Totally change my prediction now, Belgium will do well but if they start Witsel and Fellaini against us for example, I think we could beat them.
Very surprised about Morata, he hasn’t been fantastic at all but come on, he was a key player for them in the last Euro’s.
Some very big players left out this summer. Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, there are big players who won’t be in Russia from those four nations alone.
On paper you’d say that looks better but I doubt you’ve watched many of these players. Quite a few have had dreadful seasons
If that French 23 was English it’d be getting ripped apart for containing players on terrible form ffs
A lot of them have not had bad seasons at all. Kondogbia has been brilliant along with Rabiot and many more.
If Welbeck has performed like Martial he’d be in the reserves If Henderson had performed like bakoyoko there’d be outrage Benzema might play for the best team in the world but he’s nowhere near Kane’s level
England don’t have a great squad but it’s reached a point where our players are being unfairly judged because of the English stigma
Really?!
I’m not saying Benzema is a terrible footballer, he isn’t, his problem is consistency. As a striker you need to be able to put the ball in the net, Benzema, despite being surrounded by world class players, does not do that enough. Lewandowski, Suarez and Kane are on a different level to any other out and out striker in the world
Had to throw in a few injuries/recent retirees to make up the numbers for the second 11 there.
Doesn't really compare to Spain/France's left out players, but probably just as strong as who we have taken out there to be fair (Kane/Walker/Dele aside)
He’s definitely reaching with a few of those. Saying Morata didn’t make it is like saying Deeney could of made ours. He’s had a shocking season. I mean come on, David Villa plays in the MLS.
He’s definitely reaching with a few of those. Saying Morata didn’t make it is like saying Deeney could of made ours. He’s had a shocking season. I mean come on, David Villa plays in the MLS.
Really??
Morata 11 in 31 Deeney 5 in 29
Morata hasnt had a fantastic season but is far far better than Deeney.
I don’t understand all the comments saying ‘First time in ages there’s no expectations from England’. I’ve felt like that for years. 2006 was probably the last time I thought we had a real chance. And even that was immature naivety.
I don’t understand all the comments saying ‘First time in ages there’s no expectations from England’. I’ve felt like that for years. 2006 was probably the last time I thought we had a real chance. And even that was immature naivety.
I understand the comments.
Maybe not you personally.
But I remember the weeks leading into Euro 2016 and World Cup 2014 the media people over social.media everyone was saying this could be are year and the expection was really high.
However this year I havent seen anyone day that and most people expect us out in the 2nd round
Had to throw in a few injuries/recent retirees to make up the numbers for the second 11 there.
Doesn't really compare to Spain/France's left out players, but probably just as strong as who we have taken out there to be fair (Kane/Walker/Dele aside)
Lookman as well!
Jay Rodrigez and Ashley Barnes would be alternative strikers
He’s definitely reaching with a few of those. Saying Morata didn’t make it is like saying Deeney could of made ours. He’s had a shocking season. I mean come on, David Villa plays in the MLS.
Really??
Morata 11 in 31 Deeney 5 in 29
Morata hasnt had a fantastic season but is far far better than Deeney.
Morata is meant to be the leading striker for a top 5 prem team. In terms of expectation and form, my original comment still stands.
Had to throw in a few injuries/recent retirees to make up the numbers for the second 11 there.
Doesn't really compare to Spain/France's left out players, but probably just as strong as who we have taken out there to be fair (Kane/Walker/Dele aside)
Lookman as well!
Jay Rodrigez and Ashley Barnes would be alternative strikers
Cant really count Barnes as I dont know if he's declared his allegiance to England
He did play for Austria U20s a few years ago and think their officials were over here this season to keep an eye on him
Had to throw in a few injuries/recent retirees to make up the numbers for the second 11 there.
Doesn't really compare to Spain/France's left out players, but probably just as strong as who we have taken out there to be fair (Kane/Walker/Dele aside)
Lookman as well!
Jay Rodrigez and Ashley Barnes would be alternative strikers
Cant really count Barnes as I dont know if he's declared his allegiance to England
He did play for Austria U20s a few years ago and think their officials were over here this season to keep an eye on him
Austria want him.
But until he applies for an Austrian passport they cant call him up.
So I think its clear he doesnt want to play for them lol
I am setting up a World Cup sweepstake at work and planning to do one of those handicap ones to give people a chance of winning something even if they pick a dud. Anyone done one of these or doing one and what do you think a reasonable achievement would be for each team?
I.e Spain, Brazil, Germany - win the tournament Portugal, Belgium - final England, Colombia - semis Switzerland, Croatia - quarters Panama, Japan - get out of group
Be interested in anyone's suggestions for a good setup for this sweepstake.
Had to throw in a few injuries/recent retirees to make up the numbers for the second 11 there.
Doesn't really compare to Spain/France's left out players, but probably just as strong as who we have taken out there to be fair (Kane/Walker/Dele aside)
Out of those 22 you mentioned, I’d probably consider 7 of them to be in contention to be England players in the immediate future. Shows how small the pool of England players we currently have that many others lack the quality to be represented on the international stage.
Those 7 being... Smalling, Gomez, Bertrand, Lallana, Shelvey, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Sessegnon will be an international player, Keane too with the right coaching. But the rest in my opinion are either passed it, injury prone, or just not good enough.
Ones you haven’t mentioned would be Lewis Cook and Tarkowski too, both had good seasons.
I am setting up a World Cup sweepstake at work and planning to do one of those handicap ones to give people a chance of winning something even if they pick a dud. Anyone done one of these or doing one and what do you think a reasonable achievement would be for each team?
I.e Spain, Brazil, Germany - win the tournament Portugal, Belgium - final England, Colombia - semis Switzerland, Croatia - quarters Panama, Japan - get out of group
Be interested in anyone's suggestions for a good setup for this sweepstake.
If you go purely off the odds of each team to win their group then how about the below:
Outsider for each group - get out of the group. (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Australia, Iceland, Costa Rica, South Korea, Panama, Japan) Third favourite for each group - quarter final. (Egypt, Morocco, Peru, Nigeria, Serbia, Sweden, Tunisia, Senegal) Second favourite for each group - semi final. (Russia, Portugal, Denmark, Croatia, Switzerland, Mexico, England, Poland)
To split the remaining eight favourites to win their group, I looked up the odds of each team winning the tournament outright:
4th-8th favourite to win - final (Uruguay, Argentina, Belgium, Colombia) 1st-4th favourite to win - win the tournament (Spain, France, Brazil, Germany)
Had to throw in a few injuries/recent retirees to make up the numbers for the second 11 there.
Doesn't really compare to Spain/France's left out players, but probably just as strong as who we have taken out there to be fair (Kane/Walker/Dele aside)
Lookman as well!
Jay Rodrigez and Ashley Barnes would be alternative strikers
Cant really count Barnes as I dont know if he's declared his allegiance to England
He did play for Austria U20s a few years ago and think their officials were over here this season to keep an eye on him
Austria want him.
But until he applies for an Austrian passport they cant call him up.
So I think its clear he doesnt want to play for them lol
Given the choice, I'm sure he'd love to play for England I'm sure.
Ryan Shawcross could have played for Wales, but only wanted to play for England.
I get stick from my mates everytime i say it, but i still believe Rooney is comfortably still in the best 5 English player currently still playing. Kane, Alli, Sterling & Vardy are the only ones better imo. 10 goals in 31 is a good return from central midfield in a pretty poor Everton side
I get stick from my mates everytime i say it, but i still believe Rooney is comfortably still in the best 5 English player currently still playing. Kane, Alli, Sterling & Vardy are the only ones better imo. 10 goals in 31 is a good return from central midfield in a pretty poor Everton side
I don’t understand all the comments saying ‘First time in ages there’s no expectations from England’. I’ve felt like that for years. 2006 was probably the last time I thought we had a real chance. And even that was immature naivety.
Had to throw in a few injuries/recent retirees to make up the numbers for the second 11 there.
Doesn't really compare to Spain/France's left out players, but probably just as strong as who we have taken out there to be fair (Kane/Walker/Dele aside)
Out of those 22 you mentioned, I’d probably consider 7 of them to be in contention to be England players in the immediate future. Shows how small the pool of England players we currently have that many others lack the quality to be represented on the international stage.
Those 7 being... Smalling, Gomez, Bertrand, Lallana, Shelvey, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Sessegnon will be an international player, Keane too with the right coaching. But the rest in my opinion are either passed it, injury prone, or just not good enough.
Ones you haven’t mentioned would be Lewis Cook and Tarkowski too, both had good seasons.
To be honest I was basing the picks on previous international experience and players who have played or have the potential to play in champions league since I was sort of comparing to the players tweeted about in French and Spanish squads who had been left out - but my take is yeah the 7 you mentioned plus Sessengon would not have looked out of place in the squad going to Russia as is - i'd add Heaton to that list if he had not gotten injured and missed so much of the year and agree on your assessment of Keane too.
My take on some of the others; Think Barkley, Sturridge, Walcott still have something to offer England in the future, granted all three have had poor seasons (mainly injury) but all they need is a decent unbroken run in their respective sides and they are all right back in the frame for me - the ability is there and all three are game-changers on their day.
I'd say all the rest have played their last games for England at this point - although looking at the attacking options we have taken with us, Defoe and/or Carroll could have been a slightly different option that Southgate may regret not having if we are looking for a goal with 10 to go and only having Wellbeck or Rashford to call on - they aren't exactly the type you can lump it up to, or lethal enough of a finisher as Defoe to sniff out a chance by being in the right place at the right time. Time will tell on that one though.
Comments
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Nacho (all Real Madrid), Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique (both Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Odriozola (Real Sociedad)
Midfield: Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta (both Barcelona) Saúl, Koke (both Atletico), Thiago (Bayern) Silva (Manchester City),
Isco, Marco Asensio, Lucas Vázquez (all Real Madrid)
Forward: Iago Aspas (Celta), Rodrigo (Valencia), Diego Costa (Atletico)
Not bad I s'pose.
Wouldnt rule out both getting through though
Very surprised about Morata, he hasn’t been fantastic at all but come on, he was a key player for them in the last Euro’s.
Some very big players left out this summer. Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, there are big players who won’t be in Russia from those four nations alone.
As a striker you need to be able to put the ball in the net, Benzema, despite being surrounded by world class players, does not do that enough.
Lewandowski, Suarez and Kane are on a different level to any other out and out striker in the world
Heaton
Bertrand, Smalling, Keane, Sessegnon
Lallana, Shelvey, Wilshire, Townsend,
Walcott, Defoe
And another;
Hart
Baines, Jagielka, Gomez, Clyne
Milner, Rooney, Barkley, Ox-Chamberlain
Carroll, Sturridge
Had to throw in a few injuries/recent retirees to make up the numbers for the second 11 there.
Doesn't really compare to Spain/France's left out players, but probably just as strong as who we have taken out there to be fair (Kane/Walker/Dele aside)
Morata 11 in 31
Deeney 5 in 29
Morata hasnt had a fantastic season but is far far better than Deeney.
Maybe not you personally.
But I remember the weeks leading into Euro 2016 and World Cup 2014 the media people over social.media everyone was saying this could be are year and the expection was really high.
However this year I havent seen anyone day that and most people expect us out in the 2nd round
Jay Rodrigez and Ashley Barnes would be alternative strikers
He did play for Austria U20s a few years ago and think their officials were over here this season to keep an eye on him
But until he applies for an Austrian passport they cant call him up.
So I think its clear he doesnt want to play for them lol
I.e Spain, Brazil, Germany - win the tournament
Portugal, Belgium - final
England, Colombia - semis
Switzerland, Croatia - quarters
Panama, Japan - get out of group
Be interested in anyone's suggestions for a good setup for this sweepstake.
Those 7 being... Smalling, Gomez, Bertrand, Lallana, Shelvey, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Sessegnon will be an international player, Keane too with the right coaching. But the rest in my opinion are either passed it, injury prone, or just not good enough.
Ones you haven’t mentioned would be Lewis Cook and Tarkowski too, both had good seasons.
Outsider for each group - get out of the group. (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Australia, Iceland, Costa Rica, South Korea, Panama, Japan)
Third favourite for each group - quarter final. (Egypt, Morocco, Peru, Nigeria, Serbia, Sweden, Tunisia, Senegal)
Second favourite for each group - semi final. (Russia, Portugal, Denmark, Croatia, Switzerland, Mexico, England, Poland)
To split the remaining eight favourites to win their group, I looked up the odds of each team winning the tournament outright:
4th-8th favourite to win - final (Uruguay, Argentina, Belgium, Colombia)
1st-4th favourite to win - win the tournament (Spain, France, Brazil, Germany)
Or is that too relaxed?
Ryan Shawcross could have played for Wales, but only wanted to play for England.
Gives the ball away about 20 times a game.
My take on some of the others; Think Barkley, Sturridge, Walcott still have something to offer England in the future, granted all three have had poor seasons (mainly injury) but all they need is a decent unbroken run in their respective sides and they are all right back in the frame for me - the ability is there and all three are game-changers on their day.
I'd say all the rest have played their last games for England at this point - although looking at the attacking options we have taken with us, Defoe and/or Carroll could have been a slightly different option that Southgate may regret not having if we are looking for a goal with 10 to go and only having Wellbeck or Rashford to call on - they aren't exactly the type you can lump it up to, or lethal enough of a finisher as Defoe to sniff out a chance by being in the right place at the right time. Time will tell on that one though.