The England Squad thread

[JimJams]

On the N'zonzi thing I'm not sure why he's not eligible. FIFA say it's because he played for the French under 21s, but Jack Grealish declared he'd chosen England when he's already represented Ireland at U-21 level. Not that I'm arsed, I just don't get the difference.

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Quite pleased to see Michail Antonio in the squad, technically not the best but his pace, power and running will always cause problems. Think a fast direct approach is the best way for this side to play.

 

[mnb089mnb]

On the N'zonzi thing I'm not sure why he's not eligible. FIFA say it's because he played for the French under 21s, but Jack Grealish declared he'd chosen England when he's already represented Ireland at U-21 level. Not that I'm arsed, I just don't get the difference.

There was a limitation in the amount of time between playing for the U21s and switching, I believe.

Also should be mentioned that there's an agreement between the home nations regarding "naturalising" foreign players. You're not really supposed to do it. (As there'd be nothing to stop England picking any Scottish or Welsh player they wanted to, for example).

 

[Dirk]

Rooney really wants to play the WC 2018. He even said that he wants to retire as World Cup Winner. What's that supposed to mean? He can't play forever to make good on a promise /s

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Rooney really wants to play the WC 2018. He even said that he wants to retire as World Cup Winner. What's that supposed to mean? He can't play forever to make good on a promise /s

If Wayne Rooney is still a 100% starter for England by 2018 I'll be gutted.

 

[mistermagic]

We had a problem nominating a captain when Zidane, Desailly & Thuram retired. We just gave it to the goalkeeper Hugo Lloris who is vocal when he has to be but certainly not a born leader. For Germany, I fancy Neuer to take the armband now that Schweini is retired. Thing is with England is that with Hart leaving the country, I reckon Big Sam may give it to someone else which means a vastly inexperienced player.

I agree that England should give it to the player with the most caps.

 

[silkyman]

Don't think Hart being at Torino will make any difference, unless you mean out of the country, so won't play in this one?

I don't like 'keepers or strikers being captain anyway. Needs to be someone who can get in amongst the team more. Always a CB or CM IMHO.

 

[mente captus]

On the N'zonzi thing I'm not sure why he's not eligible. FIFA say it's because he played for the French under 21s, but Jack Grealish declared he'd chosen England when he's already represented Ireland at U-21 level. Not that I'm arsed, I just don't get the difference.

he did not held the british citizenship at the moment he represented France.

 

[ColB]

Why is Rooney still in our first 11? I'm not a Rooney hater, and appreciate him being our top scorer and someone who does seem to play like he actually does give a shit. But he's not been the player he was for a while now, and we should be looking to the future as much as possible.

My England team would be something like -

Forster

Walker (has his considerable sized conk just ahead of Clyne)
Smalling
Stones
Rose/Shaw

Sterling (providing he keeps his current City form up)
Dier
Alli
Lallana

Kane
Vardy

Pretty simple really, with nobody out of position. Dier sitting allows Alli to get forward and do some damage as he does for Spurs most weeks. Sterling and Lallana both help their full-backs out which is important when you have attack minded one's as we do no matter who is chosen out of Rose, Shaw, Walker and Clyne. Kane and Vardy would be a nightmare to play against for any defence if used properly and not how the inept Roy Hodgson used them.

 

[DarkSithLord]

https://twitter.com/England/status/782660215112105984/photo/1

Glenn fucking Johnson?

Fuck me!

 

[RavenBish]

GLEN JOHNSON?! Even with Clyne injured that's absurd.

 

[GodsGift]

I'd rather a 32 year old who hasn't been deemed good enough to play for England since 2014 wasn't selected, but who else is there? Kieran Trippier? Adam Smith?

This is where England are at and it shouldn't come as a surprise anymore. Besides, we're playing Malta...

 

[Super_horns]

Harsh on Drinkwater to be dumped?

 

[GodsGift]

Injured.

 

[RavenBish]

I'd rather a 32 year old who hasn't been deemed good enough to play for England since 2014 wasn't selected, but who else is there? Kieran Trippier? Adam Smith?

This is where England are at and it shouldn't come as a surprise anymore. Besides, we're playing Malta...

Not many countries have a great 3rd choice right-back to be fair - Walker and Clyne are fine.

 

[silkyman]

I'd rather a 32 year old who hasn't been deemed good enough to play for England since 2014 wasn't selected, but who else is there? Kieran Trippier? Adam Smith?

This is where England are at and it shouldn't come as a surprise anymore. Besides, we're playing Malta...

Even more reason not to pick a has-been.

 

[GodsGift]

Even more reason not to pick a has-been.

So who would you pick?

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Adam Smith would be perfect for the post Neville England type of right back, good going forward and shite defensively. His drawing fouls and falling over is also right up there with any johnny foreigner.

Nah, fine for us, but no chance England. But you're right, we don't have many options that I can think of. Trippier maybe.

 

[Skinner]

Joel Ward?

 

[Liam_SWFC]

Johnson is the best 3rd choice we have to be fair, can't see him getting any game time Walker will start both games. No real surprises this time but pleasing to see Rashford back in the squad and Lingards first call up well deserved.

 

[Reaper]

This is why Southgate shouldn't be considered to be permanent manager, no need to pick 4 centre backs as Dier can fill in there, hes also picked to many wingers and not enough central midfielders and the Glenn Johnson call up is a joke, we have younger right backs who could do with experience for the future like Callum Chambers and Jon Flanagan as we only playing against weak opposition. Swap Jagielka, Johnson, and Antonio for Chambers, Wilshere and Barkley and that would have been alot stronger. Im asuming Luke Shaw is injured because he should also be in there aswel.

 

[mnb089mnb]

This is why Southgate shouldn't be considered to be permanent manager, no need to pick 4 centre backs as Dier can fill in there,

No idea, but I imagine Allardyce picked four centre-halves in his last squad. Why would you want Dier filling in at centre-half when you have specialist centre-halves available? I would imagine England want Dier to start in front of the back four, not to play centre-half.

England manager really is the impossible job. Getting slated for choice of your second choice right-back. Mental.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

Glen fecking Johnson.

 

[Reaper]

No idea, but I imagine Allardyce picked four centre-halves in his last squad. Why would you want Dier filling in at centre-half when you have specialist centre-halves available? I would imagine England want Dier to start in front of the back four, not to play centre-half.

England manager really is the impossible job. Getting slated for choice of your second choice right-back. Mental.

You dont need to have 2 specialists players for each position when you have versatile players like Dier, Rooney ect it just pointess call ups especially when decent players like Wilshere and Barkley are left out who could come off the bench and make an impact if things are not going right. Not saying Dier should start at centre half because his best position is holding midfield but if we did get injurys to 2 of our centre halfs then he would do just as good a job as Jagielka imo.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

Wilshere who hasn't completed 90 minutes for 75 years and Barkley who is generally shite on international duty you mean?

 

[Reaper]

Wilshere who hasn't completed 90 minutes for 75 years and Barkley who is generally shite on international duty you mean?

Who isn't generally shite on England duty?

We have 6 wingers in the squad and only 4 central midfield players, theres no way Antonio, Lingard and Walcott are better quality and more useful than having Barkley and Wilshere in there.

If you look back at the highlights the last time we played Slovenia away then thats the reason why Wilshere should be one of the first names on the team sheet wether he can complete 90 mins or not.

 

[ThisTinpotLeague]

Not saying Dier should start at centre half because his best position is holding midfield but if we did get injurys to 2 of our centre halfs then he would do just as good a job as Jagielka imo.

Appreciate your point, but you are also then denying Dier 90/180 minutes experience in the DM role that you want him to play. 'Competitive' England playing time is a rare thing and Dier will be an important first-team player but he isn't a worn veteran on the international stage, so the minutes are still useful.

It isn't like Jagielka being included has meant that an abundance of attacking talent has been left at home. Wilshere and Barkley might have been left out, but any player behind Antonio or Ox in the England pecking order needs to look at their own performances before blaming the manager. The 23rd place in an England squad isn't a particularly valuable thing, given the interested parties.

Perhaps versatility is more important when you have 23 players and up to 7 matches, playing every four days against brilliant players. Here, I think some are just looking for an opportunity to criticise Southgate.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Sky Sports News HQ ‏@SkySportsNewsHQ 25s25 seconds ago
BREAKING: @glen_johnson withdraws from @England squad due to injury.

Haha. Who is he gonna pick now then?

 

[JimJams]

Danny fucking Simpson!

 

[Deepcut Cobbler]

Sky Sports News HQ ‏@SkySportsNewsHQ 25s25 seconds ago
BREAKING: @glen_johnson withdraws from @England squad due to injury.

Haha. Who is he gonna pick now then?

Shame Milner announced his retirement, could have cemented his slot...