I am one of the now not so lucky ones who got tickets to quite a few games for last summers tournament that never made it.
Who knows what the tournament will look like at this stage, with UEFA still committing to 12 host cities (crazy) but for arguments sake let’s say it’s played behind closed doors as seems most likely.
Nevertheless, it’s still a topic of hot discussion amongst me and my mates, with the tournament barely 5 months away, it’s an easy way for all of us to sort of unite among the common ground of wanting the national team to succeed and somehow emulate the summer of 2018 both on and off the field.
We’ve started drawing up our potential 23 man squad and starting XI’s so thought I would get the ball rolling in here, albeit slightly prematurely.
My 23 man squad would be:
Pope
Pickford
Henderson
Chillwell
Shaw
Maguire
Stones
Mings
Dier
Walker
Trippier
Trent
Henderson
Rice
Mount
Maddison
Foden
Grealish
Rashford
Sancho
Kane
Sterling
DCL
Be interested to see who makes it atm with a lot of players on the cusp with a few hitting decent form such as Saka and Harvey Barnes who both probably will narrowly miss out imo.
Comments
I can't see Maddison going. Not because i don't think he deserves to go, but more because we have a ton of attacking options already. If one of Henderson/Rice got injured then you're down to one defensive midfielder, so if Southgate thinks like that then maybe Kalvin Phillips will go.
If he decides that Dier can double up and play defensive mid, then i can see Saka going because he's naturally left sided.
I just think with Mount, Foden and Grealish there's no real need for Maddison.
Rest of the squad (injuries aside) i think you have spot on and pretty much picks itself.
He's not getting in ahead of Maguire or Stones. Or Gomez if he's fit in time. His teammate Mings is probably ahead of him too and i doubt he gets in ahead of Dier as he can also cover defensive mid if required. Possibly also behind Coady who did well in the last round of internationals although Wolves' form has been shit for weeks.
James
Took the original post and put in Reece James (my choice for starting RB) for Kieran Trippier, and Michael Keane for Kyle Walker.
Could possibly argue Maddison could be replaced by Kalvin Phillips, but I feel Dier can cover there if need be. Potential for Saka to also be included instead.
Pope
Henderson
Pickford
Chillwell
Saka
Stones
Maguire
dier
walker
trippier
Trent
Hendo
Rice
Mount
Grealish
Foden
Maddison
Phillips
Kane
Sancho
Rashy
Sterling
DCL
(Ive got James Justin at 25/1 to make the England squad, here's hoping he goes as the second left back)
Southgate is incredibly loyal to certain players and I think we need do need to capitalise on using the players with decent tournament experience.
Although like you say, the betting thing hanging over him is a spanner in the works for sure.
For the record I would have James over Trent but I tried to pick my squad being realistic and it was also a sort of prediction. Trents form as been woeful although James hasn't been much better. Notable poor performances against Arsenal and Leicester stand out. I think Trent will get in and probably start based off pure reputation.
I really hope Philips doesn't go, don't think he has done anywhere near enough apart from playing for Leeds.
In regard to having a lot of attacking 'midfielders' I think we can't forget that Southgate rightly or wrongly, see's Grealish as an attacker and will play him on the left of a front three rather than deeper. So in terms of creative midfielders that would only mean having Mount and Foden so would free up space for Maddison.
I agree that he deserves to go too, although if one will miss out I could too see it being Maddison mainly because he hasn't been involved in the other recent squads due to injury and not being selected.
TAA, Maguire, Stones, Chilwell
Henderson, Rice
Grealish
Foden, Kane, Sterling
This is my XI, pending that TAA and Sterling sort their form out or I’d go with Justin and Rashford instead, could argue Sancho should start but to be honest I don’t follow German football so not sure on his form.
Tierney went past James far to easily when Chelsea played Arsenal.
Interesting. I actually think Kyle Walker is the first name on the list in Southgates mind because he is a strong RB and fits into the role of RCB in a back 3 very well. His pace covering for the other 2 CB's is almost invaluable.
RB - Trent/James. Wan-Bissaka, Walker, Tripper, Justin, absolute outstanding depth here.
LB- Chilwell/Shaw
CB - Maguire, Keane, Stones, Mings
CM - Henderson, Dier, Rice
AM/Wingers - Foden, Grealish, Sancho, Sterling
STR - Kane, DCL, Rashford
2 places up for grabs for me. Probably a CM and an attacking player. I'd probably have Mount, Saka and Maddison competing for one place, all three having good seasons. Phillips has been decent, wouldn't rule out James Ward-Prowse or even Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Back four is tough. Chilwell LB is about the only one I'm confident in starting and even he has defensive liabilities. Can't believe I'm saying it but I'd start James over TAA too. If we had a better CB pairing I'd maybe risk Trent but think James suits the way we'll play. CB's he'll probably go Maguire and whoever is in the best form hopefully.
Midfield is Henderson +2. This is where I'd like to see us go balls to the wall and play Foden and Mount in the easier games. Mount slightly deeper, Foden ahead.
Front 3 has to be Sterling, Kane, Grealish. Has a mixture of pace, power, and techincal ability. That could be the best attack in the tournament.
I'd say we've really got to be looking at a Semi Final here. I can understand our defensive frailties set us back a little, but that is the most attacking talent we've had in an England side in ages. At worst go out in the Quarters, but go out trying to score goals.