How good is this England squad

Jedi boro

Jedi boro

Well-known member
In your honest opinion how do you rate the squad as a whole.

Is it a squad that can win a tournament.
 
It's 100% good enough to win a tournament, we were a few inches from doing so 2 years ago, whether it will is a different matter entirely.

We've went close in repeated World Cups too, and a few key moments went against us.

We've got weaknesses, but every national team does.
 
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SE4 Red said:
Maybe the best of my lifetime, especially in the final 3rd, and yes I think we can.
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I would agree with you and not only that they are all playing at a high level across Europe and have tournament experience.

That bench and depth is staggering isn’t it. Maybe an out a striker is the only real worry as losing kane who comes in but we could adapt.
 
Honest opinion:

GK - Above average for a world cup/euro GK, but no GKs in the top 5 in the world

FB - Very, very good options, but lots perma-crocks in James, Chillwell, Shaw. Walker is still world class despite getting on a bit.

CBs - Stones is world class, but he lacks a top quality partner

CM - Rice isn't in the world class bracket of previous players like Scholes or Gerrard, but he is very very good, Philips is a good CDM certainly comparable to Butt etc but doesn't play at club level.

Wide forwards / wingers - lots of options in these roles, and real top top talents, this is our area of strength

10 - we have a truly world class 10, potential superstar in this role, if he stays fit and on form he's a game changer

CF - One world class CF, but a huge drop off after that to Watkins, Toney and Wilson.

We've had more complete squads than this, 1990 and 96. In 2006 we had arguably 8 world class talents surrounded by great pros. That's probably the best squad we've ever had.

If we can sort out LB, CB and CDM then we could win a trophy, we're certainly a contender for any competition we are in

Overall we are an 8.5/10 but probably 2nd faves for any euro competition and fourth for a world cup.
 
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We have quality in abundance in many positions. However, we don't have anywhere near the same options at Centre Back.

I'd also be very concerned if we got an injury to Kane or Rice. We've lacked a ball playing defensive midfielder for years................... It'll be Hackney in a few years mind!
 
I think our attacking players are arguably the best in the world.

I don't think I'd swap Kane/Foden/Jude/Saka/Grealish for anyone.

As for the GK, we aren't blessed. It's a weak point...but then Pickford really hasn't let us down.

The defence isn't half as bad as it should be. Stones is fantastic. Walker is arguably the best FB in the world. TAA/Trippier have some of the best passing/delivery in the world. But if we keep going with Maguire at CB, then we will continue to miss out in tournaments because he's very poor.

As for the defensive side of midfield, other than Rice we are very short. Gallagher, Henderson, Phillips aren't good enough. None of them should be in the squad, let alone getting plenty of minutes.
 
Fair comments interesting about GK I agree but do you really need a top top world class keeper at international level prob not.

I’m looking at weak spots so areas where injuries could hurt us and where we have or lack of cover.
 
I don't think its as good as its perceived by the majority both in the UK and elsewhere.

I think we are very lucky to have half a dozen or so exceptional players (Kane, Saka, Foden, Rice, Walker) but I think they cover up a lot of mediocre (in terms of international standards) players in the squad.

As mentioned above a few injuries and this squad is shown for what it is. The Australia match demonstrated that, the 'second string' is pretty average at best.

Do I think we will win a tournament - no unfortunately. But its a fun ride being at the business end of major tournaments for a change!
 
MichaelDebeve said:
think we are very lucky to have half a dozen or so exceptional players (Kane, Saka, Foden, Rice, Walker) but I think they cover up a lot of mediocre (in terms of international standards) players in the squad.
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No Bellingham Maddison stones grealish

I think you’re being a bit harsh there
 
Jedi boro said:
No Bellingham Maddison stones grealish

I think you’re being a bit harsh there
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To be fair I did mean Bellingham! he was supposed to be my first name haha

Although, unpopular opinion alert, the other 2 (Grealish and Maddison) I would put down as good players, but not at the same level as the other 6 named, on par with numerous other players across Europe etc.

In my humble opinion of course!
 
MichaelDebeve said:
To be fair I did mean Bellingham! he was supposed to be my first name haha

Although, unpopular opinion alert, the other 2 (Grealish and Maddison) I would put down as good players, but not at the same level as the other 6 named, on par with numerous other players across Europe etc.

In my humble opinion of course!
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I’d agree (I was amazed no bellingham) but yes I’d agree they are a level doen but I think the potential there.

I think Match winners are what is our big strength now.
 
Jedi boro said:
I’d agree (I was amazed no bellingham) but yes I’d agree they are a level doen but I think the potential there.

I think Match winners are what is our big strength now.
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Agree with that, regardless of the performance we have some key players who can produce individually now, Kane, Saka, Foden, BELLINGHAM - god send for Tournament football.
 
Marvanelli said:
I think our attacking players are arguably the best in the world.

I don't think I'd swap Kane/Foden/Jude/Saka/Grealish for anyone.

As for the GK, we aren't blessed. It's a weak point...but then Pickford really hasn't let us down.

The defence isn't half as bad as it should be. Stones is fantastic. Walker is arguably the best FB in the world. TAA/Trippier have some of the best passing/delivery in the world. But if we keep going with Maguire at CB, then we will continue to miss out in tournaments because he's very poor.

As for the defensive side of midfield, other than Rice we are very short. Gallagher, Henderson, Phillips aren't good enough. None of them should be in the squad, let alone getting plenty of minutes.
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We desperately need another quality CB alongside Stones - even Stones injury record is worrying to be comfortable.
 
There are currently deficiencies in the squad in certain positions, notably centre back, but good players coming through that could improve us in that area.

By the time the likes of Colwill and Lewis are ready for the first 11, we should only have one weakness and that is the drop off from an aging Harry Kane. Hopefully we have a new Owen/Rooney type ready to explode onto the scene in the next few years and if so, I think we'll be contending for every major tournament for the next 10 years.

As it stands, I think only France and Spain have comparable talent going into Euro 2024, although Portugal also have a lot of good players across all positions.
 
Stones is a really good player, but he is still a few levels from world class for me.

An he actually played his best football in a different position over the last year or so.

Still our standout CB without a doubt though.
 
Cardiffdaffs said:
We desperately need another quality CB alongside Stones - even Stones injury record is worrying to be comfortable.
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Agree.

I am optimistic about Colwill and think he could have a good England career. Maybe the Euro's next year just comes too early for him.

But if it's a case of choosing between the unexperienced Colwill, or the experience of Maguire....then give me Colwill every single day of the week.

We already know Maguire isn't good enough...Colwill is a bit of an unknown at International level...so he would be worth the risk.

There's probably only Dunk or Guehi who are the other options.
 
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