New International Football thread

[Durhamfootman]

In fairness to Ben, if I were a model professional playing CL football and competing for titles in the best league in the world, and some guy who couldn't literally get a game in a pub team at his peak decided to give me a lecture about my attitude, I think I would have chinned him

at the same time, if I were a model professional playing CL football and competing for titles in the best league in the world, I think I'd be desperate to showcase my talent internationally, regardless of whether or not I thought the manager was a jerk. Maybe White plans to make himself available again once Sir G has been shown the door?

It can't possibly be the first time that an England manager has really ssiped off a player, indeed I reckon it happens all of the time, but most players, most of the time, suck it up and get on with it, because playing on the greatest footballing stages of all is their biggest dream and their best hope of football immortality

[Durhamfootman]

Its why I despair about Southgate and the current England setup. The rest of the world look at our side and sh*t their pants, and we go into the tournament as favourites, even French tv is quaking in their boots at our side recently, and had England favourites in the last WC game to beat them. And while the world scratch their heads and cant understand how we lost to one of Italy's worst teams ever, or a Croatia side with one world class player and 10 rather average ones, we give Southgate praise and thank him for failing.

he is tactically inept and we'll see it again this summer

[sussexpob]

at the same time, if I were a model professional playing CL football and competing for titles in the best league in the world, I think I'd be desperate to showcase my talent internationally, regardless of whether or not I thought the manager was a jerk. Maybe White plans to make himself available again once Sir G has been shown the door?

Imagine sacrificing your 5 week holiday to go abroad on a business trip with a group of colleagues, and during that trip you work your socks of and produce loads of great results. On the 20th night of the trip you are sat having dinner with colleagues who are once again chatting about work, work, work, and you ask politely that you would like to change the topic because you were all a bit sick of constantly talking about work. Your manager then responds by questioning your professionalism and ability to do your job, because not wanting to talk about work in your free time is evidence that you do not care, and are therefore not capable of your job.

How would you react to that? Because I think I would punch my bosses teeth back into his throat.

Ben White is vocal about his upbringing form his parents being anti-football, and didn't grow up like other professionals being fanatical about it. To have someone question that upbringing as being problematic, and insulting him that he doesnt love the game enough.... listen to all the top elite players at Arsenal, they tell you he is the model professional. To have some jumped up nobody question his attitude is an insult, and I can understand why he reacted badly.

Imagine growing up in a family that don't let you watch football, dont come to your games, dont discuss your career achievements of celebrate them, and didn't help him in his career (he said on the Arsenal documentary it was his mums hairdresser who would stay after cutting hair to stand in goal and have him blast balls at her in the garden, was the only way he got to play as a kid)..... despite all that, he made it the top level.

Imagine being so stupid to hold that against him and use it as a mark of his lack of desire. Anyone with half a brain (which Holland and Southgate cant muster between them) would see it for the opposite.

[Durhamfootman]

perhaps that's why Man Utd might be attracted to replacing ten Hag with Southgate

both seem to be able to get the worst out of the talent at their disposal

[Durhamfootman]

it does sound as though a GS resignation at the end of the summer, might see White suddenly make himself available again, but the FA love him, so they might want to try and keep him and that's a big risk for White

[Gingerfinch]

I personally think White is a bit of a d.ck for not wanting to go but he has his reasons.

[sussexpob]

Leaving White aside, I don't seem much else controversial about the squad.

Rashford has been pretty pants recently, and its clear that he seems to have problems with Ten Hag, as his attitude has waned recently, whereas he always came across as a great guy/professional under other managers. He cannot complain about not going.

Luke Shaw has done well for England in the past, and with Chilwell equally injury prone and out of form, and no other options, it made sense to stick to players who have done it in the past.

I think criticism of Grealish is harsh. Man City have the best squad ever in English football history, and rotate the options all the time. You see the importance that Pep puts on players like Grealish when he picks him for both Real Madrid games (where he was excellent in both). Grealish is hands down the best player off the ball England have in that position, in tight, tough games he excels in stopping the other team playing. And in fairness to how City played this year, their wingers have been deep and very wide to the touchline, with the goals all comiing from balls wide to centre, so its not a team where any of the wide options have wracked up huge numbers this year (and Foden moving to the AMC role had his best year banging goals for fun).

Henderson pays the price for going to play in two s*** leagues.

Solanke maybe deserved to go, but England have bags of option there, and Bowen deserved to go more.

Quansah is the only pick I really disagree with, but he isnt going to make the cut.

[Durhamfootman]

I think they're allowed a bigger squad this year. 26 instead of 23, so there are 7 names to be cut

[Durhamfootman]

friendly being played tonight... who knew?

England versus the mighty Bosnia-Herzegovina.... Not surprising that Sir G felt we needed 2 defensive mids sitting in front of the back 4..... *modded* lethal are Bosnia-Herzegovina

[Durhamfootman]

80 mins in, 19 shots from England score is 1-0 from a penalty


oops.... 2-0 now

[Durhamfootman]

goals like buses. Coming thick and fast now. Kane makes it 3

[Durhamfootman]

Grealish and Maguire expected to join Maddison for an extended summer holiday nowhere near a footy field

that would be a turn up for the books

[Durhamfootman]

it won't be finalised until tomorrow, but this 26 man squad is being reported

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale.

Defenders: Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Adam Wharton.

Forwards: Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins.

[Durhamfootman]

calf injury for Maguire, seemingly

[Durhamfootman]

Sir G has announced the squad. It is as above