Next England captain. We’ve all seen how good he is, well I’d assume so. We’re all aware of his success in Germany and now Spain, and he’s still not got to his 21st birthday. What I hadn’t been fully aware of is how eloquent and mature a speaker he is, how emotionally intelligent he is and how media aware and savvy he is. His interview on TNT after the game was incredible. The boy is 20 but spoke like a seasoned pro, with confidence and authority. England are lucky to have him, he’s a once in a generation find. He needs to be left unshackled and allowed to shine. Build everything around him - forget his ability, which is unbelievable in itself - do it because he has the shoulders to carry that burden comfortably. I don’t know what Real are paying him and he’s only been there one season but if I was his agent I’d be banging on the Bernabeu boardroom door asking for a new contract on better terms. He could carry that club forward for a decade and a half.
Hes on 220k a week according to Internet, mate. Absolutely crazy money for any footballer. We should build around him, it won't happen under Southgate if he stays however. Not in my opinion anyway. Shame we dont have a better centre half (though Branthwaite could be that man soon enough) and goalkeeper because the rest of the squad is brilliant.
He's got it all hasn't he? Amazing football player, great club, great family by all accounts, nice looking lad and come across as a decent chap too. I suppose he'll always be a Brummie, so he's not perfect!
1st English player for many years who will win the World's best player award.. Now the love affair with Ronaldo and Messi is over.
Definitely should be the next captain when Kane is done. Scary to think how young he still is but also how accomplished he is at any level. If he stays injury free, there could be some personal records coming his way for his country, particularly number of caps.
Also have Cole Palmer and Foden - some great talent there. Back to the problem of how you accommodate them all
I feel Branthwaite’s some way off. He’s got a big advantage in that he’s left footed but if Maguire had looked as bad as he did defending against Isak the other week & Chelsea Monday night he would’ve been all over social media.
It’s always a pleasant surprise when a footballer speaks that well. I thought Pines spoke brilliantly Saturday too.
I always think back to when Kane missed that penalty against France (I think it was?), everyone else heads down feeling sorry for themselves, not Jude, he was straight over to Kane to gee him up and get everyone going again. He was 18. Definitely a captain, leader of men. And a fantastic footballer too.
To be fair the vast majority of the current England side are very well spoken, which I think makes a huge difference when it comes to public perception. Even Jack Grealish, who's clearly as daft as a brush, comes across as an extremely decent bloke. The only one I'm not particularly keen on is Kyle Walker, but I'm not sure I'd want Corey O'Keefe in his place just because he seems like a much nicer chap!
What the same Southgate who capped him at17? The same Southgate who made him the youngest player to appear in a senior tournament anywhere in the world? That Southgate...?
Southgate should have gone ages ago and I’m no fan at all - but it is very clear that he sees the value of Bellingham so that’s a bit unfair. Branthwaite isn’t the answer at centre back either - certainly not yet at least. As for goalkeeper - Pickford has made one error that has led to a goal in his whole England career. It’s a bit harsh judging him solely on Everton form. They have a lot more goalmouth action at their end than better clubs, he’s in focus more than others. Yes he’s hot-headed, rash at times - but he’s also very bloody good most of the time. I think people forget that. I’d be more comfortable with Pickford in goal this summer than any of Ramsdale, Johnston, Henderson or Pope. Nobody is crying out to take the shirt off him, the same as nobody is performing in a way demanding they take Maguire’s either. No team will have eleven world class players in each position, I’d suggest England will have as many, if not more, top level players as any other side in the tournament
Yes I cant disagree with that, bud. I actually think since his call up to the England squad, he's probably had his worst few games this season. He does have all the raw qualities to improve. Can see lots of clubs interested in him. Wonder if he has a relegation clause?
