Embarrassing. I'm not a massive fan of Southgate and don't get why he's lauded by so many. It's time for him to start delivering with performances and results or he should be moved on. He's not doing himself any favours by picking the vastly overrated Eric Dier and Declan Rice.
In all honesty, our options at centre half are pretty average. I’m not a Southgate fan, but I can understand why he doesn’t pick Stones when he struggles to get a game at City.
Stonesy needs to leave City in January for the good of his career and Southgates because if he's not in the England team in the Summer we won't get far in the Euros.
That Euro group won't be a cake walk. Only need a slip up against Scotland and it could be over quite quickly.
As Is said last week, if we pick him and that clown from Everton in goal we will never win a tournament EVER.
Although Pope is my preferred choice as England number one, I find the criticism of Pickford for England unjust. He’s never let his country down so I can see why Southgate has stuck with him, he’s reliable for England. Dier on the other hand, well I have nothing to defend why he’s playing for club and country every time. (Possibly the penalty against Columbia?) Other than that. Nowt!
Think Rice is decent. His progression from 18/24 months ago has been fantastic to be fair. Far too often he chooses the safe option or to pass when he should run with ball though, but it does seem to be an improvement year on year with him. And even if he just sits there to break up play and pass to side, I'd rather him than Dier. Would still only get in my England squad due to lack of choice though. But least he actually is improving. But as for Dier... hes just rhubarb. Regardless to where he plays, he's just poor to bang average week in, week out. Id rather have Lewis dunk, White, Scott Dann or Mings as outside shouts for England to play CB.
When Tom Cleverly used to get picked for England just because he was English and played for Man United.