacity for some of those games. However, it also likely means facing one of France, Germany or Portugal in the second round. History shows we simply don’t beat top sides in knockout games at major tournaments - the only one I could even argue in my lifetime is Spain at Euro 96, and we were incredibly fortuitous to win that.

That’s the nut we have to crack. We are capable of beating anyone. Do we have the mentality to do so, however? I think that’s the big question.

We’ll find out soon enough...

France for me, their depth particularly up top is frightening

Quoted from Poojah

world class players like Modric .

For me the worlds best midfielder. Beautiful to watch when you see him  play for Real Madrid. Technique in excellence personified.

Attack and full-backs are good but if anything happens to Kane we're screwed. Midfield is OK if Rice and Henderson are fit. Central defence doesn't look too strong, John Stones is guaranteed to drop a clanger a some point.

As long as we score 5 in the first 30 minutes we will be OK. Any fewer and the opposition will just shut down the midfield and pressure the likes of Stone into errors. Slight exaggeration? Maybe.. We might get away with  it in the group but in the KO stages we have always looked one dimensional, vulnerable to runners through midfield and pretty clueless if the opposition has a coach with an IQ in double figures..

We'll end up going out in the last 16 to a Fernandes pen.

Personally I wouldn’t take Walker but Southgate will argue that his ability to play centre half means he’s a definite. The fact Arnold might not make it is mind boggling though.

We’ve got two extremely exciting players in our side; Foden and Mount. Will their youthful exuberance and inability to understand failing be the thing we need. I appreciate foden has just been out done in European cup final but the kid will still be buzzing and Mount is probably still partying.

I’d pick Henderson over Pickford, both make mistakes but I think Henderson is genuinely the real deal and has, at times, dug out an awful or seemingly awful back four at United.

I worry about central half, Maguire is just a championship at best centre half in better boots. Henderson in midfield helps, probably alongside Rice but will the injury be an issue.

My own view is that for once it’s acruslly hard to pick a squad and that’s not because they’re shite. We’ve got a decent chance, France have Mbappe but they’re not perfect, Germany, well anyone’s guess. Belgium will no doubt flatter to deceive again me thinks. The Italians...who knows, they could tear everyone a new one or just be a bit meh...then you’ve got the others. I wouldn’t say there’s a stand out team personally...

We have a squad and now we need Southgate to make them into a team, just like the Greeks had in 2004. Not a team of famous names but a unit built to work for each other and win the 2004 cup.

I sincerely hope Southgate does the job, otherwise, we'll all be reliving 1966 our national team's only cup competition victory.

Quoted from BrMarin

Attack and full-backs are good but if anything happens to Kane we're screwed. Midfield is OK if Rice and Henderson are fit. Central defence doesn't look too strong, John Stones is guaranteed to drop a clanger a some point.

Should have included Ings, he’s the closest goal scorer we have to Kane . I’m not a Rashford fan at all

Whoever wins it will have to beat teams like france Germany and Portugal.  So why not us

Wan Bissaka didn't even get into the provisional squad, which shows to me the strength we have at full back. He's had a good season, and it has been said that on a one onto one he is the best defender we have.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is in the squad according to Sky. The right call for me.

Quoted from Poojah

Trent Alexander-Arnold is in the squad according to Sky. The right call for me.

not if he's picked the other 3 RB's

For Lingard not to be in it im staggered, he's been- alongside Foden- From Jan onwards, the best English Player

4 right-backs
5 central midfielders

Hmmmmm

BBC Sport....

Euro 2020: Trent Alexander-Arnold named in England's 26-man squad.

Boss Gareth Southgate had to cut seven players from his provisional list.

Mason Greenwood withdrew through injury with Jesse Lingard, Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Ben Godfrey, James Ward-Prowse and Ollie Watkins all left out.

England's 26-man squad in full
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Wonder if we'll see James tried in centre midfield in the friendlies? I'd have taken Ward-Prowse, probably instead of Saka.

Why not just sit back and enjoy it.
Sometimes posters on this site tend to over analyse things.

Go with the journey. Enjoy the ride.
Mr Southgate is paid a lot of money to get it right.

All I want is entertaining success. After watching the Mariners for over 60 years, I think I am due some fun!

TAA had to go as a bit of a wildcard. He doesn’t have to play right back and would probably be as good as a wide midfielder or even winger. He’s been in good form since his dropping. Surprised that Saka remains over JWP.

Think Lingard is unlucky based upon club form but like Southgate said he only got back into the frame due to injuries to others.

I still think our biggest issue is CB and defending in general, all of the defenders selected are really good players but never really seem to be on the same page as a unit.

What I would say though there’s bags of talent in the squad and they all seem keen to be involved so if the best players aren’t burnt out then we should do well but I suspect we’ll be plucky QF/SF ists again.

Quoted from HertsGTFC

Think Lingard is unlucky based upon club form but like Southgate said he only got back into the frame due to injuries to others.

I still think our biggest issue is CB and defending in general, all of the defenders selected are really good players but never really seem to be on the same page as a unit.

What I would say though there’s bags of talent in the squad and they all seem keen to be involved so if the best players aren’t burnt out then we should do well but I suspect we’ll be plucky QF/SF ists again.

All the defenders are error prone and injected with the Southgate keepball serum regardless of the danger to the team. This does not make them bad players per se but it puts a big question mark on whether they could ever get a clean sheet against a top team and puts  pressure on the strikers to get goals from open play which has not been our forte.

So if we go a goal down where is our touch line strategist suddenly going to find an answer when the opposition just shuts down the midfield and goes tight on the England strikers with a spare man at the back? This is the tactic sides used against England last time. This competition looks stronger and there’s no sign the manager has found an answer.

KO comps are about making the right hard headed decision at the right time. Talent will only get you so far.

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

All the defenders are error prone and injected with the Southgate keepball serum regardless of the danger to the team. This does not make them bad players per se but it puts a big question mark on whether they could ever get a clean sheet against a top team and puts  pressure on the strikers to get goals from open play which has not been our forte.

So if we go a goal down where is our touch line strategist suddenly going to find an answer when the opposition just shuts down the midfield and goes tight on the England strikers with a spare man at the back? This is the tactic sides used against England last time. This competition looks stronger and there’s no sign the manager has found an answer.

KO comps are about making the right hard headed decision at the right time. Talent will only get you so far.

I seem to recall that you’ve always had a problem with Southgate Ron.

In all honesty, I can’t see Southgate leading us to any kind of success. The World Cup semi final looks good, but break it down and we got an easy run and even then struggled in some games. We’ve arguably got one of the strongest attacking squads in years, but I’m not confident the likes of foden, mount, sterling etc will flourish under him.

I hope I’m wrong, because this euros really is winnable with the squad we have!

Quoted from HertsGTFC

I seem to recall that you’ve always had a problem with Southgate Ron.

You have a good memory Herts!😀

I think ha may be a decent coach but not a manager. He fit the bill just at the time when Spain had been passing everyone into oblivion. But now something else is needed to win tournament games and I just have severe doubts that he has it. But we shall see, I’ll be cheering as loud as anyone if he proves me wrong! 😀

Quoted from Mariner_09

We'll end up going out in the last 16 to a Fernandes pen.

That’ll be after he’s dived ( oops sorry, ) been hacked from behind. If England play Portugal the at least 2 ambulances will be required for Fernandez and Grealish, both spend more time on the floor then on their feet.

Quoted from Mariner93er

In all honesty, I can’t see Southgate leading us to any kind of success. The World Cup semi final looks good, but break it down and we got an easy run and even then struggled in some games. We’ve arguably got one of the strongest attacking squads in years, but I’m not confident the likes of foden, mount, sterling etc will flourish under him.

I hope I’m wrong, because this euros really is winnable with the squad we have!

We may have had an easy run and arguably struggled in some games, but it was also a far lesser squad than this one.

In 2018 we had quite a weak and average squad so Southgate over achieved on that front.  In the 3 years since we've had an absolute glut of talent emerge that rightly puts us as one of the favourites.  I don't think Southgate can really be judged on 2018 either way, it was just an outcome most of us didn't expect.  This time around the expectations are much, much higher and he'll be judged on any failures.

Much is made of Southgate's negative approach and whilst I would like to see him unleash the shackles a bit, the one area we're still weak in is defence.  If we went all-out, the better sides would expose our weakness with ease.   I also think that in a tournament situation against the better sides, his style will better suit our pacy attackers on the counter.  It's against the so called lesser sides that I think he'll need to go for it a bit more.   For this reason alone I'm quite surprised he hasn't taken Ward-Prowse.  For games when teams will just park the bus, his ability from set-pieces could be crucial.   If Alexander-Arnold does have to withdraw through injury, I'd be disappointed if anyone else but Ward-Prowse who replaces him.

I can't see England ever winning a tournament. There is something that happens to an English player when he pulls on an England shirt that turns him from a decent player to an average one.

I don't know if it's fear or pressure or that England don't pay their wages so they're not that bothered. I just don't know.

It doesn't help that the moment we win a game in any tournament the media start screaming 'it's coming home' and the country looks like a Loyalist estate in Belfast.

TAA out for 6 weeks.  Replacement to be named after next friendly,

Apart from world Cup 90 I haven't seen England play as a team, in some games they have played as individuals not quite as bad as Holland.

Still will be rooting them on.

Quoted from BobbyCummingsTackle

I can't see England ever winning a tournament. There is something that happens to an English player when he pulls on an England shirt that turns him from a decent player to an average one.

I don't know if it's fear or pressure or that England don't pay their wages so they're not that bothered. I just don't know.

It doesn't help that the moment we win a game in any tournament the media start screaming 'it's coming home' and the country looks like a Loyalist estate in Belfast.

Ever read Dara O’Briain’s Tickling the English? He has a chapter called “You’re about eighth” which is a demographics/statistical assessment of England and the high expectations. All things considered we should be quarter finalists on average.

There’s another book called something like ‘why England will never win the World Cup’. Pretty convincing arguments.