Phil Foden

[B_G]

Recently, Foden has looked unplayable in the #10.

Foden on the half turn is probably the best player in the world, in that position.

It's a nice headache for Southgate to have.

Also, Jack Grealish is starting to look like his best again and is coming into some great 'form'.

If he has a very strong end to the season (like he did last season), then Southgate could well have a big decision to make.

I thought Grealish looked really good last night and for that reason I'd probably go towards dropping Bellingham back to the midfield and playing:

---Rice--Bellingham---

Saka--Foden--Grealish

--------Kane--------

I think having that playing understanding between Foden and Grealish could be really useful.

 

[B_G]

Didn’t watch the full match but I’m sure that the commentator said Pep made a tactical switch at halftime and moved Foden from 10 to wide right and put Silva at 10?

To be fair, it was very fluid. It looked like they were switching all night. Grealish was on the left consitently. but Silva and Foden drifted about until Foden went off.

 

[Cambsred]

I thought Grealish looked really good last night and for that reason I'd probably go towards dropping Bellingham back to the midfield and playing:

---Rice--Bellingham---

Saka--Foden--Grealish

--------Kane--------

I think having that playing understanding between Foden and Grealish could be really useful.

I would worry there is not enough defensive cover in that setup. Is really exciting on paper though and would be good to see us go for it.

 

[B_G]

I would worry there is not enough defensive cover in that setup. Is really exciting on paper though and would be good to see us go for it.

That's the obvious concern. It's just missing a Rodri isn't it.
You would just need Rice to anchor and play a Makele holding role.

It takes a little bit away from Rice but I think it would benefit the team.

 

[Caesium137]

I've had a long think about it, and I reckon Foden has a chance of making it on to the plane ahead of Mason Mount this summer.

Only a chance mind.

 

[Marvanelli]

Personally, although that team looks very exciting on paper, the balance would be all wrong and we would get done by clever teams.

Rice isn't anywhere near the level of Rodri or Makelele to play that single anchor role to allow the front 5 to go play. And our defence (centrally) isn't great.

IMO. Southgate has to play someone alongside Rice who is more disciplined. And if that is Jude, then you're taking away all the great things Jude can do.

Therefore, one of Grealish, Jude or Foden needs to miss out.

At the moment, that would be Grealish.

But if Grealish continues to play at this level, then he is giving Southgate a real dilemma.

It will also depend on the opponent too.

Teams nowadays don't have a 'best 11' any more. You see this with Pep at City, Klopp at Liverpool, Arteta at Arsenal - the best teams don't have a 'best 11'. Instead they play the 11 that is best suited to beat the opponent on that day.

Pep plays a completely different way of football against a back 5 compared to back 4 etc. And I think Southgate will do the same.

 

[BoroMart]

That's the obvious concern. It's just missing a Rodri isn't it.
You would just need Rice to anchor and play a Makele holding role.

It takes a little bit away from Rice but I think it would benefit the team.

I'm not sure it's really his role CDM, he can do it at club level in a dominant team, can he do it against France or Germany or Spain? It's a huge gap in our squad, along with a fit and capable LB

 

[BoroMart]

IMO. Southgate has to play someone alongside Rice who is more disciplined. And if that is Jude, then you're taking away all the great things Jude can do.

spot on. Mainoo in a couple of years could be that guy, Rico Lewis maybe even. We do lack that player right now, the natural replacement for Henderson or Philips. The workaholic wave breaker. People obviously focus on the strengths of our team and think we should walk this....but you have to balance that thought out with the weaknesses in the squad available too for a proper balanced view.

 

[Marvanelli]

Yep. You're only as good as your weakest link.

 

[B_G]

I'm not sure it's really his role CDM, he can do it at club level in a dominant team, can he do it against France or Germany or Spain? It's a huge gap in our squad, along with a fit and capable LB

Maybe it's one system for the group stage and weaker teams and another system for the tougher matches..?
There'll be plenty of teams who sit in against England and are going to make us break them down. There's probably 2 or 3 teams who will actually come out and have a go back at us.

 

[SilentProf]

I think you lose less by dropping Bellingham back than you do by moving Foden out wide. Bellingham can play anywhere and is a great athlete. Having said that, I think Mainoo has played his way into Southgate’s team over the last couple of games so Foden will more than likely be played out wide. I would hope there’s a lot of freedom for the front four to switch places though as they’re all intelligent enough to do it. One thing is for sure, there are goals and assists in every one of our midfield and striking options which makes it difficult for defenders to commit. If you hesitate and allow half a yard, they will make something happen.

 

[BoroMart]

Maybe it's one system for the group stage and weaker teams and another system for the tougher matches..?
There'll be plenty of teams who sit in against England and are going to make us break them down. There's probably 2 or 3 teams who will actually come out and have a go back at us.

maybe, but I doubt it. England under Southgate have not had any problems in breaking down teams that sit in, in fact we've largely demolished them. What we need is better work out of possession against the top sides. despite how good our players are can Foden, Bellingham, Kane, Grealish instigate a press properly, cut the passing lines, create pressure and allow the opportunity for Rice, Maguire and Chilwell to steal the ball back when played forward under pressure?! I'd say they're not that good at it. Can Rice slow down a counter attack on his own, until Bellingham and the wingers retreat to get back in shape? I'd say no.

Those are the problems we need to resolve, to win.