England Squad - Euro 2024

I think it should do but you absolutely can guarantee that he'll crowbar Henderson in there alongside Rice.

 

You probably offer more than Henderson.

 

Keepers, it's if Pope is fit again in time to get gametime. Pickford didn't look totally comfortable over the two games, and common sense says you take Ramsdale and Pope as the back ups as they are the best. But if Pickford drops form or gets injured, do you want 2 keepers who have barely played for months? I think a Johnstone or Trafford might go ahead of Pope depending on his end of season.

Yeah i think those 4 CBs will be the ones he takes. I think he wants Ben White, hence the media interviews around him and even Rice doing an interview with the sole purpose of saying "he'll talk to Ben". I think Southgate wants White more than maybe Gomez or Konsa. But as you can see with his use of Konsa and Gomez, he wants versatile CBs, which made me think he might want Colwill as he can play LB. TAA can play midfield too, Tripper can play both sides at full back. Seemingly he wants people who can fill in. Unless he drops one of Gomez and Konsa for Chilwell? And thinks they need 2 proper LBs because neither can stay fit. I think it was before the last PL games, that Chilwell and Shaw haven't played more than 12 games each this season, cant remember if that was in total or just PL.

I think it's either 2 of Gallagher, Mainoo and Henderson, and 3 strikers. Or all 3 midfielders go and it's one of Toney and Watkins (likely Watkins). Then yeah, a shoot out between Palmer and Bowen, maybe Grealish if he gets fit, probably goes down to who finishes better. Gallagher might have an edge again because of his versatility. He can play 6 if Rice drops, he can play 8 as thats what he does now, he played 10 for Palace.

I think there are 17 nailed on places on the plane at the minute baring injury (counting Konsa/Gomez as 1 at the min, i think both go but 1 for sure will). The rest will be whatever cover he wants in spots. Awful feeling around Mainoo getting shut out for Henderson for the experience, think that's the inner distain for Southgate-ball though.
GK - Pickford, Ramsdale
FB - Walker, Arnold, Trippier, Shaw
CB - Stones, Maguire, Gomez/Konsa
CM - Rice, Bellingham, Maddison
WG - Saka, Foden, Rashford
ST - Kane, Watkins

 

I didn't see it but it's good to hear Mainoo did well, we need another option in the holding role.

I'm hearing Bowen played well in both games too although he'll obviously struggle to get a start once Saka is available.

 

I've just read yours and @Jordan posts above but I think I see it slightly different in that he'll only take one of Watkins or Toney and use Rashford or even Bellingham in a false 9 to cover an emergency.

I think that opens up another midfield spot which might see Palmer scrape in.

 

I think Palmer goes over a third striker. Even when we've chased games in tournaments under Southgate, he's looked to Mount and Grealish over his striker options. Also, Palmer from pens might be a consideration? Cant ever have enough of those in the squad as we all well know....

But as you say, what the fans would do and what every expects GS would do are completely different things!

 

It's one of very few talking points in the squad, so the media are going to over-hype the backup midfield battle beyond belief in the coming weeks. But i think 99% of us would take Mainoo over Henderson, but Southgate does what Southgate has done and makes Henderson out to be some god of midfield.

Although, if the rumours are true and Southgate is going to be the next United manager, he might want to make some relationship with Mainoo now?

 

I like both, but i think Toney is the better like for like replacement for Kane. Although as i said before, GS doesn't seem to ever use 2 up top even when chasing in past tournaments, he just floods the wing/AM options and as Watkins can play up front but also run the channels, he probably gets the nod. I think I'd take both and keep my options open. Toney from set pieces is a massive threat for Brentford, but again with so many others in the squad, it's getting them to play the Southgate way, which is seemingly aim for Maguire no matter what from a dead ball.