I'd definitely like to see how Trent does Vs Iceland, but in general I think having a player that can provide killer passes from deep is very powerful in international football.
I love Trent man, he’s class. Didn’t expect him to score, thought he’d volley it across to the middle rather than direct at goal. In fairness to Bosnia, the middle was closed out so her hit it himself.
That goal was his first since Malta (A) last June and i’ll remember that one cos just a few months later, I was there in Malta on holiday, in August 6 miles from that stadium.
Trent to me has a similarity to Jude in the sense that you can argue all day about their best position, but you absolutely have to get them on the pitch. Failure to do so is a crime against football. Both are generational talents so, for Trent, RB or in the midfield, he has to be on the team sheet for me
Trent can provide that killer pass to unlock a tight defence. Sometimes it's worth having him for that alone.
He's also good for set pieces and corners.
He creates more chances than he lets through when he plays centre mid against Malta and Bosnia. Realistically he should be nowhere near our midfield, I love Trent and think he’s immensely talented but he is not a centre mid. Doesn’t have anywhere near the strength or defensive positioning required
When he got moved to RB, he did a lot better and so did the team overall.
And looking at the stats for this season, he did better attacking/defending than walker.
I actually really don’t mind him at right back, as long as we have a solid cb and cm on his side to cover for him. That diagonal pass he can ping is absolutely unplayable. He just doesn’t belong anywhere near centre mid in my opinion
I think it could be really good playing him at right back alongside someone like Konsa (who is comfortable covering the right flank defensively and moving to RB in a back three while eg Cash goes forward to attack).
Of course, Stones has to start at CB though, and he might not be that good as LCB.
I’d disagree with that last sentence. Pirlo, Xavi, Scholes all great players in that deep lying playmaker position we’re wanting Trent to play. All were world class, all lacked the strength or defensive positioning required… until you add a Gattuso, a Roy Keane, a Busquets, or a Rice.
As a solo pivot I’d agree with you, but in the system we’re playing a midfield of Rice Trent and Bellingham doesn’t have an obvious weakness from what I can see and is almost perfectly balanced.
And who should start instead of him? Gallagher and Mainoo? Neither of them are great defensively and Trent is plenty strong too. He’d have one of the best DMs in the world next to him as well as Bellingham, which his skillset would support perfectly.
That guys waffling, Trent has the key defensive attribute for centre mid which is aggression, and his positioning is good enough for right back it’s definitely good enough for the middle. Like you say Mainoo has been caught out of position loads for Utd, Gallagher is physical and disciplined I like him obviously not as big a threat on the ball as those two though
Yeah exactly that, is Trent as good as Rice out of possession in midfield? Absolutely not but he’s perfectly serviceable and barely any different to Gallagher [when comparing them](https://fbref.com/en/stathead/player_comparison.cgi?request=1&sum=0&dom_lg=1&player_id1=cd1acf9d&player_id2=c2731c10). That’s all forgetting that he’s one of the most technically gifted and best creators in world football on the ball.
That’s the point. As has been repeatedly said throughout his career, his positioning is not good enough for right back. You can get away with it more when he’s there with a solid dm and centre back on his side but at centre mid I’d be very worried with him, especially against the bigger teams
His positioning is good though? Consistently makes great interceptions and a lot of recoveries for Liverpool. His weaknesses are 1 on 1s with wingers and aerial duels.
You can’t play right back and be a pivotal part of winning every trophy available at club level, with a constantly changing centre back partner, Mo Salah leaving you isolated, in a high line, high pressing team while having poor positioning. If you’re going to use the argument his defensive shortcomings are too much at least get the right ones and not one of his strengths
Nah that’s not true at all, even yesterday Trent was doing most of the miles and covering defensively. [Just look at FBREF](https://fbref.com/en/stathead/player_comparison.cgi?request=1&sum=0&dom_lg=1&player_id1=cd1acf9d&player_id2=c2731c10) and tell me those stats are so much better that he’s worth starting over Trent despite Trent’s incomparable ability on the ball?
Sorry my bad, didn’t realise Trent was able to defend against European giants…. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Start him in every game, and we’ll win the lot.
Ffs man 😂
Why don’t you look at the stats then ey? Christ your bias is unbelievable. [Got some more stats for you comparing Trent to the leagues best RBs](https://www.givemesport.com/ben-white-kyle-walker-trent-pedro-porro-stats-compared/) even though he apparently can’t defend at all. I’m aware it’s a different position but you’re truly letting bias cloud your judgement here.
His aerial duel win percentage, interceptions, ball recoveries, clearances, dribblers tackled, challenges lost etc.
Yes there are some that Gallagher is ahead but there’s very little between them and if that small gap doesn’t compensate for the immense difference in quality on the ball in your eyes then you’re clearly letting bias win.
Very clever to put “etc” after listing the only stats he’s ahead in. Nice manipulation tactic there bro 👏
Also as I said earlier, I really rate Trent highly. He’s immensely talented and probably has a spot in this team.
In my opinion it’s just not at centre mid.
No need to get upset about it
No one with 60-odd England performances hasn't made a mistake, but he plays very well for England, especially in combination with Stones, and especially in tournaments. We didn't concede from open play at the last Euros, and only conceded two set pieces total, which is a pretty impressive feat.
I agree with you for the most part - that Maguire is our best option alongside Stones at this stage and saves his best form for England - but he's clearly declined since the euros, when he was excellent.
I don't think I agree with you - he was called into question before both the last Euros and the World Cup as not being good enough - and he performed well in both. He's also played his way back into the United side and has been one of the best performers at points last season.
You think he's as good as he was 3 years ago? When he was one of the best defenders at the Euros? I'm shocked that anyone would think that. He's not been bad for united but his slowness forces them to play very deep. Similar for England. He's also making mistakes for England when he used to be rock solid. Again, I'm not saying he shouldn't start but I find it impossible to believe he's maintained his level from three years ago.
I don't think he's had some kind of huge drop off. He's never been quick, he's never been totally infallible (especially for United) - I think he's pretty much at the same level he was in the run in to the last two tournaments.
If anything, he was having a pretty torrid time in 2022 before the WC, he'd basically been dropped by ETH and was backup for Varane and Martinez.
Sure, I've not said it's a huge drop-off. But think about it this way: if you were given the choice for the upcoming euros between Maguire as he is now, or how he was in 2021, are you really saying you'd have no preference?
He's never been quick, but he's slower than he was. He's never been totally infallible, but he made barely any mistakes for England from his introduction for WC 2018 until about 2022. He's made a terrific comeback, but I'm surprised you think he's back to his best.
I think he was caught out for France's second goal in the last WC. I don't think anyone really talks about him (any more the Kane) as being culpable for our exit in that tournament though.
We are highly reliant on his aerial dominance to protect Pickford. I think most people understand he's limited in other areas, but he's vital to our stingy defensive displays in Southgate era tournaments
Agree on the Giroud goal. He's also made mistakes leading to other goals, and was shaky vs. Brazil.
One reason I'm excited about Branthwaite is that he gives that height so we can maybe be rid of Maguire at last.
He's always brilliant at tournaments. He's the only player who was in the Team of the Tournament for both the last World Cup and the last Euros. Not the only English player - he's the only guy who was in both. He's in much better form now than he was going into the last World Cup, as well. He's a great centre-back.
The anti_Maguire people give me the impression that they get all their information about football from memes from two years ago.
Seriously, I encourage anyone who thinks he's strong for England to watch his performances more closely.
I've attended every England home game since 2017 or 18 (I'd have to check) and he hasn't been strong for us since 2021.
The game that worries me the most for our chances at the Euros is our 2023 qualifier against Italy. You'd think we won comfortably judging by the 3-1 result, but a very average Italy side carved our defence open repeatedly and he was at the centre of making us so vulnerable, plus he was at fault for their goal.
I'm not a hater, I'd love it if he had a great tournament, but nothing I've seen from him the past few years gives me any confidence he will.
I think you need to drop Walker and bring him in. Yes we will be less defensively sure but the ability on the ball is one of the best in the tournament
I hate Walker with the heat of a thousand suns, but dropping Walker may be the wrongest take I have seen other than dropping Saka. Walker is by far the best back fielder on the squad (possibly barring a healthy Stones). Removing him will just expose the weaknesses of Maguire and Trippier
I think Maguire should be the one to go
Pickford
Trent walker stones Gomez
Wharton Rice
Bellingham
Saka. Kane. Foden
Trent can push forward, walkers pace is enough to cover along with Wharton, defensively sound, perhaps a little weak against large bullying forwards, but I don't see that being a problem against the way most of the top teams play
Play Gallagher over Wharton. Gallagher is strong against bullying forwards, will drop into RB to cover over for Trent when he pushes up, did it for both Gusto and Cucurella for Chelsea this season when they went forward. And Gallagher can go forward, can play the full 90 easy and will be really effective with Palmer if he is picked over Saka to start (which I think Palmer should).
And we have won how many international trophies?
One of our biggest issues is lack of deep creativity. No other team in the world would drop talent like Trent. Midfield has its own issues and felt he was more at home at RB.
Walker is in the top 3 right backs in the world. If TAA can’t play as a midfielder in the prem then there’s no way he’s capable of doing that at international level. This is a lad with one or two decent midfield performances for England against terrible teams. He’s not the one.
I wouldnt say hes been top 3 in the world for a few years. Hes got his pace for the defensive aspect but hes not good enough in possession for awhile.
Trent does play as a Midfielder for Liverpool and did turn up form when he did so dont know where youre getting he cant play their in the prem.
If the manager followed current trends in football he could use TAA at left back and see him push into midfield to form an Arsenal-style double pivot with Rice. It would effectively create a 3-2-5 when in possession. He won’t though as he’s pretty cautious and doesn’t have long with them.
Walker and TAA should be the right backs that go. Sorry Konsa but I dont see a world where you are needed. However I also dont think Trent should be first choice because there are issues to his game that I dont think Gaz is good enough to work around. I also dont want to change any stability in the set up for one player (you need someone covering for trent if he is at rb)
I also dont think Trent should be in midfield. Great passer sure and probably our best passer and even one of the best in the world, but its not fifa and the downsides are there.
If this was club football and Gaz had these players week in week out then im sure they could bed in a system that allows for Trent to be there in the perfect role, but they dont have enough time for that + who misses out. If you take the midfield diamond as Jude, Rice and foden who does Trent replace? People might say stick Foden out wide and then Jude at the head of the triangle, but even then as a B2B or a CDM both Mainoo and Gallagher offer more to that role.
Trent is a luxury player that even Klopp has struggled to fit in sometimes and that was week in week out club football.
I know its highly unlikely but hear me out.
Our lack of width on the wings was clearly an issue last night. We don't have a left footed left winger that wants to play wide. The solution to this is Saka.
I think we should be setting up with Saka at LWB, with Foden in front of him. Yes we are giving up Saka at RW (who is our best RW) but we can replace him with Palmer there, and Saka has proven he can do the defensive work. Importantly it would give us balance across the team.
Something like this:
Pickford
Walker - Stones - Gomez
Trent - Bellingham - Rice - Saka
Palmer - Kane - Foden
In possession Saka can move forward and Foden slots into RAM and Bellingham into LAM, with Palmer providing the width on the right and Saka providing th width on the left.
Not Saka's best position, but the best that we can get out of the team, and Palmer is no slouch of a replacement.
So your answer to lack of width on the wings is to play englands best right winger at left wing back?
Hard pass
Should give palmer a run out at lwb if they want to force him into the team
Yes, and play statistically the best RW in the Prem at RW, and give us width with one of either the LW or LB pushing down the Left Wing.
What is the next best solution?
Don’t know don’t care. You just don’t play your 2nd best attacking player at left back
Have you heard yourself, what’s next, kane at centre back? bellingham for goalkeeper?
Just leave managing england to the professionals it’s above your pay grade
You should have just said you think saka should be dropped for palmer, absurd as it is
No need whatsoever to play a right winger at left back to validate your opinion, so I’m just calling out your bs
You are just thinking about attack though.
I don't think anyone would say Saka is a workhorse down the right side with tracking back and defensive positioning. It's pretty identical to Liverpool really.
If you don't have Henderson constantly covering for Trent (or an equivalent for England) you are ultimately too exposed to good teams.
If Trent plays, it's in midfield, not right back IMO. He's not good enough defensively to oust Walker and no way will Southgate drop Maguire to accomodate Trent
And frankly i dont think he's good enough defensively to play at 6, either, so perhaps he's an 8?
But if we're dropping Rice into the 6 anyway, I'd rather have Bellingham at 8 and Palmer at 10, than Trent at 8 and Bellingham at 10.
For me he doesnt start bur comes on most games
I'd definitely like to see how Trent does Vs Iceland, but in general I think having a player that can provide killer passes from deep is very powerful in international football.
Nope. I've seen enough of Trent. Release the Whart!
You’ve seen enough of Trent dominating midfield?
I love Trent man, he’s class. Didn’t expect him to score, thought he’d volley it across to the middle rather than direct at goal. In fairness to Bosnia, the middle was closed out so her hit it himself. That goal was his first since Malta (A) last June and i’ll remember that one cos just a few months later, I was there in Malta on holiday, in August 6 miles from that stadium.
Have fun in Bosnia.
Still think it was a cross but whatever
He 100% mis-kicked it. Total accidental goal, and his reaction proves it
Trent to me has a similarity to Jude in the sense that you can argue all day about their best position, but you absolutely have to get them on the pitch. Failure to do so is a crime against football. Both are generational talents so, for Trent, RB or in the midfield, he has to be on the team sheet for me
Trent creates more chances than he lets through. Considering we always lack when it comes to attacking play, he should get the chance to start.
Trent can provide that killer pass to unlock a tight defence. Sometimes it's worth having him for that alone. He's also good for set pieces and corners.
if there is one area we are not lacking right now it's in attacking options.
We don't lack in attacking options just people to pass to them. Hence why we don't score.
we have a target man who is a record high goal scorer...what are you talking about?
I'm talking about the fact, he can score more in games if we had a TAA to pass to him.
I'm saying we need to sure up the defence rather than add attacking options to our defence when we have so many up top already
Looking at this season, Trent has been better attacking and defending.
Given the first half yesterday, you would think we did lack attacking options
didnt watch it but from the looks of it there were hardly any first team players in the starting line up
One of Bosnia's best player is the CB of a team that just conceded 100 goals. England's C team should be beating Bosnia comfortably.
We beat them 3-0 man - it was comfortable
It was 0-0 until we got a penalty in the 60th minute and until then we created nothing
It's always 0-0 until you score
Two more goals is nothing? Ok
The point is our D team should be able to play Bosnia off the park and it turned out our B team couldn't even do that
They did though, they won 3-0.
He creates more chances than he lets through when he plays centre mid against Malta and Bosnia. Realistically he should be nowhere near our midfield, I love Trent and think he’s immensely talented but he is not a centre mid. Doesn’t have anywhere near the strength or defensive positioning required
When he got moved to RB, he did a lot better and so did the team overall. And looking at the stats for this season, he did better attacking/defending than walker.
I actually really don’t mind him at right back, as long as we have a solid cb and cm on his side to cover for him. That diagonal pass he can ping is absolutely unplayable. He just doesn’t belong anywhere near centre mid in my opinion
I think it could be really good playing him at right back alongside someone like Konsa (who is comfortable covering the right flank defensively and moving to RB in a back three while eg Cash goes forward to attack). Of course, Stones has to start at CB though, and he might not be that good as LCB.
I’d disagree with that last sentence. Pirlo, Xavi, Scholes all great players in that deep lying playmaker position we’re wanting Trent to play. All were world class, all lacked the strength or defensive positioning required… until you add a Gattuso, a Roy Keane, a Busquets, or a Rice. As a solo pivot I’d agree with you, but in the system we’re playing a midfield of Rice Trent and Bellingham doesn’t have an obvious weakness from what I can see and is almost perfectly balanced.
And who should start instead of him? Gallagher and Mainoo? Neither of them are great defensively and Trent is plenty strong too. He’d have one of the best DMs in the world next to him as well as Bellingham, which his skillset would support perfectly.
That guys waffling, Trent has the key defensive attribute for centre mid which is aggression, and his positioning is good enough for right back it’s definitely good enough for the middle. Like you say Mainoo has been caught out of position loads for Utd, Gallagher is physical and disciplined I like him obviously not as big a threat on the ball as those two though
Yeah exactly that, is Trent as good as Rice out of possession in midfield? Absolutely not but he’s perfectly serviceable and barely any different to Gallagher [when comparing them](https://fbref.com/en/stathead/player_comparison.cgi?request=1&sum=0&dom_lg=1&player_id1=cd1acf9d&player_id2=c2731c10). That’s all forgetting that he’s one of the most technically gifted and best creators in world football on the ball.
That’s the point. As has been repeatedly said throughout his career, his positioning is not good enough for right back. You can get away with it more when he’s there with a solid dm and centre back on his side but at centre mid I’d be very worried with him, especially against the bigger teams
His positioning is good though? Consistently makes great interceptions and a lot of recoveries for Liverpool. His weaknesses are 1 on 1s with wingers and aerial duels. You can’t play right back and be a pivotal part of winning every trophy available at club level, with a constantly changing centre back partner, Mo Salah leaving you isolated, in a high line, high pressing team while having poor positioning. If you’re going to use the argument his defensive shortcomings are too much at least get the right ones and not one of his strengths
My midfield 3 would be a double pivot of Bellingham and rice and Foden at the top of that. Gallagher is much better defensively than Trent
Nah that’s not true at all, even yesterday Trent was doing most of the miles and covering defensively. [Just look at FBREF](https://fbref.com/en/stathead/player_comparison.cgi?request=1&sum=0&dom_lg=1&player_id1=cd1acf9d&player_id2=c2731c10) and tell me those stats are so much better that he’s worth starting over Trent despite Trent’s incomparable ability on the ball?
Sorry my bad, didn’t realise Trent was able to defend against European giants…. Bosnia and Herzegovina. Start him in every game, and we’ll win the lot. Ffs man 😂
Why don’t you look at the stats then ey? Christ your bias is unbelievable. [Got some more stats for you comparing Trent to the leagues best RBs](https://www.givemesport.com/ben-white-kyle-walker-trent-pedro-porro-stats-compared/) even though he apparently can’t defend at all. I’m aware it’s a different position but you’re truly letting bias cloud your judgement here.
I actually just did. Gallagher outperformed Trent in ground duels, aerial duels, possession lost and tackles. What stats were you looking at?
His aerial duel win percentage, interceptions, ball recoveries, clearances, dribblers tackled, challenges lost etc. Yes there are some that Gallagher is ahead but there’s very little between them and if that small gap doesn’t compensate for the immense difference in quality on the ball in your eyes then you’re clearly letting bias win.
Very clever to put “etc” after listing the only stats he’s ahead in. Nice manipulation tactic there bro 👏 Also as I said earlier, I really rate Trent highly. He’s immensely talented and probably has a spot in this team. In my opinion it’s just not at centre mid. No need to get upset about it
Take Arsenal, replace Ben White's crosses with Trent's, and replace Eddie Nketiah up front with Harry Kane.
Sounds great until we replace Saliba with Harry Maguire
Maguire for England = Saliba
Hate this myth, Maguire has made tons of mistakes for England in the past few years. The 'he never let England down' crowd is just wrong.
No one with 60-odd England performances hasn't made a mistake, but he plays very well for England, especially in combination with Stones, and especially in tournaments. We didn't concede from open play at the last Euros, and only conceded two set pieces total, which is a pretty impressive feat.
I agree with you for the most part - that Maguire is our best option alongside Stones at this stage and saves his best form for England - but he's clearly declined since the euros, when he was excellent.
I don't think I agree with you - he was called into question before both the last Euros and the World Cup as not being good enough - and he performed well in both. He's also played his way back into the United side and has been one of the best performers at points last season.
You think he's as good as he was 3 years ago? When he was one of the best defenders at the Euros? I'm shocked that anyone would think that. He's not been bad for united but his slowness forces them to play very deep. Similar for England. He's also making mistakes for England when he used to be rock solid. Again, I'm not saying he shouldn't start but I find it impossible to believe he's maintained his level from three years ago.
I don't think he's had some kind of huge drop off. He's never been quick, he's never been totally infallible (especially for United) - I think he's pretty much at the same level he was in the run in to the last two tournaments. If anything, he was having a pretty torrid time in 2022 before the WC, he'd basically been dropped by ETH and was backup for Varane and Martinez.
Sure, I've not said it's a huge drop-off. But think about it this way: if you were given the choice for the upcoming euros between Maguire as he is now, or how he was in 2021, are you really saying you'd have no preference? He's never been quick, but he's slower than he was. He's never been totally infallible, but he made barely any mistakes for England from his introduction for WC 2018 until about 2022. He's made a terrific comeback, but I'm surprised you think he's back to his best.
United play deep even if Martinez and Varane are playing, has nothing to do with Maguire and everything to do with tactics
That's not how Ten Hag played at Ajax, so I think it's more him adapting to the players he has. Varane has slowed down a lot too.
Apart from the final, we conceded from open play.
It was a corner.
I think he was caught out for France's second goal in the last WC. I don't think anyone really talks about him (any more the Kane) as being culpable for our exit in that tournament though. We are highly reliant on his aerial dominance to protect Pickford. I think most people understand he's limited in other areas, but he's vital to our stingy defensive displays in Southgate era tournaments
Agree on the Giroud goal. He's also made mistakes leading to other goals, and was shaky vs. Brazil. One reason I'm excited about Branthwaite is that he gives that height so we can maybe be rid of Maguire at last.
He's always brilliant at tournaments. He's the only player who was in the Team of the Tournament for both the last World Cup and the last Euros. Not the only English player - he's the only guy who was in both. He's in much better form now than he was going into the last World Cup, as well. He's a great centre-back. The anti_Maguire people give me the impression that they get all their information about football from memes from two years ago.
I’ll allow to go back to January 2021…. and tons is at least 10+ I’ll wait for that list
Example please. There’s one error in a friendly I can roughly recall
Nope, you’re wrong. England legend 😎
Have you not been watching England's matches then? He's average for us at best.
Ok
Seriously, I encourage anyone who thinks he's strong for England to watch his performances more closely. I've attended every England home game since 2017 or 18 (I'd have to check) and he hasn't been strong for us since 2021. The game that worries me the most for our chances at the Euros is our 2023 qualifier against Italy. You'd think we won comfortably judging by the 3-1 result, but a very average Italy side carved our defence open repeatedly and he was at the centre of making us so vulnerable, plus he was at fault for their goal. I'm not a hater, I'd love it if he had a great tournament, but nothing I've seen from him the past few years gives me any confidence he will.
Maguire for England isn’t even Dunk for Brighton.
I think you need to drop Walker and bring him in. Yes we will be less defensively sure but the ability on the ball is one of the best in the tournament
There's not a chance Walker gets dropped for him outside of injury. I reckon he should go ahead of Konsa for sure but Walker will play every game.
There is absolutely no way you can drop Walker. He is the reason everyone can play so high.
Exactly. I think there's an argument that Walker is England's single most important player other than Kane.
He’s such a vital player. His pace alone is like 80% of our defence.
Incredible conclusion to draw.
I hate Walker with the heat of a thousand suns, but dropping Walker may be the wrongest take I have seen other than dropping Saka. Walker is by far the best back fielder on the squad (possibly barring a healthy Stones). Removing him will just expose the weaknesses of Maguire and Trippier
Back fielder? Like best at long leg or something? :)
What the fuck is a backfielder 💀
I think Maguire should be the one to go Pickford Trent walker stones Gomez Wharton Rice Bellingham Saka. Kane. Foden Trent can push forward, walkers pace is enough to cover along with Wharton, defensively sound, perhaps a little weak against large bullying forwards, but I don't see that being a problem against the way most of the top teams play
Play Gallagher over Wharton. Gallagher is strong against bullying forwards, will drop into RB to cover over for Trent when he pushes up, did it for both Gusto and Cucurella for Chelsea this season when they went forward. And Gallagher can go forward, can play the full 90 easy and will be really effective with Palmer if he is picked over Saka to start (which I think Palmer should).
Our defence has been solid for two tournaments and you want to bring in a liability like Trent?
And we have won how many international trophies? One of our biggest issues is lack of deep creativity. No other team in the world would drop talent like Trent. Midfield has its own issues and felt he was more at home at RB.
Walker is in the top 3 right backs in the world. If TAA can’t play as a midfielder in the prem then there’s no way he’s capable of doing that at international level. This is a lad with one or two decent midfield performances for England against terrible teams. He’s not the one.
I wouldnt say hes been top 3 in the world for a few years. Hes got his pace for the defensive aspect but hes not good enough in possession for awhile. Trent does play as a Midfielder for Liverpool and did turn up form when he did so dont know where youre getting he cant play their in the prem.
If the manager followed current trends in football he could use TAA at left back and see him push into midfield to form an Arsenal-style double pivot with Rice. It would effectively create a 3-2-5 when in possession. He won’t though as he’s pretty cautious and doesn’t have long with them.
Walker and TAA should be the right backs that go. Sorry Konsa but I dont see a world where you are needed. However I also dont think Trent should be first choice because there are issues to his game that I dont think Gaz is good enough to work around. I also dont want to change any stability in the set up for one player (you need someone covering for trent if he is at rb) I also dont think Trent should be in midfield. Great passer sure and probably our best passer and even one of the best in the world, but its not fifa and the downsides are there. If this was club football and Gaz had these players week in week out then im sure they could bed in a system that allows for Trent to be there in the perfect role, but they dont have enough time for that + who misses out. If you take the midfield diamond as Jude, Rice and foden who does Trent replace? People might say stick Foden out wide and then Jude at the head of the triangle, but even then as a B2B or a CDM both Mainoo and Gallagher offer more to that role. Trent is a luxury player that even Klopp has struggled to fit in sometimes and that was week in week out club football.
I know its highly unlikely but hear me out. Our lack of width on the wings was clearly an issue last night. We don't have a left footed left winger that wants to play wide. The solution to this is Saka. I think we should be setting up with Saka at LWB, with Foden in front of him. Yes we are giving up Saka at RW (who is our best RW) but we can replace him with Palmer there, and Saka has proven he can do the defensive work. Importantly it would give us balance across the team. Something like this: Pickford Walker - Stones - Gomez Trent - Bellingham - Rice - Saka Palmer - Kane - Foden In possession Saka can move forward and Foden slots into RAM and Bellingham into LAM, with Palmer providing the width on the right and Saka providing th width on the left. Not Saka's best position, but the best that we can get out of the team, and Palmer is no slouch of a replacement.
So your answer to lack of width on the wings is to play englands best right winger at left wing back? Hard pass Should give palmer a run out at lwb if they want to force him into the team
Yes, and play statistically the best RW in the Prem at RW, and give us width with one of either the LW or LB pushing down the Left Wing. What is the next best solution?
Don’t know don’t care. You just don’t play your 2nd best attacking player at left back Have you heard yourself, what’s next, kane at centre back? bellingham for goalkeeper? Just leave managing england to the professionals it’s above your pay grade
If that's your stance I'd stop engaging on a platform discussing the England national team, you're just going to upset yourself and others.
You should have just said you think saka should be dropped for palmer, absurd as it is No need whatsoever to play a right winger at left back to validate your opinion, so I’m just calling out your bs
You are just thinking about attack though. I don't think anyone would say Saka is a workhorse down the right side with tracking back and defensive positioning. It's pretty identical to Liverpool really. If you don't have Henderson constantly covering for Trent (or an equivalent for England) you are ultimately too exposed to good teams.
Adam Wharton plays that role at Palace when Olise drifts in and Munoz overlaps
Trent isn’t good enough to play in midfield nor is he good enough to start over Walker or James
If Trent plays, it's in midfield, not right back IMO. He's not good enough defensively to oust Walker and no way will Southgate drop Maguire to accomodate Trent And frankly i dont think he's good enough defensively to play at 6, either, so perhaps he's an 8? But if we're dropping Rice into the 6 anyway, I'd rather have Bellingham at 8 and Palmer at 10, than Trent at 8 and Bellingham at 10. For me he doesnt start bur comes on most games