Bit harsh mate. I would say he is a lot more than a minor squad player. Probably one of the first 2 or 3 names on the teamsheet. Someone like Maddison would be a minor squad player. Definitions of what make you world class vary it seems. Not sure how it can be defined. It can be just winning big trophies as some never get the chance. Messi has never won a world cup or euros but is world class. For me it is if you are one of the best 2 or 3 in the world in your position. If there was a world squad picked of 26 would you be in it. I reckon we have a couple. Walker would be as good as a right side defender anywhere for me. I reckon Kane might make it as well. I would probably argue Foden makes a world 26, and I would even consider Rice, but wouldnt die in a ditch arguing it. He is very very good in his position though. It is all very subjective...
Why not mate. This tournament favours the brave so far. Teams who have been cautious are on the way home.
Looking at the Brazil side it seems to me their depth of squad is good, but is it as good as Englands? One of our strengths is the depth we have, at least in midield and forward areas. Probably just centre back we could be weakoned notably. The more I watch the more I think we are as good as anyone here. A game against Brazil, or France, could turn on a refs decision, it might be so close.
A lot depends on how we are set up, against the better teams we can't afford to sit back as there is a mistake waiting to happen with our centre backs. We look so much better when we play on the front foot
Mind you, I feel that way about SAFC. If you have attacking talent then use it, let the opposition change their style to combat it
I agree and disagree mate. I think when we play on the front foot, and get the pace of Rashford, Sterling, Saka etc beyond Kane we look like scoring all the time. Flip side is we are very good at keep ball, and a patient game. We made Wales look silly first half the other night, although they are miles off a top team. I also think our two centre halves have been excellent so far. I do take your point though, we have the sort of moment in us that Spain had last night, if we over cook it at the back. Pickford 95% of the time is great with the ball at his feet, but every so often he puts us right in it. I am relaxed about it, we can go both ways.