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England Discussion
- Thread starter Samid
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No matter what happens against France, Southgate will live to see another tournament unless he decides otherwise, for getting us to this point 
Good on Sterling to travel home in these circumstances
I think Henderson will be on the bench and one of Sake or Rashford will start.
That said, I wouldn't be hugely shocked if he goes with the same team as today. Have Henderson focus on helping defensively on the right hand side.
I actually fancy you against France. Southgate struggles with teams that can confiscate the ball the way Croatia 2018 and Italy 2021 did (Spain are the best at that, the only menace to England IMO)… This France side (like Portugal) is a more “direct” team with less ball control.This is trueI'd be in shock if we actually did France. Never fancy us against one of the big boys.
However, it's coming home
Also worth saying good on Southgate for creating an environment where players feel able to do things like that which are the right thing. No chance this happens under say, Capello.
Haha, that’s a good one. Do you really think Saka is better then Dembélé ?
All French players play in biggest clubs in the world, but they are not having much…
I am not saying France is much better, it will be really close, both teams are stocked. But your stance is ridiculous.
I would. I don’t see Tchouameni adding all that much just yet while Kane drops so deep it becomes a midfield 4 which gives England the advantage anyway. The best ball player out of all of those is a number 9 who drops a little too deep for my liking.
I’m not the biggest Rice fan on here but I’m not going to pretend Rabiot is suddenly this elite player that is above him. At most it’s a push and that being very generous to Rabiot
Agreed. Southgate has his flaws, but there are a lot of rights about him as well
I do. Saka has been better than Dembele for a long time now
France are a level above and should win. For England it would be their biggest world cup win since '66
No sh*t Sherlock, they are world champions.
4 years is a long time in football. That France beats England. imo this France could but aren’t favourites to do so.
How did you know my name was Sherlock?
Spain would pop the ball around England no problem imo.That said I'm basing that on them actually starting Rodri at DM which probably won't happen unless Busquets is suspended. I actually think a few posters during the match comparing this England to Man. United of 18 months back under OGS are bang on.
Side that can drop off for 20-30 minutes but stay in the game and a couple of lethal counter attacks later can comfortably be in the lead. England certainly have some of the best final third players in World football currently.
If I was France I'd seriously consider bringing Camavinga in for this just to counter Bellingham a bit more. That's probably a tweak Southgate wouldn't expect. Can still have Griezmann in number 10 role and push Mbappe a bit more centrally.
Pre-SouthgateNo matter what happens against France, Southgate will live to see another tournament unless he decides otherwise, for getting us to this point
Euro 2016 - no knockout wins (Iceland Last 16)
World cup 2014 - Failed at Group Stage
Euro 2012 - no knockout wins (Italy QF)
World cup 2010 - no knockout wins (Germany last 16)
Euro 2008 - Failed to qualify
Even the "golden generation" from 2002-2006 got only two knock-out wins in 3 tournaments
I'm not Southgate's biggest fan, but he needs a little more respect
Saka is comfortably better than Dembélé.
Yeah, Mbappé is already 23 years old, on his last leg. Varane is 29 or something, retired. Griezmann can’t run anymore, right ? They now have kids who plays for Madrid or Bayern in midfield and defense, should go home already, it’s coming home right ?
I have seen nothing from England that tells me they are favorites. Should be a good game with equal teams. Mbappé is the best player by far and it can count.
The only spot where England has an no-contest better player is RB. You actually have 3 of 4 of those.
CF should be another one but on current tournament form Kane is not better than Giroud.
For the record I'm not saying that in all other spots France's players are better either.
CF should be another one but on current tournament form Kane is not better than Giroud.
For the record I'm not saying that in all other spots France's players are better either.
If I was Deschamps I'd be starting Coman in this one. Or Camavinga and a formation change.
While I don't think it's an outrageous claim, Dembele has been very good this tournament and the last few months
Ridiculous. Theo hernandez is miles better than any RB England have. Kounde is a better CB. Rabiot has been superb for Juve this year. Dembele has been ripping it up at Barca for quite a while now. Giroud has largely outperformed Kane. And Tchouaméni is an incredible talent.
What makes Dembele better? Saka has been sensational for a long time now. I’m not biased in any way here, Saka is stupidly well rounded for the age he is.
Especially when half the starting players of 2018 are missing this time.
Of the top of my head, L Hernandez-Umtiti-Pogba-Kanté-Matuidi.
The current squad is closer to the one that failed at Euro 2020 before winning NL in 2021, beating Belgium and Spain.
The LB?
Southgate to park the bus against France.
Hernandez is a LB, Kounde played for them as RB today. Aside from that....
I assume they'll bring Pavard back in at RB unless he's injured so that will give France balance for Theo to really support Mbappe down the left.
Well, you haven’t seen Dembélé for a long time then. He is a different player now. I have not seen a dribbler like that in a long time.
But you seem to be the kind of guy to think everything from the Premier League is better.
And Deschamps to park the bus against England
Ball at the center both teams waiting for the other to make a move
They’re not especially without Benzema.
The issue for England is not quality or even the manager it’s belief and confidence . Give this group of players to Italy and I would be confident they beat France.
That’s awful, good on Sterling for doing the right thing and showing his priorities.
Hopefully he can return and be involved further.
Saka is bang on average. He cant beat players as easily and dembele. bembele puts real pressure on the opposition whenever he has the ball. his only issue is his finishing.
I think Rabiot has been surprisingly excellent. Didn’t realize how big he was. As tenacious as England’s midfield can be, he’s not going to be easily dispossessed.
Pretty sure Kounde plays right back for France and isn’t miles better than Walker. Stones is better than the walking mistake from Bayern. Rabiot is playing relatively well for Juve but Juve are in crisis and have been shit all year. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, plus we are only 14 league games in, this season is hardly a large sample size.
For example this is your opinion on magnificent Rabiot only 3 months ago
Rabiot will improve our midfield significantly for a few years, sorry state of affairs but that's how it is. At this stage... we probably deserve him.
His performances must have been out of this world for three months to be so good that it’s ridiculous to even compare Jude fecking Bellingham or Rice to such a midfielder!
Plus Giroud is not out performing Kane, that’s a ridiculous statement to make
At speaking English maybe.
England and France are around the same level I think, too close to call really. Should be a really interesting match.
I'd probably add Bellingham, maybe Shaw will make it over Theo as well on tournament form, he's brilliant.
I think only Walker/Trippier, Bellingham and Shaw would maybe start for France out of our current team, even Bellingham is a bit iffy as Rabiot is the better passer out of the 2 and is important to how France play.
So Henderson... On paper I wouldn't have him in my team but Klopp seems to trust him and England lack leaders and he's a leader 100% especially when it gets tough vs France.