Plus, I’d be tempted to try Wharton at the base of our midfield, which would give Rice more of an opportunity to rove forwards - which is what he does for Arsenal with Jorginho behind him.

Don't you take away so many of the things that Bellingham brings to a team including goals if you play him deep in midfield?

This France team looks like it means business, dayum.

Trying to get Bellingham, Saka and Foden into the same team is always going to be difficult. Southgate tried it by shifting Foden out left and it didn't work. Foden operates more from the right for City but then that means dropping Saka.

Unless Saka can play on the left but I can't recall him playing there. It's a conundrum, not too dissimilar to when Sven tried to get all of Scholes, Lamps and Gerrard into the same team by playing Scholes on the left.

comment by CSTP (U1453)
posted 51 minutes ago
England losing to Iceland is up there
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What... like we did last week you mean

How old is kanté now...?

comment by Superb (U6486)
posted 8 minutes ago
Trying to get Bellingham, Saka and Foden into the same team is always going to be difficult. Southgate tried it by shifting Foden out left and it didn't work. Foden operates more from the right for City but then that means dropping Saka.

Unless Saka can play on the left but I can't recall him playing there. It's a conundrum, not too dissimilar to when Sven tried to get all of Scholes, Lamps and Gerrard into the same team by playing Scholes on the left.
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And where do you put Palmer

comment by Sheriff JW Pepper (U1007)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Superb (U6486)
posted 8 minutes ago
Trying to get Bellingham, Saka and Foden into the same team is always going to be difficult. Southgate tried it by shifting Foden out left and it didn't work. Foden operates more from the right for City but then that means dropping Saka.

Unless Saka can play on the left but I can't recall him playing there. It's a conundrum, not too dissimilar to when Sven tried to get all of Scholes, Lamps and Gerrard into the same team by playing Scholes on the left.
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And where do you put Palmer
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Honestly I'd have Palmer in the side on the right if I was picking the team.

Pickford
Walker Guehi Stones Shaw
Rice Wharton
Palmer Bellingham Gordon
Kane

If not Wharton then anyone else in the squad who can hold and allow Rice to get more involved in the game.

And yes that means both Saka and Foden starting on the bench. I know the fangirls won't be happy.

Foden has played on the left for Man City, but not so much this season. Hopefully we’ll get a chance to experiment a little in the 3rd game, if we can win against Denmark on Thursday

comment by Superb (U6486)
posted 48 minutes ago
Don't you take away so many of the things that Bellingham brings to a team including goals if you play him deep in midfield?

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The objective is to get the best balanced team on the pitch. Bellingham is an absolute baller,he is just as good as a 6, 8 or 10.

Foden doesn't have that versatility but he is an excellent 10, so play him there rather than waste him in the wrong position and Gordon on the bench.

Palmer impact sub.

It’s surreal we sold Tomori and Guehi for £50m combined, then lost Rudiger and AC for free a year later.

Then signed some French jabronis for way more than that. And missed out on Kounde in the process.

Absolute disasterclass across two different ownerships.

Bring on Giroud. Thuram has been quiet

So play Bellingham out of position just to accommodate Foden at number 10 who's never set the world alight in an England shirt ? Not for me.

And would Bellingham and Rice really be the right CM combo ? Not for me either as it's also asking Rice to play as the holding midfielder which isn't what he's about as he's more box to box. Everyone is out of position in that system just to accomodate Foden.

comment by CSTP (U1453)
posted 1 minute ago
It’s surreal we sold Tomori and Guehi for £50m combined, then lost Rudiger and AC for free a year later.

Then signed some French jabronis for way more than that. And missed out on Kounde in the process.

Absolute disasterclass across two different ownerships.
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It's like a perfect storm of fck ups. Wasn't sad to see Christensen go but to get nothing for him or Rudi is a real mess.

comment by Superb (U6486)
posted 9 minutes ago
So play Bellingham out of position just to accommodate Foden at number 10 who's never set the world alight in an England shirt ? Not for me.

And would Bellingham and Rice really be the right CM combo ? Not for me either as it's also asking Rice to play as the holding midfielder which isn't what he's about as he's more box to box. Everyone is out of position in that system just to accomodate Foden.
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It's not playing him out of position. It's playing him in position because he plays all three just as well.

comment by Superb (U6486)
posted 11 minutes ago
So play Bellingham out of position just to accommodate Foden at number 10 who's never set the world alight in an England shirt ? Not for me.

And would Bellingham and Rice really be the right CM combo ? Not for me either as it's also asking Rice to play as the holding midfielder which isn't what he's about as he's more box to box. Everyone is out of position in that system just to accomodate Foden.
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It's not to accommodate Foden,it's to get the best balanced team on the pitch and fully unleash its potential.

Speaking about his preferred position, Bellingham added: “I feel most comfortable playing as a number eight, as a box-to-box midfielder and having a bigger impact on the opposition goal. When I’m playing as a number six, a defensive midfielder, I can dictate the tempo of the game but when we’re creating chances and shooting on goal, I’m a bit far away. I’d rather be part of the action.”

That was obviously before he went to Madrid, but that doesn't obliterate the fact that he is an excellent 8, and the best 8 option thant we have in the squad

That's an old comment though. He's been happily playing in more advanced positions for Real Madrid all season. Would present day Bellingham want to play deeper in midfield now ? Not sure at all.

comment by Superb (U6486)
posted less than a minute ago
That's an old comment though. He's been happily playing in more advanced positions for Real Madrid all season. Would present day Bellingham want to play deeper in midfield now ? Not sure at all.
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He wants to win fir England end of the day. He makes a contribution either way cause he is a unique player.

I don't think the set up is too bad other than the left hand side where there's imbalance. I think it's more to do with us not having a left footed LB, Trippier just comes inside all the time.

Germany had both their no 10s playing in the wide areas but coming into pockets - Musiala and Wirtz

lol Thuram

comment by T.J (U15973)
posted 11 minutes ago
I don't think the set up is too bad other than the left hand side where there's imbalance. I think it's more to do with us not having a left footed LB, Trippier just comes inside all the time.

Germany had both their no 10s playing in the wide areas but coming into pockets - Musiala and Wirtz
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I don't like any of the midfield options to play with Rice nor the wastage of attacking talent sat on the bench. Think to win this we need to be bold. Instead of playing desperate hoofball agst the likes of Serbia.

I think he wants to get Trent in because of his quality on the ball, doesn't trust him at RB so he's giving him a go in midfield.

He's not brave enough to play a midfield two of Rice and Bellingham, understandable given the defence is probably our weakest point in the team. Although in the group you could argue it's worth taking this risk given the opposition

Kante MOTM