That Stones mush at Everton must be amazing in Everton Reserves. Surely a player like that is better staying in the U21's?
What has Welbeck done to be included in that squad, he has hardly featured yet this season, or is the age old selection method of relying on a players past record or who they play for more important ?
Well, the thing is, is that he used to be a CB in the Academy, and could play in midfield too. He only decided to convert to RB to get his adult career underway with Saints. For the England UXX setup he's always been recognised as a CB or midfielder and has played in those positions mainly. Of course, where there is no superior senior competition around his experience and reputation could grow. One or two Saints supporters must be wondering how England and Wenger have unearthed all this versatility and quality out of Chambers. Well, fact is, it was always there, but there were better players in front of him at Saints. The only position he could effectively occupy was RB while Clyne was injured. We know how Chambers managed to keep Nat out of the team for a while after he came back, so it shows that all Chambers needed was games at senior level to grow. Members may recall that he would occasionally have a better game than Shaw, even when Shaw was having another good 'un. While the general lazy football media thought we took the shirt off Arsenal's back, I thought at the time that £16M wasn't going to be a bargain for very long. Not with his undeniable potential.
I really regret the loss of Chambers. He is mature beyond his years, is highly thought of in the England set up and shows real flashes of promise when he got forward. I put him easily at Shaw's level, but is more intelligent and has a better chance of succeeding than Shaw. Not wishing ill on Luke...I hope he will learn a lesson from the slap across the knuckles he has received at United.
Chambers has started the season well no doubt, but I can pretty well guarantee that he could have played as well for Saints and not been selected. Really though you should not be picking players for England after a couple of games. Look how Townsend was a world beater after one game for England and has done nothing since.
Might not be the quality necessary but at least with Delph we have a proper defensive midfielder. Good to see Smalling axed, but Jones should be too. Clyne not getting in the England squad sums up this set-up and Hodgsons poor management of putting square pegs in round holes. Clyne has played for England at the lower age groups. Has played premier league football consistently well for the last two seasons at right back and yet England have gone for two players in Chambers and Stones that their club managers think should be playing centre half. Rooney as Captain **** England!
Roy's a coward, England are crap. I'm looking forward to not giving a damn about the national teams failure. I've been liberated.
Is everyone raving about the CB that leapt into a challenge on the half way line like a schoolboy, while Lukaku burst forward to set up a goal? Chambers is good, but way too early to be jumping on any "next best thing" band wagons.
Smalling came off injured at the weekend. Unfortunately I suspect that is why he wasn't selected, as opposed to Roy realising that he isn't good enough and dropping him.
That sticks with the narrative of me thinking he is incompetent. The FA & Hodgson banged the drum so hard about the lack of English talent that it seemed to trick the media into thinking we didn't stand a chance and they've overlooked his inept tactics and team selection. Usually they'd be all over an England manager by now
