Men's Soccer (Football) Thread [Archived] Soccer • Page 672

I’ll be rooting for Argentina and England.

 

Anyone but England.

 

Ireland obviously, y'all yanks all want to be Irish after all

 

I'm struggling to think in what world Winks deserves to start for his country.

 

“
Soccer is far more prominent now in America than it ever has been, but it still takes the U.S. competing in big headliner events like the World Cup to capture a large share of the public’s attention. This attention is vital to ensuring the game’s continued growth. An enormous chunk of that invaluable attention evaporated last night, and there’s no way to reclaim it other than to wait five more years until the next edition of the tournament. An entire generation of young kids who might’ve seen a potential Wonderteen hat trick in a group stage match now will never discover a passion for the game. They will never dream of becoming the next Pulisic, obsessively queueing up Youtube compilations of Messi and Neymar and Isco, spending countless hours out in the backyard trying to mimic those moves, honing the skills necessary to maybe make their dream a reality. Iconic moments—think Landon Donovan against Algeria or Tim Howard against Belgium in the most recent cycles—are the critical inflection points that create new fans and new players. The absence of them will certainly set the sport back.”

https://deadspin.com/the-usmnt-got-exactly-what-it-deserved-1819355441

 

peRue peRue peRue

 

If Wilshere makes the England squad then we may as well give up. Johnjo Shelvey is bang average as well.

 

If Chalobah keeps his form up, he should be in with a shout of starting.

 

If Wilshere's fit and playing then there's no reason for him to not make the squad, much better than the sack of shit that currently play in midfield.

 

This is literally insane. Winks has had one season when he was good, but not world beating, and has no international experience. Wilshere was man of the match in 6 of his last 7 international appearances and is by FAR the most technically gifted player this country has.

 

Wilshire over Henderson could fix so many of our issues it's unreal. The talent that lad has if he could just stay fit, his ability to bring the ball forward, play quick passes, a burst when dribbling. All of that will allow whatever front 4 we play to play to their strengths, rather than slow, laboured, side ways passing and little adventure that Henderson currently offers.

The other option is some sort of a 3 in midfield of Lallana and two others, maybe Dier? He offers some similar technicality, which is what we're missing.

 

Have people forgotten how awful Wilshere was at the Euros? I'm not pinning any hopes on him being some sort of saviour.

 

Name me an England player who played well?

We aren't looking for a saviour, we're looking for the right players for the system and the best team we can make.

 

Oh I know everyone was terrible. I might blame Hodgson for the Euros more than anyone to be honest. I'd rather play Wilshere than Henderson I suppose. Outside of Kane I don't really have much faith in any of them stepping up next summer (and he was abysmal at the Euros too actually haha).

 

Rashford?

But I'm biased but not as biased as thinking winks should start

 

Combined with the phantom Blas goal this is honestly equally hilarious and devastating that these are the goals that set up the winners that knocked us out.

 

I mean, Sterling should be starting for England over Rashford imo

 

Why not both? Who plays on the right?

 

On that post Sam made earlier I swore I saw Welbeck not Sterling. Just went back and realized he had Sterling. My bad.

That being said, Welbeck over Rashford has some merit and some drawbacks.

 

I’d assume Rashford and Welbeck are probably pretty close in terms of total career goals already.

 

If Wikipedia is correct, Rashford has 2 in 13 and Welbeck has 15 in 36 for England.

I think both are great options on the left for England. They both play better with dynamic midfielders (look at their United and Arsenal playmakers), which goes back to that conversation they had earlier about Wilshire/Henderson.

 

I just think Welbeck is the known and safe option. Boring and uninspiring. Rashford has this spark and will to drive the ball forward at all times, which England need more of.

 

I know I’m super biased with Winks. But if he continues the form he’s shown with Spurs he should definitely play a role for England at the WC. Even if that means off the bench.

 

Could be bias as well, but I think Rashford already offers so much more than Welbeck. Welbeck is bang average, you know what you're going to get. Rashford has a spark, better dribbling ability, and the willingness to take players on and actually try something. It's because of that last part that he's more open to criticism as his failures (losing the ball) are more likely.

I also think it's probably better blooding Rashford in to being a starter if purely for the future and the potential he offers.

 

I don't think Rashford should be a starter but if you're starting Welbeck you know you're in trouble.