Martinez stays longer in Belgium.

Dave the only Chelsea player to make the Spain squad. No Morata, Alonso, Pedro or Cesc.

Monreal over Alonso seems a bit odd but Morata can have no complaints. Not the guy you want with a one-on-one in a big game at the moment. 

39 minutes ago, Spiller86 said:

Dave the only Chelsea player to make the Spain squad. No Morata, Alonso, Pedro or Cesc.

Monreal over Alonso seems a bit odd but Morata can have no complaints. Not the guy you want with a one-on-one in a big game at the moment. 

Can't complain really, apart from Alonso.

Morata must have forseen this- he's been dog and he knows it. Pedro has barely played this season and Cesc....well. 

So far, the following chels have been selected with their national squads : Courtois, Batman, Hazard with Belgium (3 starters) ; Kanté and Giroud with France (2 starters) ; Moses with Nigeria (starter) ; RLC and Gary with England (2 subs? 1 sub and 1 possible starter?) ; Azpi with Spain (sub); Rudiger with Germany (sub or starter?); Willian with Brazil ( starter ?).

Caballero is in the 35 players' list of Argentina ; Christensen in the 35 players' list of Denmark.

Morata, Alonso, Fabregas and Pedro are all out. David Luiz too. Bakayoko out. Zouma standby with France. Drinkwater Barkley out.

So many well known players not going to the world cup. Morata, Pedro, Fabregas, Alonso (would probably give Spain something different at LB) Martial, Nainggolan, Bellerin, Lacazette, Benzema, Alex Sandro, Icardi and even the guy that scored the goal that won the last world cup, Gotze.

On 16/05/2018 at 19:51, Nibs said:

Think it's a bad call not having Shelvey in the squad. It's not as if we're spoilt for choice with players than can put their foot on the ball and play a pin-point pass. Would have been a brave selection if Southgate had picked him but he's played it safe as England managers always do, Seems Shelvey's face just doesn't fit.

It seems a bit churlish to  point out that your post has the words "foot on" and "Shelvey's face" almost directly over each other.  He does look like someone has put their foot on his face.  Several times.  And not in a Nanny Whip,  @moi dominatrix sort of way,either.    Besides that, it's possible that Southgate couldn't bear another scouse whine on the bus to and from the matches and in the McDonalds each night at the team-bonding McSeminars.

Edited May 22, 20188 yr by yorkleyblue

Mata didn't make it either, hard to perform in the league out of favour and out of position. He must really resent his destiny being entwined with Jose

With so many talents left behind, I can feel this WC will see a big surprise !! Not the winner, but a team reaching the semis for the first time for instance ! Or even the final !

Edited May 23, 20188 yr by Londonisblue

Notice Southgate and Kane recently talking up England's chances, think this is mind games to boost confidence and bring that level of expectation into the squad.

Hope it brings dividends.

6 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

Notice Southgate and Kane recently talking up England's chances, think this is mind games to boost confidence and bring that level of expectation into the squad.

Hope it brings dividends.

Of course it will 

 

 

18 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

Notice Southgate and Kane recently talking up England's chances, think this is mind games to boost confidence and bring that level of expectation into the squad.

Hope it brings dividends.

My confidence in England winning anything is so low now that i don't think i can be disappointed by anything anymore. The best way to approach any tournament as an England fan is to expect them to go out in the group stages, anything beyond will be a bonus.

On ?21?/?05?/?2018 at 12:39, Spiller86 said:

Dave the only Chelsea player to make the Spain squad. No Morata, Alonso, Pedro or Cesc.

Monreal over Alonso seems a bit odd but Morata can have no complaints. Not the guy you want with a one-on-one in a big game at the moment. 

Admit to being surprised Dave made it in the Spanish squad and not Alonso.

I wasn't. Dave can cover three spots and is an excellent defensive option to close out a game. 

Alonso doesn't give Spain much they don't already have. Maybe a bit more height. 

Watched some of the England v Nigeria match yesterday.

Great header by Cahill, could have done with a few of those this season.

RLC looked very composed and comfortable when he came on.

Noticed Nigeria made it difficult in the 2nd half after their German Manger went to three at the back.

Not convinced by Pickford. 

Verdict: Could do better.

Leroy Sane not picked for the 23-man Germany WC squad.

Absolute insanity. Their strength in depth to be able to NOT pick him! 

1 hour ago, Blueblur said:

Leroy Sane not picked for the 23-man Germany WC squad.

Absolute insanity. Their strength in depth to be able to NOT pick him! 

If he were English he’d be one of the first names on the team sheet.

Who have they taken over him?

Apparently he is mostly crap for germany.

5 minutes ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

Who have they taken over him?

In my limited knowledge, Reus and Draxler.

40 minutes ago, Stim said:

Apparently he is mostly crap for germany.

In my limited knowledge, Reus and Draxler.

You do get that, like maybe he doesn’t suit international football or the system they play. Podolski was the reverse, he was average at club level with occasional flashes of brilliance but at international level he looked a different player.

2 minutes ago, Bobbywoodhogan said:

You do get that, like maybe he doesn’t suit international football or the system they play.

Like any English player 

1 hour ago, Stim said:

Like any English player 

My main gripe with Harry Kane is he drops too deep into midfield, he should be up there being our constant target man, abit like what Costa was for us. 

Stay central and be there for every opportunity, rather than let Sterling try to do it all himself. 

Apart from that I am quietly optimistic about the team, I think we are good enough to reach the quarter finals. 

9 minutes ago, dansubrosa said:

My main gripe with Harry Kane is he drops too deep into midfield, he should be up there being our constant target man, abit like what Costa was for us. 

Stay central and be there for every opportunity, rather than let Sterling try to do it all himself. 

Apart from that I am quietly optimistic about the team, I think we are good enough to reach the quarter finals. 

No problem with that if we have another forward player leading the line, players need to be able to use their grey matter!

8 hours ago, Stim said:

Apparently he is mostly crap for germany.

In my limited knowledge, Reus and Draxler.

I find that really surprising. He's only played 12 games for Germany, is only 22 and they pick Reus ahead of him, a player that has only played 15 games all season. 

Saying that, i wouldn't be surprised if they won the thing even without Sane. It's not like Germany haven't done similar things like this in the past, they just seem to know how to approach international tournaments better than any other country.

8 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

I find that really surprising. He's only played 12 games for Germany, is only 22 and they pick Reus ahead of him, a player that has only played 15 games all season. 

Reus is very good and I think there is a sentimental thing because he hasn't been fit  for a major tournament like, ever, so he finally is fit for one.

I read Sane has 1 assist and 0 goals in his 12 games for Germany. 

Edited June 5, 20188 yr by Stim

Good to see England win with two good goals in open play, nothing special yet a solid performance.

Of course the real test starts just over a week away.