Picking Our England XI vs Spain

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2:51Alan Shearer:the current world champions. Do you like international breaks or do you not like international breaks? Well, as a player or a pundit? That was it. Either or, either or. As a player, yeah, I love the international breaks. As a pundit, I also love the international breaks because we don't do any live TV, so we can have a bit of time off. So yeah, I do love them. I was really interested in some of Tuchel's comments over the last few days. So Chaz? Well, when he said about 99.9 % of people just want to talk about Mexico and Croatia and whatever, they don't want to talk about substitutions in the Argentina game.

3:30And I'm thinking, hmm, I'm not sure that's the case.

3:33Alan Shearer:I thought that was a complete nonsense. Absolutely everyone was talking about that at the time. And everyone had their question marks about his substitutions. And then to just dismiss it. and no it was just the only thing that people remember a couple of goals against Croatia and that great game against Mexico but yeah I thought that was a bit odd he's trying to deflect isn't he he knows full well he was brought in to win the competition what are we even talking about here it's not easy though but we're talking about the situation as his comments so he's done exactly what we want him to you know what he knows we're all going to do I think the Mexico game was amazing.

4:19It really was. And it was one of the best, especially in my lifetime, the boys to go to the Azteca and do what they did. So he's right. But on the other hand, he was brought in to win the World Cup, wasn't he? As simple as that. And it wasn't just, it wasn't just the formation. It took off Gordon, didn't he? And then brought on the defender. It wasn't just that. It was the belief of the players. So we could talk about systems all we want, can't we? And I like to delve, as we all do, like into the systems and the tactics and all that sort of stuff. But also, no matter what players you have on the pitch, even when we was under the cosh, the whole team was back, no matter what players you got there.

5:05His job is, regardless of the system, is to push the team up the field anyway. You know what I mean? Regardless if you're going at five at the back, regardless if you're going with wingers or whatnot. if you're too deep, you're too deep. And we were too deep. So we can pick the system and the tactics, but his job should have been, guys, we're way too deep here. You know, as simple as that. It's not as simple as that, of course, because in the moment and the pressure and all those sorts of things. But we all know we was too deep as a team, regardless what players he had on the field at the time.

5:40Yeah. And with the personnel changes that he's brought into the squad, guys. I mean, Lewis Hall, for example. Yeah. He should have been in the squad anyway. Looking at his performances this season, absolutely. I know he's back in there, but he should have been. He's one of them that without doubt should have been in the squad and was an error from what I thought.

6:00Alan Shearer:Looking at the squad and the fact that he's basically brought in most of the players that we all thought should have been in the World Cup squad. So obviously Lewis Hall, Cole Palmer, in particular those two. And you can also obviously add Alexander-Arnold. So overall, was that sort of an admission that he got it wrong or not? Look at the right back. I mean, with what's happened, Rhys James' injury, and Liveramento was in but is now injured. He pulled out last Saturday's game. Palmer out-injured it, I know, but was named in the squad. we'll speak about him more I guess in a minute but yeah I think part of that there's a small part of that says yeah I could have done things differently he's brought in Trent and Trent's not played loads and loads of minutes has he?

6:52no he's not played that many in terms of other options if Spencer's out injured James is out injured Liveramento injured so yeah I guess he had to bring him back no?

7:02Alan Shearer:let's take a look at the original squad Thomas Tuchel picked So we've got Pickford, Trafford and Steele, the three goalkeepers. Defenders, Alexander-Arnold, Branthwaite, Chalabah, Gaye, Hall, Concer, Livermento, O 'Reilly and Kwanzaa. Midfielders, you've got Anderson, Bellingham, Lewis Skelly, Maynou, Palmer, Rice, Scott. And then up front, Calvert-Lewin has started the season, while Eza, Gordon, Kane, Ungamoa, Rashford, Rodgers and Saka. I like it. I like it. I think it's more balanced actually. Agreed. It's way more balanced. It's more fresh. They've got legs. I like the Rio and Gamora shout.

7:42I really like that. I like the Alex Scott shout. Alex Scott, absolutely. Yeah, I've been saying that for the last year. He was my, a year ago, he was my wild card to make the, to crash the squad. I got it a little bit late, but we all know what he can do. I think, yeah, I think it looks really good. Konza's playing well. Yeah.

8:00Alan Shearer:I think this is, the squad that he didn't pick for the World Cup, obviously, because he had this strange thing that he just wanted to rely on 14, 15 players, which he said himself publicly on a number of occasions. So, and I think with hindsight, he'll realise that that was probably an error. It's his first major tournament. I understand why he did that. But anyone who's played in tournaments knows that the team that you start with is very rarely ends up being the one that you finish with in a tournament, whether it's for injuries, form changes, all sorts of things happen. And I think that premise of just relying on 14, 15 players, even though overall he did have to bring a few more in, I think was a gamble that didn't quite work.

8:46Alan Shearer:And I think you'll learn from that because I think you definitely in a, in a world cup with, with all the issues, the traveling, the heat, the extra game that you have in that tournament is you're going to have to rely on more than just 14, 15 players, particularly when you take in the number of substitutions you can use these days. And I think he'll, I don't think he'll do that again on the Euros. You know what I think Tuchel's problem is? Because I still think he's a fantastic manager. I think he's very good tactically. I think he's got it as well. Yes, managers can make mistakes, but I actually think he's too honest.

9:24If you're going into a tournament and there's news comes out the camp that he only wants to use 14, 15 players. You've lost half of the other players. Do you know what I mean? It's like, well, what, what, like players coming to the squad now thinking, oh, well, I'm coming there just to be on the bench or I'm an afterthought. The difference is with players nowadays, you need to keep everybody on board. They're more tapped into the feelings that you've got to make them feel like they're the best player in the world now, you know and i feel like he's too honest he's too honest with some of his assessments of things and then even the fact that you remember before the world cup the whole jude bellingham thing where he left the way it's like he's almost creating problems for no reason yes some might say he got a reaction at him because he was the best player in the world cup it might have worked on that but if it went the other way you've lost one of your star players and going forward jude is always going to be pivotal what you need to do.

10:24So I feel as though he needs to withhold some information from us guys because it feels like we're always got something to talk about where he needs to keep it a bit more in-house, I would say.

10:36Alan Shearer:Yeah. Did I tell you I bumped into him at Tottenham? No. He's up in the owner's suite. Oh, is that where you was? With all the fancy sandwiches, were you? Well, it's better than that. The food was absolutely exceptional, I have to say. I think Tom Kerridge is in charge of the food in the owner's suite there. Pity he's not in charge of the football there. I need to get him on the pitch then. I had a quick word with Thomas. How was he? Yeah, he was fine. We had a little bit of a hug and I said, I'd love to get your inside take on the game, on the World Cup at some point. And he went, yeah, yeah, yeah.

11:14Alan Shearer:But I don't think he meant it.

11:18Alan Shearer:But yeah, I wonder, I mean, absolutely right. He's clearly an exceptional coach. This is international football. He's different in terms of the way things run. You get the players for just a short spell of time. You've got to make the most and then you've got a major tour. It's different. I think he would have learned a lot from the World Cup. And I think he'll do things slightly differently in the European Championship. And I think he'll be in a better position, I think, to get the best out of England in the Euros. Here we go again. It's the hope that kills us. One day. one day we're going to fluke one and get it well you need a bit of luck we need something to happen to get through got a nice easy start though haven't they well yeah Spain that's a game I think we'll all look forward to and congratulate the world champions I mean whatever you think I think pretty much everyone agreed that Spain were the best team in the tournament and the best team won definitely without a doubt didn't start the best though did they but they've finished at best.

12:20Yeah.

12:20Alan Shearer:Let's take a break there and discuss one or two of the players that are in the squad when we come back. This episode is brought to you by Guinness. Now that the Premier League is back, we've had a few weeks to settle into those familiar match day rituals. So, do you have a plan at home, Alan? I do, yeah. If it's a three o 'clock kick-off, then I'll go with my pals at half twelve, one o 'clock to the pub in town and have a couple of pints of Guinness. And then walk up to St. James's Park. Micah, when you're not working? No, just in, well, at home, cinema room, you know, got the game on. Nice little Guinness.

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14:32Alan Shearer:Welcome back to The Rest is Football with Michael Richards, Alan Shira, and me, Gary Lineker. Looking at the England squad, why don't we pick our starting 11, even though obviously we don't get a say in matters, but like every fan in the country, we'll have our own. We'll base it on, obviously, the squad that's gone. Michael, goalkeeper, Pickford, Trafford or Steele? I would go with Trafford. It's time for a change and trying... No, not because Pickford's done anything wrong. I'm just thinking two years from now, Trafford started really well at Leeds. And if you want to look for a new team, you've got to give people an opportunity, haven't you?

15:10Although it's one of those where, do you put him in against Spain, against world champions? And then if they were to win the game, knock his confidence. So that's a, it's a difficult decision that, I may, I maybe wait till after Spain, but I would go with Trafford going forward, just, just to see what he can do. Al? Pickford and goal for me. For this one? Yeah, for this one, yeah. I think,

15:39Alan Shearer:I think Trafford's probably the future. Yeah. He's got a composure and a confidence that I like a lot. Agreed. They're not an enormous choice of right backs. You've got Trent, obviously, and Concer can play there. So full backs, possibly Trent and O 'Reilly? No. Lewis Hall. Lewis Hall, yeah. Has to be. My back four would be Trent. Yeah. It would be Geahy, Concer and Lewis Hall. I think Lewis Hall was probably the unluckiest of anyone to miss out on that World Cup squad. I was astonished when he was left out. So, hold on, hold on. Where's O 'Reilly going on your team, Al? He's not. I didn't put him in.

16:18I had Lewis Hall. I had Conce. I had Geahy. And I had Liv Romento. Oh, wait. I'm Lewis Hall's biggest fan. I was the one bigging him up when he was at Chelsea, even way back when. But you can't play ahead of O 'Reilly. Are we being serious here? Very. I've not seen... One, he should have been an England squad, and two, he's had a brilliant start to the season. So Lewis Hall left back for me. What are you looking around like an idiot for?

16:48Anyway, O 'Reilly is... Oh, really? Oh, really? Oh, really? Oh, really? As you would say in the famous Alan Shearer words, he is magnificent. 100%. I agree with you. Outstanding. But O 'Reilly, O 'Reilly, in the World Cup was amazing. There's an argument to say you push him further forward but yeah, he was good in the World Cup but I would go with Lewis Hall. No, I'd go with O 'Reilly. I mean, Hall's good but O 'Reilly, he's got to be O 'Reilly.

17:22Alan Shearer:This just shows you, doesn't it? Just one example there of that particular discussion or argument, debate, whatever, how hard it is. There's only one view that counts and it's his but most people will end up disagreeing with one aspect of your team and that's all they devote their time to arguing about. Give them half each, 45 each. We'll make a deal on that. Okay. Two central defenders, I think we'd pretty much probably all go gay and consa. Yeah. Yeah. Although I like the Bromph way. I like him. If he stays fit this season. Yeah. He's had a few injuries in the last year or two, but hopefully he's over those.

18:05Alan Shearer:I mean, I think all these players will probably play over the few games that they've got over the next two or three weeks midfield some strong players in here I mean if you're just reading them out whether you know if you can get the balance right Anderson Bellingham Lewis Skelly Garner now Gibbs White of course and Scott and now with Declan Rice and Cobby Mayno out of the squad I think my midfield three would be Bellingham and Anderson and probably Scott that's what I would go for you that's the three I've got as well I'll The other who Thomas Tuchel has picked up following the pull-outs at Micah is Morgan Gibbs-White.

18:40I think he deserves that, don't you? I think he's done enough now. He's been consistent over the last couple of years. He can play off the left. He can play in the turn. He can play on the right. He can go a bit deeper. He's versatile in what the manager needs. So I'd like to see him given a chance as well.

18:55Alan Shearer:Up top, Calvert-Lewin's coming to the squad. A good start to the season at Leeds. Eze's still in there. Anthony Gordon who's started pretty well at Barcelona yeah he's got loads of assists hasn't he I mean Barcelona are just smashing everybody at the moment so which is a worrying because mostly it's the Spanish team that's about to play against England so he's done okay Anthony Gordon he's been used a little bit like Rashford last season yeah coming off the bench a lot he did start the last game did okay then you've got Harry Kane he might sneak in on Gamow as we talked about Rodgers and Saka so front three Kane, Saka, Rodgers ooh yes I like it I was thinking Gordon because he started well for Barca but Rodgers also I said Rodgers on the left in the World Cup oh who's going to play number 10 it's got to be Jude or it's got to be I said put Rodgers on the left no one agreed with me now we're saying Rodgers on the left yes I'll agree with you on that I'll agree with you.

20:03Roger's on the left, mate. I like it.

20:05Alan Shearer:I like it. Okay, I think we've got a starting line up there, which Thomas Tuchel will completely ignore, and probably wisely so. It's a cracking start to the international season. I know we don't love international breaks in terms of the domestic football gets interrupted for quite long, but England-Spain, the World Cup winners, it's a good challenge for England, I'm not sure. I'm not sure there's one they'll enjoy. Coming on the back end to the international fold after that high, do you think that they'll be right at it? I'm not sure you'll see them being as brilliant as they were, but it's a great start.

20:45What happened with England and what happened with Spain, England need to bounce back. It's not a game that England can afford to lose because Thomas Tuchel needs to get rid of the comments that we all made about the Argentina game. So, yeah, it's a great one to have, isn't it? It's a great one to start with for England. I'm intrigued to see this team moving forward now in the next two years, building up to the Euros. That's in UK and Ireland, isn't it? So, I mean, I'm really looking forward to it. So I'm going to be watching every minute of every game, see what it does tactically, see what players introduces, maybe a Trafford, maybe an Alex Scott, maybe a Hall, as Alan wants.

21:27and then potentially seeing what he does if he wants to give Kane a rest. Does he put Jude in that nine? Will he bring Rodgers into then the 10? Will he go Gordon on the left? Will he go Rio and Gamora on the left? I think there's so many different ideas that he'll have. I'm intrigued to find out what he's going to do.

21:50Alan Shearer:Yeah. For the past few years, all the games outside the competitions themselves have been against, with all due respect, inferior opposition, really. You know, very small countries, et cetera. And there's never really been too many challenges, particularly as they dropped out that top bunch in the Nations League and dropped out into the second tier. So that didn't help either. So it's good to see in this international break that there are fixtures that will offer a real challenge and we'll get a little bit more of an insight into, to hopefully England's post-World Cup progress. Yep. Interesting, some big names have gone into international management to make their debuts, obviously, in this international break.

22:36Alan Shearer:One is a certain Zinedine Zidane. And the other one, of course, is Jurgen Klopp with Germany. Both of them take over at a time that is advantageous to them in the sense that Germany have not been very good. in recent times and I think Klopp will make a real difference I suspect Zinedine Zidane was quite pleased we will never admit that France didn't win the World Cup because that would have been I mean such a difficult job following Didier Duchamp if they'd won two World Cups and so I think he'll never he'll never admit it obviously but I would imagine that it gives him somewhere to go Zidane's been sat waiting patiently for this job hasn't he but I mean because of the success so But it's great to see him back in the game.