England Squad for the Euros

3 Goalkeepers
5 CBs
4 Full backs
4 centre mids
4 Wingers
2 number 10s
4 Strikers

 

I don’t think that’s controversial at all. It would’ve been a year ago but Trent’s regularly played in midfield & Bellingham’s regularly played as almost a second striker.

 

Could we try and adopt the Brazilian and Dutch model and have a floating midfield where everyone drops in. Defend when we need to defend and attack when we need to attack. That way it wouldn't matter where Bellingham slotted in.

I'm guessing he'll be a marked man and if our midfield/ attack operates like a well oiled machine it might avoid stale mates.

 

I think the main interchanging will be between Bellingham & Foden.

Kane will drop deep on occasion too with either of them advancing.

 

I'd totally forgotten about Bellingham to be honest. I just hope he doesn't get bogged down.

 

I think ther'll be one or two surprises, joe Gomez

 

I think he'll fester on bench playing with his thing.

 

I thought Joe Gomez would be the long term partner for Stones. He was exceptional alongside Van Dijk the season when they won the champions league. He’s only just getting back to his best after two serious injuries. Definitely should be on the plane. He seems pretty robust these days too, he’s played almost every game for the last couple of months.

 

The squad released wither next week or the week after will tell us everything.

Brazil and Belgium, id expect him to make what he feels is his best 26 and not take any gambles on fringe players in these games. The experiments are done, and if he’s fit Trent will be in the midfield, I think.

Pickford

Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw

Trent, Rice, Bellingham

Saka, Kane, Foden.

We’ve got a great bunch of players.

 

Pickford
Ramsdale
Johnstone

Stones
Branthwaite
Maguire
Guehi
Tomori

James
Walker
Trippier
Chilwell

Rice
Barkley
Gallagher
Ward-Prowse

Saka
Foden
Bowen
Alexander Arnold

Eze
Bellingham

Kane
Watkins
Palmer
Toney

 

Thinking about it I’d take Joe Willock over Ward-Prowse. Offers something different to the rest of our midfield, eye for a goal, great ball carrier & does his defensive duties well. A huge miss for Newcastle this season.

Also Ward-Prowse won’t get near a set piece & that’s his biggest strength

 

I also think Gordon is worth a place. But ahead of Grealish? The talent we've got is frightening. Anything other than winning the whole thing has to be viewed as a failure this time around.

 

Team

Pickford

Walker Stones Maguire Shaw

Alexander-Arnold Rice

Saka Bellingham Foden

Kane

Subs/squad

Ramsdale
Johnstone
Trippier
Guehi
Tomori
Chilwell
Dier
Phillips
Gallagher
Maddison
Gordon
Grealish
Rashford
Watkins
Bowen

 

Pickford, Ramsdale, Pope

Walker, Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Guéhi, Tomori, Gomez, Shaw, Lewis, Colwill

Rice, Bellingham, Alexander-Arnold, Mainoo, Maddison, Eze, Foden, Palmer, Gallagher

Saka, Kane, Watkins, Toney



Pickford
Walker Stones Maguire Shaw
Rice Alexander-Arnold
Saka Bellingham Foden
Kane

 

I bet Henderson gets a place because Southgate will say 'he does a job for me"

 

Adam Phillips & Herbie Kane ?

 

Different squad but we’ve selected the same XI

 

Apologies for bubble bursting, but it's back down to a squad of 23 again this time, not 26.

My starting XI would be the same as many others' on here with Trent AA in midfield. But I'd have Shaw at left centre half instead of Maguire (done very well there for United) and Trippier left back.

 

I'd play the same formation as Pep, Arteta and Klopp do, where they have the right sided defender inverting into midfield (Stones, Zinchenko or Trent). They're the best 3 teams in the league - we should play that way.

It means that the back 3 offer no width going forward, so you're wide men need to hold the touchline like Saka/Bernardo/Grealish/Martinelli do.

With that in mind, I'll go.....

Pickford

Walker Stones Tomori
Trent Rice
Saka Bellingham Foden Palmer
Kane

--

Ideally, I'd want Grealish on the left hand side to hold that width, but he isn't playing enough so I'd put the left footed Palmer there for that job - he has done that for Chelsea.

That frees Bellingham and Foden of all defensive responsibilities because Rice has shown that he doesn't need anyone to hold his hand.

Pope and Johnston sub keepers.

Colwill and Dunk the back up centre backs, with Trippier the right back. I'd also take either Shaw or Chilwell if we need to switch to a back 4 or a wing back. Shaw can also play as LCB if needed.

Ward-Prowse and Mainoo would be the CM coverage and Watkins and Toney the obvious Kane back ups of second option.

That then leaves three attacking midfield options off the bench or to cover injury. Grealish I think should go - his ability to carry the ball and draw fouls would be a benefit if we need to waste time or consolidate. Maddison deserves to go too - creative option off the bench to change a game.

The 23rd spot is difficult. Rashford in poor form. Sterling in and out of the side. Mount disappeared. Bowen hot and cold, but he's another left footer so could be an option. My 23rd man is Milner. Sub him on in the 119th minute when we need a penalty taker.