Gaya? Valencia finished 13th in La Liga and conceded 53 goals. He's had a rough month or so, but he'll be fuming about that.
Spain are not what they used to be. France look so strong on paper; Portugal not too bad. Belgium are definitely better equipped. England might have a chance, but I still think we lack the ability to control the ball in midfield and the defence is always an accident waiting to happen. Stats against lesser teams in qualifying mask the vulnerability against quick passing and/or pace in behind the better teams can produce when it matters.
We have good attacking players, but look very short at centre back - if Maguire is missing Stones will partnered by either Dier, Coady or Mings!!!
I think that as more squads get named we can see another measure of just how far we have regressed in recent seasons. At the last world cup we were supplying a quarter of the England squad and often half of starting outfield players. This summer we will supply the England captain and thats it (Dier might make the squad but shouldn't). Across the tournament as a whole we look like having just 8 players taking part (9 if you include Bale, and 3 of those are Welsh), I am sure we have had double that at previous tournaments.
I mean, obviously the number will be lower than the last World Cup as nobody is expecting Son or Sanchez to feature at the Euros...
They normally run our players into the ground and we start the campaign with a half-dead team, so I'm not that bothered.
On paper there's an abundance of talent there, it'll be cut to 26 for the tournament I believe but Southgate really should play to the squad's strengths. If we see 5ATB or playing 4231 with the 2 both being DMs it'll hold us back. Utilise the creativity we have, it'll hurt teams. Assuming all are fit come the Croatia game, I'd love to see: Pickford Tripps, Maguire, Stones, Chilwell/ Saka Rice, Mount Rashford, Foden, Grealish Kane Tripps may rise eyebrows, especially for the Liverpool supporting contingent but he was probably England's best player at the World Cup and I think he does well in general in an England squad.
Just clocked Ings didn't get a call up... That's madness! He's England's second best striker behind Kane.
Oh boy, Man Utd fans are not happy at Wan Bissaka not being in the squad Yes, I am aware I could have stopped after the eighth word
For me the 7 who drop out are: Sam Johnstone Reece James Trippier Ben Godfrey/Ben White Calvert-Lewin Mason Greenwood Lingard This is assuming/hoping for a 4-3-3 and a return to the dynamic play we had a couple of years back before Southgate became obsessed with our defence being **** and believing that playing a turgid 3 at the back system was the way forward. D.Henderson Walker Maguire Stones Shaw J.Henderson Rice Mount Foden Kane Rashford
I know Pope is due to have an operation, but it is minor and I thought the expectation was that he'd be back in time? Very weak goalkeeping options.
Hard to pick the 7 that will miss out it will partly depend on whether Henderson (J), and Maguire are fit. I think Southgate will drop Ramsdale, Trent, Godfrey, White, Saka, Ward-Prowse and Watkins - With Godfrey & Ward Prowse reprieved if the injured don't make it. or if anyone is injured in the european finals
I assume Godfrey and White are there as cover for Maguire. Then Ramsdale, one RB - probably James as TA-A’s stock has risen sharply recently even though he’s not a great defender, Greenwood or Watkins, Lingard or Ward-Prowse and maybe Mings as I don’t see the need for so many CBs when Chigwell and Walker can play there and Saka offers back up left wing back if 3 CBs are picked
