Official 20/21 Various National Soccer Team News Thread

[Senator Clay Davis]

He was allegedly involved in a blackmail plot against another France national team player, involving a sex tape. I think he's supposed to go on trial soon too.

[Slava]

Haha, I can't believe that France is taking Moussa Sissoko. There has to be a better option?

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Slava

Haha, I can't believe that France is taking Moussa Sissoko. There has to be a better option?

Hes the type of player that always does well for them and hes a big leader in the room who doesnt bring any drama, in a room full of it

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Bagor

https://twitter.com/user/status/1394605087268483074

Surprised but at the same time how much longer could they ignore him? No doubt this story still has a lot to play out.

Ya I think when the tournament starts is when they couldn't

Hes the perfect striker for all the attacking players they are gonna put around him

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Bagor

https://twitter.com/user/status/1394605087268483074

Surprised but at the same time how much longer could they ignore him? No doubt this story still has a lot to play out.

Based on recent form, I imagine Deschamps flipped a coin, and sadly Martial lost.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Flick confirms the worst kept secret in the sport

https://twitter.com/user/status/1395726958525288450

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Flick confirms the worst kept secret in the sport

https://twitter.com/user/status/1395726958525288450

[d_phaneuf]

Interesting German squad, low bringing back a few who haven't been picked in the squad in years like volland, and also bringing back Muller who most people thought was done, while leaving out Brandt and a few other young players

Guess when it's your last tournament, all that matters is win now, he doesnt have to build for the future anymore

[devo22]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1396469155017146372

FFS now we'll really have to deal with Pickford again. Sigh

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

https://twitter.com/user/status/1396469155017146372

FFS now we'll really have to deal with Pickford again. Sigh

Maybe he can injure his opponents and give England the advantage.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by devo22

https://twitter.com/user/status/1396469155017146372

FFS now we'll really have to deal with Pickford again. Sigh

Was just gonna post this.

I’d prefer Pickford over Henderson.

[GirlySports]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1396818530855702528

[d_phaneuf]

Surprised Bamford didn't even make the provisional squad.

Don't think he'd get a ton of time but if we're down 1 and throwing an extra striker on I'd rather it be him than Watkins.

The only thing up in the air on the final squad seems to be if Trent makes it,

I saw a few journos saying we need 3 right backs since walker is also necessary at CB in a back 3, but I think Saka would just play rwb in that situation if say trippier got injured. It's not ideal but can't lose a spot anywhere else and Southgate has said he likely won't use the extra spots UEFA are giving teams

[devo22]

there's simply no space for Bamford. Heck, I don't think Watkins will make it.

Final cuts will be interesting, not sure which RB will be cut. I think it's down to preference really, lots of good options there.

I'd probably cut Ramsdale, Godfrey, White, Trippier, Lingard, Greenwood and Watkins.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I’d prefer Pickford over Henderson.

Really? Not saying Henderson is anything special but Pickford?

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by devo22

there's simply no space for Bamford. Heck, I don't think Watkins will make it.

Final cuts will be interesting, not sure which RB will be cut. I think it's down to preference really, lots of good options there.

I'd probably cut Ramsdale, Godfrey, White, Trippier, Lingard, Greenwood and Watkins.

Oh I dont think watkins will either, just surprised bamford didnt even make provisional

I'd rather bamford over dcl to be honest

2nd striker is gonna be rashford i would hope anyway

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by d_phaneuf

I saw a few journos saying we need 3 right backs since walker is also necessary at CB in a back 3, but I think Saka would just play rwb in that situation if say trippier got injured. It's not ideal but can't lose a spot anywhere else and Southgate has said he likely won't use the extra spots UEFA are giving teams

Aren't there four already or am I missing your point?
Walker. TAA. Trippier and James?

[devo22]

Originally Posted by d_phaneuf

Oh I dont think watkins will either, just surprised bamford didnt even make provisional

I'd rather bamford over dcl to be honest

2nd striker is gonna be rashford i would hope anyway

I like Bamford (and Watkins) too, but I do think Calvert-Lewin is fine as a backup striker. He's scored quite a few headers this season, which doesn't hurt when you need a goal and throw on an extra attacker. And let's face it, that's all they need him for if Kane is healthy.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Aren't there four already or am I missing your point?
Walker. TAA. Trippier and James?

Meant on the final squad, but after looking at it more I do think a 3rd rb is kept in the 26, assuming southgate keeps 26, I remember he said he wasnt sure about the extra spots when UEFA announced them

So based off my best guess on what he will do

Gk
Pickford
Henderson
John stone

Rb
Walker
Tripper

Lb
Shaw
Chilwell

Cb
Maguire
Stones
Coady
Mings

Midfield
Rice
Mount
Henderson
Grealish
Bellingham
Phillips

Forward
Kane
Foden
Sancho
Rashford
Sterling
DCL


So for 3 spots left you have a choice from these
Ramsdale
TAA
Godfrey
James
White
JWP
Lingard
Watkins
Greenwood
Saka

Assuming everyone's fit after this weeks games, and maguire in general

These are the quickest cuts
Ramsdale
Godfrey
White
Lingard
Watkins

Dont need a 4th goalie or a 3rd striker, godfrey and white are the two players with no experience, and lingard has too many ahead of him

Ward-Prowse has to make the team imo, with Hendersons injury history and recent return, and Phillips has been dealing with nagging injuries too, need another cm who can play in a deeper 2, plus his set pieces ability late in a game is a weapon.

So then it's down to two spots

Trent has to go over James, and I changed my mind writing this but I think you have to go with Greenwood, Saka's only real argument over Greenwood on current form is he is versatile, which is great, but hes versatile at our strongest positions.

Greenwood has been awesome for the past 2 months, and hes a real threat to score goals from a wide position, probably the most inform wide player we have right now as a goalscorer. Sterling hasn't been good at city basically all season, sancho and foden are moreso creators than scorers.

I'm expecting him to start

Sterling kane foden
Mount
Henderson rice
Shaw Maguire stones trippier
Pickford

Sterling gets a start because of his chemistry with kane, but he needs to have a short leash with Graelish, Sancho, or Rashford quick to come on.

[GirlySports]

World Cup qualifying is up and running again with a Japan 10-0 drubbing of Myanmar. That group it just way to easy for Japan with Tajikistan, Kyrgystan, Myanmar and Mongolia.

North Korea were supposed to play South Korea on June 7th but they got scared and withdrew from the tournament.

Canada's got games on June 5, 8 and then onto probably Haiti on June 12 and 15 to get into the OCHO!