One player from England's past in this Squad

harms

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Bobby Moore.

Tom Finney as a smart pick who can play the roles of orthodox and inverted winger and second striker — essentially upgrading any of Alli/Lingard/Sterling positions when needed.
 

Snow

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Isn't the answer always Bobby Charlton? Easy swap for Henderson in the first team.
 

Dante

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A young, goalscoring Scholes in place of Sterling would be brilliant.

A slightly older, box-to-box Scholes in place of Alli would be fantastic.

A veteran DLP Scholes in place of Henderson would be amazing.
 

Kag

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This team lacks a midfield talisman.

Gascoigne or (and I don't like admitting this) Gerrard would be brilliant in the attacking midfield positions. Scholes, too, although I think he'd be more effective in a different set up.
 

Dante

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This team lacks a midfield talisman.

Gascoigne or (and I don't like admitting this) Gerrard would be brilliant in the attacking midfield positions. Scholes, too, although I think he'd be more effective in a different set up.
Scholes would be effective in any setup. It's what elevates him above Pirlo and Xavi. Scholes can reinvent himself into whatever he needs to be (in central positions where his lack of pace wouldn't be an issue).

He was world-class in at least 3 totally different roles. A proper footballer's footballer. Underrated by a lot of fans - even many that actually rate him.
 
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hellhunter

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Although Scholes, Gascoigne or the likes make more sense, having Beckham's crosses with how strong this England team seems to be at corners and in the air, could do wonders.
 

El Zoido

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Gascoigne for sure, I think he'd make a bigger difference to this team than Scholes.
 

harms

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Why? Surely Dier is enough as far as defensive midfielder goes. Charlton did everything Henderson does but better.
Isn't England's formation a

Kane -- Sterling
Alli -- Lingard
Young ---- Henderson ---- Trippier
Maguaire -- Stones -- Walker
Pickford
To play Charlton in Henderson's place would be not just a waste, but a blasphemy.
 

Brwned

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Bobby Moore for me. In a system that gives defenders so much responsibility for building the attacks, it's painful watching that back three with plenty of composure but so little vision.

Most remembered for his tackle on Pele and Jock Stein's quote about his reading of the game, I think his playmaking has largely been forgotten. Ramsey called him the heartbeat of the team not only because of his leadership and calming presence, but because he was at the centre of the game in almost every match.

It's kind of remarkable that he had the most passes in the World Cup final despite playing with Bobby Charlton and against Beckenbauer, Overath and co. The fact he got two assists with them, one with either foot, is a bit special.
 

nutmegrush

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Skinhead Beckham in for Henderson, set piece threat, distribution, etc
 

Snow

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Isn't England's formation a

Kane -- Sterling
Alli -- Lingard
Young ---- Henderson ---- Trippier
Maguaire -- Stones -- Walker
Pickford
To play Charlton in Henderson's place would be not just a waste, but a blasphemy.
Somehow I thought that Dier had been playing the Henderson role but I was mistaken.

In any case I stand by putting in Charlton and playing another formation. Walker as a CB is just trouble and the defense as a whole has been unimpressive.
 

Renegade

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08/09 Gerrard. The AM that played behind Torres. The way this team play on the break with pace. Gerrard would be perfect. Can score from range,workrate,creative and would feed off Kane. Good on set pieces too.
 

Bastian

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For this system, Scholes. Not far off, Ashley Cole.
 

lewwoo

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Gazza in his prime was the most exciting and gifted player to ever wear the 3 lions so him.
 

Joga Bonito

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Bryan Robson for me.

Henderson is arguably the weakest link out there and whilst he does a pretty decent job, it's one area which could be improved upon.

Whilst it's kind of a waste to play Robson as the sole midfielder, and not fully utilise his attacking prowess, his tactical discipline (playing in a midfield duo with Hoddle for instance) and all round game will allow him to slot in pretty well. Esp with the back 3 and 2 fairly industrious attacking midfielders ahead of him in Lingard and Alli.
 

Barca84

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Lads peak Bryan Robson would take this team to the final and possibly lift it.
 

#07

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For this system, Michael Carrick. We’re playing with a single holding player and our options are Henderson and Dier.

Defensively Paul Ince was better than Carrick, as a passer Paul Scholes was better, but combining the attributes we need for that base of midfield? Carrick all day.
 

Inter Yer Nan

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I really only like to go off my lifetime (watching since 1990) and I think it’s hard.

There were world class defenders like Terry and Ferdinand and you say what having an absolute world beater at the back means for Uruguay who also have what would be described as an average midfield. But then you look at the midfield and it’s crying out for a world class player. Gazza obviously would be that link between midfield and Kane who will strike fear into the opponent and is capable of influencing a game on his own or there’s Scholes who’s capable of controlling a game.

Very tough choice but given the potential opponents I’d say Scholes because I feel some games England will really need some control in the midfield and to keep the ball. Not to mention that vision to give Kane 2-3 real goal scoring chances.

Obviously very difficult to choose.
 

Reiver

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It's got to be a midfielder, this is where England are weakest and ultimately I think it will be their undoing in this tournament. Any team where Henderson is the strongest CM will find it difficult to win the World Cup.

One of Scholes, Gazza or Robson, I'd go with Gazza.
 

DWelbz19

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For this system, Michael Carrick. We’re playing with a single holding player and our options are Henderson and Dier.

Defensively Paul Ince was better than Carrick, as a passer Paul Scholes was better, but combining the attributes we need for that base of midfield? Carrick all day.
My first thought was Carrick too, to be honest. I think a prime Michael Carrick would play that Henderson role perfectly.
 

rcoobc

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I think Kane's doing just fine... Basically the last player that needs improving and I spent plenty of time ridiculing his goal tally.
He spent the last game in Midfield.

He's spent every other game behind Sterling.

We have no striker.

If this is our current team


Sterling
- - - -- Kane
Alli -- Lingard
Young ---- Henderson ---- Trippier
Maguaire -- Stones -- Walker
Pickford
This is our formation with Shearer

Shearer
- - - -- Kane
Alli/Sterling -- Lingard
Young ---- Henderson ---- Trippier
Maguaire -- Stones -- Walker
Pickford​
 

The holy trinity 68

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Bobby Charlton or Bobby Moore.

People are saying that we need a top cm for this team. Then don’t even mention Charlton. Player of the tournament the year we won the WC.
 

Devil81

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This team needs a top class midfielder, I'd go with Paul Scholes.
 

SirSteve4

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Lads peak Bryan Robson would take this team to the final and possibly lift it.
Robbo hands down. Can play the Henderson role to perfection and move up if you need to chase the game. He wasn’t called Captain Marvel for nothing