SOUTHGATE HAS DECIDED

The dust has settled and decisions have been made and barring injury the final 23 man squad for England at World Cup 2018 has been selected by company man Gareth ‘GS’ Southgate. Here are a few of my musings on the squad.

GOALKEEPERS

Obviously the shock omission is no Joe Hart leaving three keepers with just 9 caps between them. It is a bit of a gamble with a lack of experience, but lets be honest the chosen trio have had miles better seasons than the 75 cap veteran, who at times this season could not even hold down the number one spot at West Ham. For me it was a much simpler decision than some people have made out especially as Hart wouldn’t have started a game unless two injuries struck, so why take him ahead of  a keeper in much better form?

DEFENDERS

Southgate has already nailed his colours to the mast and will favour playing a back three at the World Cup with ball playing centre halves. His wildcard pick of Trent Alexander-Arnold will allow him to continue the experiment of Kyle Walker as one of the centre trio. The main debate was Cahill or Smalling. No doubt the Manchester United defender has had a better overall season, but GS has gone with the Chelsea man for a couple of reasons in my opinion. Firstly he is used to playing in a back three  and lets be fair he has forced his way back in with solid performances for his club. Cahill will be back up I suspect, but it is clear that Southgate has lost faith in Smalling’s ability to do what he wants him to do.

Incidentally, it would be good to hear from anyone who’s planning to bet on the World Cup. This time round it looks very open and any one of four or five teams could easily win? If anyone’s placing any bets, you can get details of the best bookies here, and please do share your thoughts in the comments below.

MIDFIELDERS

Like with Joe Hart, some people were shocked that Jack Wilshere did not get a call for this World Cup especially with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain missing the tournament through injury, lack of creativity being the main issue cited. Unfortunately missing the friendlies against Holland and Italy in March because he was not fit has clearly stuck in the managers mind and being omitted is justifiable in my opinion. Southgate wants players who are proven in lasting course and distance so he has plenty of options. Yes the midfield does look a like a group of workmanlike selections but there are most definitely sprinkles of stardust in there especially with Sterling and Lingard and if Dele Alli can find his form of the previous couple of seasons, England will be able to cause damage to any defence.

FORWARDS

Clear and obvious choices made here. The only possible question mark is the selection of Danny Welbeck, who lets be honest hasn’t had the greatest of seasons at Arsenal, with injury being a huge factor. The thought that maybe a big man as an alternative could potentially have forced their way in went by the wayside as potentials such as Andy Carroll and Troy Deeney struggled with form and fitness and Glenn Murray was deemed too old. Once fit Southgate selected Welbeck straight away and it was obvious he was the favoured choice for the final cut and to be fair he has never let his national team down when selected.

Let me know what you think

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