Good to see Bowen get his first call up. He will be going to Qatar. I like Southgate that he always picks on form and not which club they play for.
Past managers would have been picking the likes of Dier, Sancho and Rashford just because of who they play for.
Dier should be in over Maguire, he's been fantastic at CB under Conte - and I don't rate him at all, especially further forward in midfield. Hes picked Rashford, Pickford, Maguire and Sterling before even when they've been in poor form. I definitely agree about Bowen though, he's been immense. Hopefully doesn't pick up an injury this time!
Pickford is the main reason Everton survived. Some of his saves in the last few games kept them up but yeah apart from him the others you listed have been very poor, especially Maguire and Rashford. Maguire does always seem to play well for England though alongside Sir John
Sorry mate I think you misunderstood me, I was using examples for Southgate picking his favourites, I didn't mean the most recent call ups. Just stating in the past he's called up said players before despite being on very poor form
This will be interesting as Abraham has been a goalscoring revelation in Italy this season. Bowen chipped in some good goals and could be a great foil partnered with him. At the same time we have Kane who you just cant leave out. Be interesting to see how the attacking line ups work out over 90+ mins.
I think ‘spine of his team’ rather than favourites. It’s a balance - he can’t chop the entire team - Pickford and Maguire have never let England down and I understand why he picks them notwithstanding their club performances. Rashford is a tricky one. Perhaps a break from Man U will help him. There’s one hell of a player in there but something has gone seriously wrong at Man U
It's the midfield that concerns me. I'm not too bothered who he picks in attack. We have exceptional options up front and in the attacking third. Smith Rowe and Maddison being left out is testament to that. Apart from Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice we don't have the options in the centre of the park. I've never rated Henderson for some reason. I hope Gallagher and Mount can step up but I class them in the same bracket as Grealish, Foden, Bellingham and Maddison.
Bellingham has been absolutely outstanding for Dortmund this season. Gallagher has been great for Palace. James Ward-Prowse has been excellent for Southampton. I see Mount playing in the same position as Maddison and Smith Rowe so at least one of the three won't make the squad.
PickfordWalker Stones TomoriTAA Ward-Prowse Bellingham Saka FodenKane Abraham I might over-rate Ward-Prowse but his dead ball ability is worth it. The alternative would be Rice. Foden could easily be swapped for Mount.
Pickford Walker Stones Tomori Chilwell Bellingham Rice Saka Smith-Rowe Foden Kane Would be my starting 11 assuming all fit and available I think. Pope Alexander-Arnold Guehi Mings Trippier Gallager Ward-Prowse Sterling Grealish Bowen Abraham Would be my second 11.
I'm so out of touch with international football. I've never heard of Marc Guehi and James Justin. Don't even know who they play for.
Guehi is the CB that was at Swansea last season and had Dike in his pocket every game we played against them. He is now at Palace. Won't start but deserves his spot in the squad given his performances this season. Justin plays for Leicester, used to play for Luton when they won League one.
I havent said otherwise about the core of the team, mate. Only Harry Maguire - I don't think we've played against that many great teams. he does a job, but will be interesting to see how he handles some of the squads we're grouped with now. For me, itd be stones, tomori and walker(purely for the pace). And on current form dier if you had to replace one. Its hard picking Smith rowe, because despite his great stats, alot of game time is off the bench