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Episode 20 | Southgate Would NEVER Pick This Squad | World Cup 2026 Special
22 Plays2 months ago
In this week’s explosive emergency deep dive, we’re breaking down the shocking leaks and tactical gambles defining Thomas Tuchel’s potential 26-man England squad for the 2026 World Cup, where the "safe" era of selection has officially been torched. The headlines are dominated by a brutal "Tuchel Axe" that could see world-class creators like Trent Alexander-Arnold left at home in favor of defensive discipline, while a stunning career renaissance for Harry Maguire has reportedly made him a non-negotiable starter alongside the rising dominance of midfield prodigies Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo. We debate whether Phil Foden's tactical fit is a liability that could lead to a benching, if Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly is the secret teenage weapon to solve the perennial left-back crisis, and how Marcus Rashford’s potential recall as a central striker provides the only viable Plan B for Harry Kane’s "Last Dance." It is the most talented Three Lions roster in history, but with Tuchel’s German efficiency demanding total defensive work rates, several superstars are about to find out that if they don't track back, they aren't getting a boarding pass to North America.
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Transcript
Introduction & Podcast Theme
00:00:37
Speaker
Yo, don't cry, don't beg. Welcome to another episode of the Don't Blame the Ref podcast. The podcast where we actually can't really discuss Chelsea or Man United. It's the international break.
00:00:50
Speaker
Everyone's the most hated time of the year. Bro, we have like five of these a season now. But graphic i I think sometimes we do our best work in in international break still. We start talking about different subjects.
00:01:03
Speaker
So hopefully hopefully it's enjoyable. And all here and to all you guys, probably one or two, but there's one in particular, you know who I'm talking about. um Don't come listening to this to get your licks off, to get your your weekly fix of my pain.
00:01:21
Speaker
Yeah? Bro, we were supposed to do a podcast after the Chelsea
Why Do International Breaks Displease Fans?
00:01:25
Speaker
drumming, bro. You don't know three, no, and we didn't even speak about it. that that's what That's what we're doing now. We're ducking the responsibilities. sheo Yeah, do you know what is? My wife's birthday, I was naked and Chelsea lost 3-0. Hey, I ain't about to spend an hour and a half talking about that.
00:01:41
Speaker
I hear you. Representing the red corner, you got me, Dom. Yes, and representing the blue corner, you got me, E-man. So yeah, as I mentioned in the beginning of the pod, it's an international break. So the only thing we can really talk about right now is international football.
00:02:02
Speaker
But we're not talking about friendlies. We don't do that. No. We don't do that. on let me Let me tell you, I've i've watched a grand total of zero minutes of this international break.
00:02:12
Speaker
I don't care. I don't care. yeah all All I care about is when the World Cup hits. That's it. So, yeah.
England's Football Team: Key Discussion Topics
00:02:20
Speaker
but ah That's what we're going to speak about today. Just both of us being in England, English to some extent.
00:02:29
Speaker
Mm-hmm. Depending on who you are and what English is.
00:02:39
Speaker
it's a bit mad right now checking your shoulders and stuff way way but but yeah this summer i'm not actually i can't even say that anyway forgot godness anyway bro we got smoked by austria yeah
00:03:03
Speaker
who Let me keep it track. Basically, we're go we're just going to be discussing all things England today. um We're going to run through our thoughts on what our 25-man squad... I don't even know if it's still 25-man, but we're going to assume it's still 25-man squad. I think it might be 28. It might be 28, I'm not too sure. I'd have to Google it. That's too many, bro. That's too many. Yeah, we've worked off 28, 25, so we're going to go with that.
00:03:35
Speaker
Yeah, so anyway, we're we're going to start by just going through the different sections of the team.
Is Jordan Pickford the Right Choice for Goalkeeper?
00:03:41
Speaker
So think the best place to start, the easiest place, I think, we're both probably going to agree on this, goalkeeper.
00:03:50
Speaker
England's had the number one for like the last three tournaments three four tournaments now actually feel like he's been our number one for ages he was the last man number one but yeah we're talking about I have no idea yeah we're talking about Jordan Pickford I think obviously he's England's number one starting doesn't matter who you think he's starting it doesn't matter who you think is better if you like James Trafford if you like Nick Pope if you like whoever Pickford's starting so you might probably be worrying about that Yeah, and i'll say I'll say for for definitely Nick Pope, Nick Pope ain't really the Nick Pope of old. He doesn't have the passing ability to play like Pickford, so he ain't playing. Trafford is probably a little bit too inexperienced. If Trafford was starting week in, week out for City on top of their league, then there might be more of a conversation. But obviously, you know, we know what's happening there. So Trafford won't be starting. But what we were saying what i will say is Trafford is definitely England's next number one, I think. yeah um
00:04:47
Speaker
He just needs to either displace Donnarooble or go to a club that's going to make him number one. yeah And he'll have a good, good chance to play in the next World Cup. Even though I don't think he's going to be starting for England, I do think he's going on the plane. So... I think he should go as well. If England have the idea of making him the number one in the future, let him be around the camp. Let him see what it's like, see what it takes to be around to be the number one. He can chat to Pickford, like whatever. he say can understand the mental preparation for taking up that mental. Yeah.
00:05:23
Speaker
even though England haven't been successful in World Cups or international tournaments, there is a lot of pressure on the England team every tournament. There's a lot of expectation. Over-sell, under-deliver. That's what England have been my whole life.
00:05:36
Speaker
Facts. Facts. And only way you can like get a taste of that pressure is by being there. Even if you're not starting... Like, be in there, be training with those guys every day. You'll you'll understand the pressure and the and and it will give give them good experience to then, hopefully, in the next World Cup or or any after, he'll have a decent time. What will say about Mr Jordan Pickford, ain't never liked him. I can't lie.
00:06:03
Speaker
I ain't never liked him. um And not as a person, I don't know. no, I'm not making it personal. I just mean as ah as a footballer, I've never really, it's just never been my cup tea. I personally don't, I do have a stigma between, I do have a stigma thinking that short goalkeepers just are the one. Yeah, not fan, a fan.
00:06:23
Speaker
Not a fan, but what i will say about Pickford is he has an incredible spring. He's incredibly agile and he does really well to save some really good shots. Great reactions. He's a decent penny stopper as well, to be fair. He's not someone who I'd make a big fuss on, but what will say is if we were in search of a goalkeeper this summer,
00:06:49
Speaker
If we signed Jordan Pickford, I would have been fuming. That's the way I'd put it. If ended up with Jordan Pickford as our number one, I would have been fuming. Not having that. The only thing that gets me annoyed about Pickford now, or has always got me annoyed about Pickford, is my man will make a mistake and then he will start doing these high gestures, yeah, and then start blaming others when it was your fault.
00:07:17
Speaker
He didn't start screaming at people. And then sometimes he felt like he lacked the calmness to be England's number one. And he just seemed like he was always on edge. But I do think he has calmed it down a bit. Even even watching Everton, I do think he has calmed it down. But...
00:07:36
Speaker
yeah they They do say goalkeepers in general have a bit of a screw loose. Yeah, quite a few of them. and I think we're both in agreeance with Jordan Pitford and James Shufford. And then I guess the third spot, for me personally, would say Dean Henderson. You want and a backup goalkeeper to be someone who's actually playing week in, week out. he's brave He's the number one for Palace. You don't want to yeah play someone who has already been given minutes.
00:08:02
Speaker
Technically, he's the only one there to win a trophy.
00:08:07
Speaker
There you go. Two even. He's got two techniques. Yeah, exactly. So, well, Trafford now has the leaker, but you get one them.
England's Defense: Who Should Start?
00:08:16
Speaker
So, going on to defenders, this one's going to be a tough one. so how do want do it? Do you want to do, like, full backs and then do semi-backs?
00:08:25
Speaker
Yeah, because I need to speak to you about your choices. Your choices, mate. Yeah? All right. So at right back, I've got Rhys James and Liveramento.
00:08:37
Speaker
At left back, I have got... You what? No, go ahead. Go ahead. Yeah. And I've got... um At left back, I've got Lewis Hall and Nico O'Reilly. Who do you have at fullback?
00:08:50
Speaker
So I've got Rhys James as well as my right back. That's my starting in right back. I've also got Trent.
00:08:59
Speaker
And then left back, I've got Livermanto as well. He can play both sides. And I've got Lewis. Okay. All right, cool. Riddle me this, big man. here
00:09:10
Speaker
Why is Chent there? Because when it comes to international football, year for me personally... a lot of the games, especially of England, England are extremely stale when it comes to international tournaments.
00:09:23
Speaker
You need a game breaker. You need someone who's just got the ability to just do something that people aren't really prepared for. Like, you can't... Sometimes you can't defend against what Trent does because...
00:09:35
Speaker
Man's just at the halfway line. Perfect ball, pinpoint, straight into Rashford's feet. And then now he's in and gone. Like that kind of stuff. you People don't do that because they don't have the capability. Obviously, you have right backs that can cross. Rich James is a very good cross of the ball. He's a good set-piece taker. England have a lot of good set-piece takers. So I'm not taking Trent just for that.
00:09:55
Speaker
But you want to have as many weapons as possible. I don't just need another steady Eddie. I'm taking Livermanto too, though. you are both We're both saying we're going to take him. But for me, Livermanto is more the idea of cover on both sides.
00:10:07
Speaker
That's the reason why I'm taking Trent. Not because I think
Midfield Dilemmas: Who Steps Up without Rice?
00:10:10
Speaker
Trent is amazing. just think you need plan B, plan C, plan D. That's something. I don't want England to be going into the last five minutes of a game and like, well, we ain't got that enough. that That's me personally.
00:10:22
Speaker
So here's where I'm going to counteract that big man. Yeah. I think Trent, this current version of Trent, who hasn't played a lot of games for Real Madrid, who has also defended poorly in the last year two years of his career, and he's yet to show consistency in his defensive actions um for the last two years, in my opinion.
00:10:44
Speaker
I don't think that's somebody you should be taking to the World Cup, especially when we have... game breakers on the left-hand side. So you're Lewis Halls and you're Nico O'Reilly.
00:10:56
Speaker
And those guys are stepping up this season. And I think it's really bad to now bring in Trent and then sacrifice a left footer on the left side. Yes, Hall will be your starting fullback on your side. However, let's say Hall goes down an injury as he has in his in his short career.
00:11:15
Speaker
um You are then left with Liverpool at left back, which kills your progression on the left hand side and you're not going to get any crossing or overlapping from, like, Liverpool Reds will overlap, but the quality on his left foot is not going to be the same.
00:11:30
Speaker
Yeah, so I get that to some extent, but then I would say there's also conversation on people taking Jed Spence and playing him as a left back, which, if he had to ask me, I would rather take Liverpool because Jed Spence has actually been playing quite a bit on the two shows well, so I would look at... What's wrong with Nico O'Reilly? Why is he not in your team?
00:11:51
Speaker
Because for me, I think, I think Nico O'Reilly as a left back, as a footballer, I think he's good. I think he's very, very good. He's probably going to win PFA um Young Player of the Year. He should win it.
00:12:03
Speaker
What he's instructed to do in the Man City system is not one what he's going to be asked to do in the um England system. So if he's just being asked to play as a um traditional fullback... But the question I'll ask you, who's the manager?
00:12:18
Speaker
Tuchel. Has anybody had have England ever had anybody as tactically astute as Tuchel? Not really, but at the same time, thing is just more of the of the fact that we don't really know what Tuchel's going to do.
00:12:35
Speaker
And within that, with international football, people don't tend to overcomplicate it like that. It's normally very safe and you ask your best players to do what they do. So I think it will be more inclined to go with a traditional layup. That's the only reason why I wouldn't take him because i don't think he'll be used properly. That's that's me personally.
00:12:55
Speaker
All right, all right. My integration is done. i still disagree. i still disagree um And I do think it would be an absolute shame to not have me Nico O'Reilly at the World Cup. Is there anyone else that we haven't mentioned in the full-back position that might even be in contention? Obviously, Lewis Skelly last season, he was um in and out of the England team because he was playing a lot for Arsenal. But Tuchel made it very clear that if you're not playing regularly for your club you're probably not coming.
00:13:24
Speaker
so does Yeah, i did at this point, no. i And I think at the left-back position, you have two left-back profiles or even Livermanto that are much more mobile than Lewis Skelly is anyway. So i believe from a defensive point of view, those guys would be a lot more useful in your halls, Nico Riley and Livermanto. Even Jed Spence defensively, I think is better than...
00:13:51
Speaker
Lewis Skelly but and then you've got players that can match him or exceed him on the ball so I just don't think there's a space for him even if he was playing regularly and then and then you've also got Ben White as well but he's on either than that I wouldn't For me personally, there's a funny thing that's going on with Ben White. Obviously, he had an issue with Southgate in the last England set-up and he... ah Not retired, he withdrew himself from England's selection. Like, i don't don't even pick me, I don't want to come. And then now he's kind of been, oh, yeah, you can pick me now. I think that's a bit like... For me, that's a bit...
00:14:31
Speaker
like I don't even know the word for it. I think it's just a bit egotistical. Like, bro, who do you think you are? i'm not even... I'm not even
Striker Selection: Who Leads the Attack?
00:14:38
Speaker
got Brexit. Like, I'm not even like that. Is it... yeah go on. Is it that or is it... You just have a breakdown of relationship with the people that are currently in charge, no? Yeah, I hear that. So if he if he if he is if he's... If him and Southgate just aren't cool, what's the point?
00:14:55
Speaker
No, I hear that. I hear him withdrawing from... That camp. And I think I remember roughly around that time, it was a bit of an issue because I think he wanted to play a bit more and he wasn't.
00:15:08
Speaker
Southgate had this fixed team. It was Kyle Walker, bro. Like, you're not... Kyle Walker Trippier. And if you're Ben White, you're thinking, bro, how am I getting benched to these guys when I'm... For the last couple of years, I've been a starting right back in the team that's competing for the league and you just got out here doing nothing. He was right.
00:15:25
Speaker
yeah like that version another version of cow yeah That version of Walker was finished. Yeah, once it was. done I mean, look at the outcome. He didn't win. So I'm not saying that's Kyle Walker's fault, but it's decisions like that um that lead to the outcomes that happen. But yeah, me personally, I just like, if if you're going to take that stance, I just wouldn't. Me personally, I just wouldn't pick him.
00:15:52
Speaker
Also because he's injury prone as well. I just wouldn't pick him. But um yeah, can't be taking guys on the plane from the start like that. Yeah, do i I do think this round of um selections were a lot of um people who are like, oh, you haven't been selected, let me pick you. But I do think... I think Tuchel knows his his team by now. Yeah, yeah. And it'll just be one... Barren no injuries, like, no major injuries, like, it's the team's pretty much longer. It'll be basically one or two spots left that he's probably unsure about and just needed confirmation, really. So... um
00:16:29
Speaker
Yeah, so let's move on to center back since you've mentioned Ben White. Who were your options for center backs? So for me, funny enough, let me i might I might need to get that up pig again because I can't remember. But I remember the the main one. So Gehi, definitely going.
00:16:44
Speaker
Harry Maguire, definitely going. Who? Harry Maguire is definitely going, bro. Who? haroo Harold Reginald III is going, bro. let me Let's be honest, bro. He's definitely going. He ain't going.
00:17:03
Speaker
i don't think you... He ain't going, bro. Too good to rate Fair enough, but... Anyway, you rate him. That's important. Yeah. So how many centre-backs do have? Yeah, had Maguire, Gehi, Konsa.
00:17:19
Speaker
um And then the fourth one... I had four centre-backs, but the fourth one... For me, I would go for Tomori. I haven't watched him recently in... so If
Winger Options: Rashford's Role?
00:17:30
Speaker
it's either him, Dan Byrne, and whoever else you you have on...
00:17:38
Speaker
okay it's okay i'll take glory like that's Tamo, he's been playing right back, bruv. He's got to play centre-back. That's even better. He can play he could play both positions, bro. I'm good on that. I'm good on that. All right, here's my couple of... Sorry, here's my my list, yeah? I've gone with four centre-backs and I've gone with Chalabar.
00:18:00
Speaker
Chaloba. Chaloba. Wait, wait, wait. The guy, this guy. No, no, no, no. Emmanuel is such a fraud, yeah? Because you hear him on the pod, the way he talks about the Chelsea defence and he's got Chaloba. But wait, listen. Listen to who else has gone. How many times have I backed it? Go ahead. How many times have backed it?
00:18:18
Speaker
How many times have backed it? The Chelsea defence or this and that. Yeah, man. let let's talk about Harry and Maguire. Go ahead. Go ahead. At the end of the day, it's pieces and you're connecting pieces. You're not doing it based off team performance. Yeah? Cool.
00:18:33
Speaker
He's injured anyway, so my man might not be in contention. But out of the horse's mouth, Tukul said himself, he sees Chalabut over Maguire. Eat that. Okay, man. Things change, bro. Things change, bro. Let's see when Chelsea don't go to the Champions League. We'll see what happens then. Alright, so cool.
00:18:54
Speaker
Can I go with Konza? I think I went with Konza in the end. Yeah, yeah. Then the two left centre-back as Colwell and Gay. Now, look, you have a problem. Colwell. Colwell. Like, listen, this guy is Chelsea. This guy has a step four. He has a step four on the pitch this whole season. This whole season.
00:19:19
Speaker
And he wants Flippin' Colwell to come. Come and do what?
Who Should Be England's Number 10?
00:19:22
Speaker
No, but look, here's my thing, yeah? Left-footed centre-back. You have... Me, I'm all about balance. Put the left foot on the left-hand side. Put the right foot on the right-hand side. Stop putting right footers on the left-hand side. Stop putting left footers on the left-hand side. Yeah? Stop it.
00:19:37
Speaker
So what I'm saying now is, I'd rather have Cole Will coming back from ACL than Dan Byrne. you get what I'm saying? ACL. Mando. He just needs injections of adrenaline every game. Just get him going. Is he even good anyway?
00:19:54
Speaker
Is he even good anyway? Let's be honest. Before he got injured, what was he? was he youth played you'd played you played who played He was playing. He was playing. He was playing over Gehi. He was playing over Gehi, bro. Every game, left hand side.
00:20:08
Speaker
The best footballers in the world, you know. Like, let's... I thought he was playing. Like, no, no. He was playing, bro. I don't even chat. Like, no, he was playing. Southgate was picking. He was going to be Southgate's linchman.
00:20:21
Speaker
Listen, at least Trent is playing minutes now. You're talking about a man who... Man, I said no. He hasn't even been injured and man wasn't playing. He was injured for a bit. What you mean? He was injured for a bit. Oh, Tom, like... few weeks, a couple of weeks. That Cold War and Chalibut shout is insane.
00:20:40
Speaker
That's insanity. I i don't care, I'm not having that. That's ridiculous. day But then um England centre-back thing, I can't lie. It's not too solid. It's not too solid, bro. Trust me, it's not too solid. So really, it should probably be
00:21:01
Speaker
Gehi is definitely starting. Gehi is definitely starting. Gehi 100%. And if i'm if I'm... The problem is, Tukul's going to want to press high. Even if it's hot in America, he's going to want to press high.
00:21:15
Speaker
Yeah? Now, he's not going to do it 24-7, every single game, every single minute. Yeah? So there is a place for Maguire. So if you said to me, right, cool, Maguire's on a plane, Chalabro's not cool. If Maguire's on a plane, Cole's not cool.
00:21:28
Speaker
Yeah, so id I'd even go, I'd even drop Colwell from Maguire, keep Chaliba. Because I'm telling you, Chaliba-Konza is a good is a good center right centre-back pairing and that you can you can rotate between two, whichever one you think is best at the time. I think Chaliba is the sort of player you only appreciate when you actually
Predicting England's Tournament Performance
00:21:47
Speaker
like when you these men only appreciate him when these the team's playing well they only do that but when the team's not playing well oh suddenly it means Chalibos is not playing well but I feel like they always do it to academy products prospects anyway if the thing is for me um is only reason why I'm saying Harry Maguire is two things right
00:22:07
Speaker
At some point, we need the experience, the international tour tournament experience. He's been there for a isn't it? He's going to have that. He's star in quotation marks. And he's got the mental fortitude. Bro, remember the pen in the Euros against Italy. That pen. but even I'll just take him just for that, bro. You're taking the pen, bro. Facts. Facts.
00:22:30
Speaker
Yeah, you you got that. And for me, I feel like it's either going to be Maguire or
France as Favorites: Who to Watch?
00:22:35
Speaker
Dan Byrne. One of them two is going to end up going. I can't have I'm taking Maguire over Dan Byrne.
00:22:41
Speaker
That's what I think. There's no way. Yeah, 100%. There's no way you can take both of those. That is like suicidal. So, cool. Love that. Good start. um I do think my team would, my defence would smash your defence, but that's fine. Yeah, that's if you guys make it onto the pitch, man. That's cool, man.
00:23:02
Speaker
It's true. Do you know what's mad? A lot my players are injury prone. That's what I'm saying. All of them are injury prone. He wants to go one and a half players. Yeah. Should we move on to the midfield? do you want to do it? you want to do like the actual central midfielders and then the forwards and the wingers will be like separate?
00:23:27
Speaker
Yeah, we'll do the double pivots first, the two defensive players. um So for that two, I chose, i actually chose five players. um I just think it's good to have a different, you know, loads of different options for that position. um So I've got, plus I had a few lightweight midfielders in there. So I just, I needed to bring someone a bit more steel, bit more oomph.
00:23:52
Speaker
So I've got Declan Rice, um, Alex Scott, who I've really liked recently. I had not you know watched him properly, but I've been watching him for the last couple games with Bournemouth.
00:24:05
Speaker
And I think he did all right when he appeared for England the last time. um So Alex Scott, Declan Rice, Kobe Maynou, in my opinion, no-brainer.
00:24:18
Speaker
Elliot Anderson, who... but I'll be honest, this I didn't wait until Tukul brought him into the England squad. I'll be very honest. just didn't wait him that much. know, the thing about Elliot Anderson, I think we had pod couple of weeks ago where we were both a bit like, not too sure. I started watching him a bit more and I'm like, yeah, I just wasn't watching him, bro. He's good. He's good. He's got a lot about him that I like. That's what would say.
00:24:46
Speaker
Not just because he's linked to your United. right There's bare men that get linked to United that I'm not on it. Do not touch Tonali, bro. Don't keep him over there, bro. There's bare men who I'm not like... Well, yeah... um Yeah, so so I think agree you for the most part with your midfielders. The only one that a bit iffy on is Alex Scott. But again, that's another thing of like, I i don't watch more than that. I also had Wharton there as well, yeah um which is just a good deep-lying playmaker. So yeah I think it's a real good blend with those with those five. my One of my concerns would probably be...
00:25:26
Speaker
Just if you lose Declan, that would be my concern. I think that would be the same with whatever wherever England squad you you you select.
00:25:37
Speaker
But i think I think even if you lose Declan, you can kind of subsidise what he brings anyway. what What you're losing when you lose Declan, you're losing legs, you're losing the combattiveness and that sort of thing. But
Who Will Be the Player of the Tournament?
00:25:50
Speaker
a lot of the talk around Elliot Anderson, that's where he's been thriving. So...
00:25:56
Speaker
If you lose Rice and you still have Anderson, you can put a passer next to Anderson. And then it kind of like, you're you're still able to get what you miss from that having Rice. But I think from what it looks like, it looks like it's Rice and Anderson starting.
00:26:11
Speaker
So yeah thats word that's where it's a bit tricky. Because if that actually doesn't work, we don't have a substitute for Ivo. Like no one knows who's coming on the planes even doing what Ivo or Dempsey are doing.
00:26:22
Speaker
But then don't you think don't you think Anderson's strengths are in possession rather than out possession? he's That's the thing. He's a bit of an all-action player. like In possession, he's comfy, receiving the ball off the defenders. he's not He's not pressure resistant. I wouldn't say that's his thing,
American Sports Commentary: Is It Too Commercial?
00:26:40
Speaker
but he's very he's very smart in what he does. If he knows he has to pop it off, he'll pop it off. If he feels like he can turn this man, he'll turn him. He can carry the ball.
00:26:49
Speaker
Even off the ball, those things... he's not a slouch. Like, he he gets in Like, all those metrics that you use to judge how combative a player is, he's top of everything right now.
00:27:01
Speaker
Tackles, Bulls 1, Jules, all of that. He's number one in all of those stats. obviously, he plays for Non-Enferences, so he doesn't really have much of the ball. So, it's, yeah it depends on how you want to weigh it up. But,
00:27:17
Speaker
I get that. I would think a midfield pairing of Kobe and Anderson or Waterloo and Anderson, I would think they're a little bit lightweight, but I get what you mean. For me, personally, I wouldn't even start Rice and Anderson. I don't like that, personally. Me, personally, I don't like that. But it would be one or the other for me. But... Yeah, my midfield, I only have four actual six slash eights sort of thing. So it's everyone you've named, basically. Rice, Wharton, Anderson, Cobby. That would be it for me. I haven't watched Alex Scott enough. I wouldn't take him.
00:27:57
Speaker
it's how It's hard for me to say. Obviously, there's other names that have been floated around for midfield. Bro, Jordan Henderson's floating around the the England set-up. Bro, I don't like it. I don't like at all.
00:28:10
Speaker
I don't like it. I get experience is important, but there is enough players that in that squad that have played the World Cup, that have played the Euros. Like, come on, guys.
00:28:22
Speaker
yeah Okay, cool. take Take a Maguire. I feel like Maguire would have more usage and would contribute more to the team. This... to be fair, Henderson's done alright for Brentford, but this version of Henderson, I just, on the pitch, I just don't think... Any version of Henderson, man, let's let's keep a buck, man. The only thing that was getting him in the set-up last time because he played for Liverpool and Liverpool were winning. Henderson's not a good midfielder.
00:28:49
Speaker
And this is the issue of England. When it comes to making these decisions, we start doing this too much intangible stuff like, oh, he's good around the camp. Everyone likes him. Oh, he's a good leader. Bro, listen, like, come on. At the end of the day, when the game's go in games getting tough, I do not want you to see Jordan Henderson for the last 10 minutes of a game against flipping...
00:29:10
Speaker
I don't even know. Who's in England's group? Garner against Garner. I don't want to see that. I don't want to that, bro. Let's keep it up. Even though I am Ghanaian and I do want to see that. But for my England hat on, I don't want to see that, bro. Let's just...
00:29:25
Speaker
we have to start moving away from these narratives and actually start playing in the footballers. Play the people who are comfortable on the ball. When it starts getting tough, not the man that are going to hide and just kick it long. The guys who are going to... Give me the damn ball.
00:29:37
Speaker
Give me the ball. Let's stop this. Let's stop this nonsense. But yeah, that would be... That's my four. I think I've got... Looking at my team, I think I've got way too many forwards, but...
00:29:48
Speaker
I don't know, man. i thought I just feel like that's where the match winners are. That's where the match winners are. True. True. We've got to have options there. And look, they're the high-intensity sprinters. They're the ones that are most likely to get injured. So it's always good to have loads loads of people. Let's focus on the strikers first.
00:30:07
Speaker
Oh, you want to do the strikers first? Just because it's pretty much self-explanatory, those ones. I don't think so, you know. I think it's kind of up in the air with the strikers, bro. We know one son. Yeah, one son. The rest really, like Kane hasn't got injured in like five years, bro. Yeah, that Bayern Munich, the rest really.
00:30:28
Speaker
Them Brockwurst and all that, bro. They're treating them right. All of that shit. All of that. They're treating them right, bro. He looks all right now. They're even talking about Ballon d'Or shouts. so for So for me, I went with um the other options as... So Kane obviously starting.
00:30:48
Speaker
Then um I believe I went with Watkins and Solanke. Or I dropped Watkins and I just picked Solanke. I didn't want to take three strikers. Yeah, that that's what that's what I'm saying. That's what I think about this swing. I don't... not none ah None of the England strikers have really like even made a case for anything, bro. now Watkins has been rubbish this year Tony's in Saudi no one's watching Saudi bro let's keep honest man that and then Solanke's been injured the whole season but he is probably like one of the better ones I would say I have Solanke too And then after that, you're looking at people like um Danny Welbeck, Calvert-Lewin. It's a bit nasty right now when you look at the strikers. I can't lie to you, bro.
00:31:40
Speaker
The criticism I'm facing for selecting Colwell and Chalabarh Man said Danny Welbeck. Bro, no, I'm just saying, that's the England options, bro. I'm saying, if no if I was to take free strikers... wait, let me land. let me learn I'm not going to hide. i'm not gonna ahead no I know what I said, bro. There's evidence, bro.
00:32:02
Speaker
like ah Me personally, I said would take Kane. And I said that I would take Solanke because that's recency bias. I caught a little bit of England's game against... Uruguay. I caught it. He looked at you. Hey, Solanke looked alright. He was bopping a bit. I'm not even going to lie. He looked decent. I'm like, cool. I'll take Solanke. And then I also said Wolbeck because because it's not it's not even an experience thing. I just, if you just need someone to do hold up playing that sort of stuff, link up playing, cool. I'll bring him for that. That's it. Poach, poach of stuff is ah is the last couple of minutes you need, you need someone to nick him with goals and stuff. And then that's why also I also have like Trent and all them, man. Like, it's,
00:32:40
Speaker
at the at some point in this tournament, England are going to have to bombard the other a team. And there's going to be bulls dropping to random people. Obviously, people like Jude, they do that anyway. But I'm just saying, that if we are going to end up taking three strikers, I'd rather take Wolbeck over Calvert-Lewin. And then ah ah Watkins...
00:33:02
Speaker
Maybe, maybe, but he's just been rubbish this year. That's something I would say. So, I'm not fighting in Wolbeck's corner, but I had him on my list. That's all I'm saying. I'm just making sure hypocrisy is... Hey, listen, man. I stand by what I say, man. I stand by what say.
00:33:23
Speaker
All right, so moving on to I'm going to leave the number because I think there's a big discussion between number 10s. So let's go with the wingers. So who were your wingers?
00:33:37
Speaker
So right wing, have Saka. And then I also have Bowen. That's my right wing. And then left wing, Anthony Gordon, Rashford. Those are my... I'm taking four wingers.
00:33:49
Speaker
Obviously, there's other people who can play, like, art can kind of play out wide. jav i don't want to mention the other guys, but because we're going get into them later, because that's they're like 10s slash 8s and all that kind of stuff. So I don't even want to mention them. But yeah, for me, Saka's starting. Me personally, this second version of Saka that we have now concerns me. He doesn't do enough for me.
00:34:15
Speaker
But I don't know if that's an Arsenal thing or is Saka really actually cooked. If Saka's really actually cooked, we've got a problem on the right-hand side. Because then I start looking at people like Maduweke, then that's an issue.
00:34:27
Speaker
But Saka's going. Saka's going to go. But it's more like who's going to... If Saka's going to be serving up at Arsenal... Brother, you might just have to bring Maduweke.
00:34:41
Speaker
So hence head's why I've actually gone with Maduweke and Zaka. I've gone with five wingers, just because I think we need the extra options at wingers. And then we also have two wingers who could play up top. So for example, Gordon and Bowen, who could do a job up top, be a bit more fluid running behind. So that's why i went for Bowen, Madureka and Saka on the right, and then Gordon and Rashford on the left. Even Rashford and Gordon have played up front as well. Everyone's played up front at some point. Exactly. So it's ah it's a nice, for me,
00:35:16
Speaker
It's a nicequad of um a nice group of secondary goal scorers, people who are regularly for their clubs getting 10 plus goals. um So it's good. You've got a good mixture of ball to feet running behind sort of players. So I like that they're direct wingers. I think ah think it will bode well to England style and chances.
00:35:43
Speaker
no Speaking on the left-hand side, to those that say Rashford shouldn't be there, what do you say? I say watch football.
00:35:58
Speaker
That's all I'm saying. and like people What it is is people have agendas against certain players. Not to say, oh, if you don't rate Rashford, it means you have an agenda against them. No. There's obvious things that Rashford is actually good at, bro. He's probably England's...
00:36:13
Speaker
Best 1v1 job, bro. How many England players can stand someone up and just go past them, bro? We don't really have that that much. He's got a good shot on him.
00:36:26
Speaker
He's a decent-ish finisher. he's got a des december but He's been actually doing all right this season for Barcelona as well. So it's not like it's that hard it's just his name that's carrying him. No, he's he's actually been all right. like he's He hasn't been bad for England. And when I watch him, it looks like something's got to happen every time he gets the ball. You want those type of players around. And if Kane wants to do is drop deep thing that he used to do before and play balls in behind, bro, Rashford was eating off that United for how many years, bro? Like, come on. I understand people don't want to rape people because of whatever reason.
00:37:00
Speaker
But if you're actually watching play football, there's not many people that have that skill set England set up. ah That's what I'd say. So, is that for me? public Probably. I think i think he's going to start as well.
00:37:12
Speaker
That's the thing that's going to annoy a few people as well. I think he's starting. Because I don't care what people say. Bro, Anthony Gordon is not better than Marcus Rashford. He's never been better than him. He hasn't. Sorry.
00:37:25
Speaker
Rashford's available for 25 million for Barcelona. And people are just think, oh, that means he's rubbish now. No, like, there's bare stuff that happens behind behind the scenes. as best We've seen the whole thing play out. So... Let's not be saying that. mean, look, at the end of the day, Barcelona won him, so... Even if they don't, I'll take him back at United.
00:37:44
Speaker
You think I give a heck? Bro, that's at least... the but ah It's not the United show, man. I'll take him back. it's it's a bit It's a bit tricky because even for me, obviously we're talking about the left-hand side now.
00:38:00
Speaker
I'm thinking about other options that we potentially missed. And the only other person I can think of is what, Harvey Barnes? You're taking Harvey Barnes? I like him a bit, but no, not for me. Is this Newcastle? that i Yeah, yeah, yeah. Between in Barnes and... but and That's what saying. Like, come on, that's not... Come on, man. Let's be serious, man.
00:38:20
Speaker
Like you said, I do like Harvey Barnes, by the way. I do like him. And then the other option is Morgan Rodgers.
00:38:28
Speaker
Don't want Morgan Rodgers on the left. not Not for me, man. Not for me. Not for me. I mean, I don't i don't want... i I personally don't want Morgan Rodgers there at all. didn't pick him. I didn't pick him.
00:38:40
Speaker
Moving to our selections for the number 10 role for England. Assuming that we're playing a 4-2-3-1. I have gone with Cole Palmer and...
00:38:55
Speaker
Who else did I go with? Who did say? You said Cole Palmer. Cole Palmer. Now, ah let me finish. Actually, let me finish my selection before I start talking about Cole Palmer. Then
00:39:10
Speaker
I initially so selected Bellingham, but did I change it? I feel like changed it. I don't have my phone anymore. Yeah, I've got your list here. You've got... No, you've got him.
00:39:24
Speaker
now you've got you've got you've got i mean the and you got better them Okay. i'll i'll put I'll put an asterisk next to Bellingham. And yeah, if he if he doesn't start playing until the end of the season, I'm going to go with Eze.
00:39:38
Speaker
But for now, it'll be Bellingham and Cole Palmer. And I think it's two personalities that are needed in the England squad. Well, the guys, I think that the guys, they think that... Facts. Just give me the ball, bro. Like, what are we doing? The guys...
00:39:55
Speaker
The guys that won't be phased by the occasion, the guys that will just do what they want, the guys that will just, if they're losing, they're going to take the game with a scoffer and mx slap it in the top corner, win a header in the box, you know get on the end of a chance, create something for somebody. that That's what I mean. And it's not to say that England don't have...
00:40:18
Speaker
any of these guys but you know there's a difference there's a difference these guys have the cockiness to go with their their talent um so and i think it's a really important addition to the squad um so i'm gonna go with those guys and i think morgan rogers has had great moments this year it's just as as as i said previously i just don't think he has I ah don't think he stays in games long enough to impress me.
00:40:49
Speaker
I don't think he has a ah large enough influence in the game throughout the 90 minutes. Yeah, and I think for me, the issue of why I didn't take Morgan Rodgers is, for me, he's someone who thrives in a lot of open space.
00:41:03
Speaker
And in international football, you don't really get that. And him in central areas, I don't want him getting the ball in tight spaces and having to do all those little intricate stuff because that's not his game. That's not his game at all.
00:41:16
Speaker
It's kind of like waste. You'll see him struggling. on Morgan Rodgers is not in the game. And also as well, there's an underrated thing within football of like... players, your teammates knowing your capabilities. If I know that Morgan Rodgers does not like the ball in that area, I'm not giving it to him. So then going to just essentially have a a hole in in your team.
00:41:37
Speaker
he's He's not going to want end the tight spaces. He's just going to end up drifting out wide take clogging up space for the wingers who are already there and then it's just going to be a big game no one's in the center of the park so for me that's it I've gone for Palmer and Bellinem as well that's my two and Bellinem also has the same caveats that you pointed out in if he's playing this season, he should go.
00:42:04
Speaker
a lot of the talk around England is he should go anyway, but Tuchel isn't functioning like that. he He doesn't. I don't know if he's even really picked Bellingham like that for his recent set-ups. He hasn't because hasn't been fit. No, he hasn't. So I've been making plans for my team and you're not there and what, you want me to, oh, I'm fit now. Like, you're just going to come in? Nah, that's not how he's going to function at all.
00:42:27
Speaker
I don't think he's going, bro, because this is the last international um international before the 2026 World Cup.
00:42:38
Speaker
And he hasn't called up Bellino. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. It's a big statement. But then also, it's like you mentioned earlier when were talking about defenders, that this looks like a selection of people who have been on the fringes to give them like one last opportunity to impress.
00:42:56
Speaker
So maybe in his head, he already knows. And he Yeah, that's the thing. Since he's been there, he hasn't seen Bellino. Maybe once or twice. The thing is as well, we have a different perception of England's talent to what's on the big stage as well.
00:43:17
Speaker
Jude Benningham in this country is were regarded as close to being like top 10 players in the world. That's how this country sees him. For me personally, no. But if Jude doesn't get taken... that's going to be a big media storm.
00:43:32
Speaker
How can you take the get the English man who's playing for Real Madrid, not take the English man who's playing for Real Madrid, won Champions League, won the league title, scored X amount, that's what the talk's going to be. But the thing is for me, the reason why I'm taking Jude is all those, I'm just thinking about different phases of the game.
00:43:51
Speaker
Those last 10, 15 minutes of the game where we need to nick a goal and we just need bodies in the box. You need Jude in it. Bro, what was it? Slovakia or Slovenia? He scores a bicycle kick, bro. like That's just like... Bro, England would have been out way before. That's that's just... You need game breakers. You need guys that are going to just like... I'm going to do something that no one else is willing to do.
00:44:15
Speaker
That's why I'll take him. Obviously, we haven't mentioned people like Phil Folden. haven't even mentioned him. For me personally, I think he doesn't have a right to claim a spot in the England camp.
00:44:33
Speaker
Based on his performances for England in the last two tournaments... And also, he's on the fringes at Man City. we We can't do the Golden Boy thing. They also called him, faster calling him Gaza, the next ga Gaza and all of this, blah, blah, blah. He's the next. night bro, listen.
00:44:51
Speaker
It's showtime. They said he's on the same... I think, who is it? Somebody said, somebody, an ex-player, a big ex-player said he's more talented than Rooney.
00:45:05
Speaker
Yeah, that that's what I'm saying. This country does that, isn't it? Like, we just put people in places. he's He's a good player. He's a good player. He's nowhere near Rooney, bro. I know Rooney was having dinner with his family and he he just chipped his shoulder. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He was like, what was What was that? Me? What was that?
00:45:27
Speaker
me Yeah, because i think what it is with Foden, at youth level, he looked unbelievable. He looked like far and out the best player in it at that age group. that age group but then i know But then this is what I'm this is what i'm saying though, though.
00:45:49
Speaker
I think... Those that have watched, especially in the media, in ex-players and media, because they' are they're obviously on the ground more. So they probably see more youth games. They hear more things. They see more footage of these players. They have access to more things. yeah So like they can't get that image of Foden out of their head.
00:46:09
Speaker
no They're still thinking about that Foden, the one that burst on the scene, the one that you know um did what he did his thing. And don't get me wrong, you know he did he did score 17 goals in a season and lead you know pushing and leading. He did not lead him.
00:46:23
Speaker
not leading, but pushing City to the league. Like, cool. But that look at what you see. Right now, you see a low-confidence Fodun, a Fodun that's incapable of grabbing the game by the scuff of the neck, a Fodun that's incapable of leading the struggling City side.
00:46:42
Speaker
Whereas players who have played for poor sides previously, like Parma, like Bellingham, who have led, Bellingham led a championship side at 17 years old. What are we talking about?
00:46:55
Speaker
And then also went to Roma, joined them and they led them. Led him and Vinny, two-man stepped a Champions League. I mean, yeah playing playing false nine or shadow striker. Wherever he needed to be, he played.
00:47:08
Speaker
You've got Palmer, who hadn't started many games at all at 21, just walked into Chelsea said, hey, you man, this is me. I got it. Yeah. Club World Cup final against the best team in the world.
00:47:20
Speaker
Gave them two. Gave them two, said, hold that. Don't get me wrong. This season, he hasn't been great. not but No, he's not. But at the same time... My point is, I'm taking that risk and I'm taking mine.
00:47:32
Speaker
Because... I know what levels he can reach. um And I know that he won't be phased by the occasion. Whereas I've got too many ever too much evidence of Foden being phased by the occasion. Yeah, 100%. I.e. Southgate playing him non-stop. Well, I was playing him left wing, right wing, tried playing 10. Just wanted him to get the game off. And then it it wasn't working. it wasn't. It wasn't working.
00:47:58
Speaker
And I need England to start doing the things that work. yeah So for me, it doesn't even have to be Palmer. It doesn't have to be Bellingham. I don't care. actually don't care.
00:48:10
Speaker
Yeah? But it has to be something that makes sense. yeah It has to be players in their best position. Even if it doesn't make sense, have the opportunity to change. make a change, make an adjustment. If you're if you're doing the palm... Oh, yeah, of course. like Oh, yeah, of course. You need someone else, something else. So change. It's seven games to win the tournament. We ain't got time to be to be persisting with somebody that ain't working.
00:48:34
Speaker
What? Honestly, that was... um You have to play... that was You have to be informed to play. That's that's what it is. Yeah. you know that That was the most... in Probably one of the most infuriating tournaments I've watched of England.
00:48:48
Speaker
And somehow they still made it to the finals. And the the thing is about that as well is people look at and say, well, Southgate made the right decision. He got us to a final, so who who cares? But the performance we served up in both finals, in the Italy final and in the Spain final, that's indicative of you not trusting the other players that actually better.
00:49:09
Speaker
Like, if you took some apart of the Folden's minutes out and gave it to Palmer, maybe Palmer has better games earlier on, so then you start him in the final. You're not bringing them off the bench, even though you scored.
00:49:21
Speaker
Like that sort of thing is, it's is all this sort of stuff within the squad. And when you talk about squad chemistry, that's such a big, big thing that England, the media loves to talk about. Yeah. If I could see that guy is pooing his pants and he is not doing anything on the pitch and I can't get a minute, I'm vexed.
00:49:40
Speaker
I'm vexed. Now vexed. Everyone else is vexed too. Because why is he being the goal? Everyone else has to fight for every minute they play. And him, he's able to be rubbish, probably dye his hair blonde. And then everyone's giving him nicknames and all this and blah, blah, blah. I can't even go to A-star barbers and go get go get a trim without the media saying something about my mum. And you're talking about this, bro.
00:50:01
Speaker
Now it, man. Get him off the pitch, man. Send him back home, bro. Like, Like, no. They called him Gazza and he... Died his head blonde. His daddy says blonde to lean into it more and then proceeded to stink, bro.
00:50:18
Speaker
Then he died it back to being black for the World Cup and then stunk again. Stunk again. on, man. Look, Foden needs to get back into a team that he can play regularly at.
00:50:33
Speaker
I don't think that's going to be City anymore. And he needs to go and Just have a long look, ah hard look in the mirror and just, to ask himself what he wants to be.
00:50:45
Speaker
And obviously he's incredibly successful, incredibly talented. you know he's got you know He's done way more in his life than I've been able to do at football in any level. So i'm not I'm not questioning that.
00:50:57
Speaker
I'm just talking about his ability to now push on to the next stage. But the thing is, as well is i does that need him to now leave City and go and play regularly and be the main guy for a team?
00:51:12
Speaker
But the thing is with that kind of stuff, I think that's a lot of pressure that us as outsiders put onto him. This is what you should be thinking. But really, Foden might just be cool with where he is because, like you said, you mentioned Palma.
00:51:26
Speaker
Man went to Pep and said, i want to go on loan. Pep said, we don't do loan. Xavi, you're staying and you're going. said, bye. Man left Pep Guardiola where he could have easily just bummed a few Champions leagues League titles and he said, I'm going to go get out of the mud myself. I don't care. Like...
00:51:42
Speaker
that's the mentality that you need to have from early. Phil Foden is more along the lines of like, not that he's happy to be there, but he he's with Pep. He's winning. Remember that one time when the media was getting on to him and then then he just posted a picture of everything he's won.
00:51:57
Speaker
And it's like, what, four he's won four league titles already. He's won the Champions League. He's won however many league cups. Like, ca bro, he's got everything. He's got a PFA. He's got a young PFA. He's got everything already.
00:52:09
Speaker
So now it's like, okay, what does it look like for you to become the the next stage? Because his reputation on the world stage isn't that of, oh, Barca are going to come grab him.
00:52:20
Speaker
Madrid are going to come grab him. He's not of that... he's I don't think Bayern would even want him. PSG wouldn't want him. So what? He's already had one of the best teams in England. So where where do you go? You go down to back up? You go to Newcastle to try and be the main man? You try like you don't do that, would you? I wouldn't. wouldn't. I wouldn't. I wouldn't.
00:52:41
Speaker
So there you have it. That's our team. um and Oh, sorry. I forgot. we didn't We didn't mention... There's one other 10 that we didn't mention. Eze...
00:52:55
Speaker
ah e a We didn't mention him. Why didn't you pick him? He just hasn't played enough. He hasn't played enough. Like, he's... And look, yeah, okay, I can say the same thing about Cole Palmer.
00:53:11
Speaker
Cool. Yeah. But... Cole Palmer has a record of doing it at a big big club, at big moments, scoring in the US final. Eze has got the FA Cup final, but he hasn't got the body of work.
00:53:25
Speaker
yeah yeah Even at Palace, Eze was injured quite a lot. Does that change if he plays a key role in Arsenal winning the league going towards the end of the season?
00:53:40
Speaker
Yeah, with the hype, yeah, probably. With the hype? I personally. Yeah, with hype, yeah, bro. Because at the end of the day, what you said was right. We need players who are in form. Yeah? On form.
00:53:52
Speaker
Ready to ready to go ready to keep you know continue their their form and put it into international games. And I i think i personally think Eze is really good.
00:54:03
Speaker
um I just don't think his Arsenal career has gone off to the best start, which happens to a lot of people when moving to a new club, new philosophy. It's nothing new. yeah um I just don't think the timing is right.
00:54:18
Speaker
And there are other players that we could prioritize um to you know to get what we need out of this tournament. And an alternative to, you know, using a 10 is to just go into a flat midfield free.
00:54:36
Speaker
And I've already got five midfielders there as an option if we want to be more compact. So we could develop into the tournament and realise don't even need a 10. And you could see Bellino and Palmer on the bench, you know? I think that's going to happen. I think that's going to happen at some point. It may. I wouldn't be surprised. It may really happen. I wouldn't.
00:54:55
Speaker
If you see a Rice, Anderson, Kobe, Mayne, Midfield, wouldn't be surprised. I would not be surprised at all. And that's what I like about Tuchel being the manager.
00:55:06
Speaker
Hey, yo, this guy's done it. He's won the title. Did he win it with Dortmund? I don't know. But he's won Champions League. I don't know. I can't remember.
00:55:18
Speaker
But is is is he's got the rep. He's got the power. They've given him an extra a few more years on his contract now. He's got the power. So if he now says, yo, big man, you two, Bellingham and Palmer, you might have got to hit bench. Them men are hitting bench and they're keeping their mouths stush. Trust me. Yeah? Yeah?
00:55:39
Speaker
So, yeah. Isn't it crazy that all of England's 10s have fallen off at the same time? It's mad. All them are bad. The irony is crazy because after so many years of people saying, it's got to be better than them. It's got to be Foden. Oh, you can't just leave out Palmer. And now, bro, it's like, which one do we take, bro? Do you know what I mean? Which one's performing the least worst? Yeah, that's what it is.
00:56:07
Speaker
So fair that's that's life, you know, and hopefully it adds a little bit of humility to to those that are saying, you know, this player's got to play, this player's got to play.
00:56:18
Speaker
Some of these players aren't as good as we you know you'd like to think. and you know You've got to prioritise the team over the individual players that you think have to go.
00:56:29
Speaker
Go with what's balanced. and That's why I was really pushing a left footed centre-back at left centre-back. A left footed left-back at left-back. no one those you like Maguire at left centre-back makes sense because I know he can play on and on his left when he needs to or even even if he doesn't need to he's got he's got a natural ability to play with his left yeah not a lot of other England centre-backs do so um yeah so we've discussed our team we've given you ah a rough 25-man squad let us know what you think um
00:57:05
Speaker
Let us know what you think. of who If we missed anyone, if we didn't discuss anyone, maybe you think we're being a bit too harsh on anyone. But um I did want ask you a just before we wrap up. what What do you think is actually going to happen in this tournament for England?
00:57:22
Speaker
What's your expectation? England have now been to the Euros final and the World Cup final. Is it about time that England actually win? So I read somewhere, don't know if it's true, I read somewhere that on their route to the final, is France in the semi-final?
00:57:40
Speaker
Not again. I don't know that's for certain. If it is France, they've lost. For me, France are my favourites to win.
00:57:52
Speaker
So if France are their semi-final opponents, they'll get to the semi-final, but that's it. um I think if the draw favours them and they don't meet a France, I don't see, a apart from Spain, I think Spain and France are the teams that I fear for England if they face them.
00:58:13
Speaker
at Any other team, I just don't think England should be losing to any other team. yeah they should I know it's still high expectations or whatever, but it's very high expectations. But I just don't, with this manager, with this cup of players, with the way he has them playing, how compact, how solid, how organized they look.
00:58:41
Speaker
Yeah. And i yeah i just I just don't think Spain, anyone other than Spain and France should not not be knocking this England team out. I think England, you know what's funny? I think England need to play one of the big teams. I think they need to knock one of them out. Every time they come up against one of these bigger nations, bar the one time they played Germany a few competitions back a while. Yeah, another crap Germany.
00:59:10
Speaker
Bro, you can't fool every time you play one of the bigger nations. You have to be one of them at some point. Before it was France. Then you lose to Italy. then now Now you've lost to Spain in the final. so At some point, something has to give. We always it weries have big export expectations of England because we watch the Premier League every weekend. We see these guys all the time. We know they're better than what they perform at.
00:59:36
Speaker
And then when you look at what Southgate was doing, you just you're getting frustrated. You're like ripping your hair out. Like, bro, like what are you doing to this team? So it's really going to be dependent on what Tuchel does. If he comes and adopts a very...
00:59:52
Speaker
logical approach to this and allows enough room for England's best players to get the ball in the dangerous areas, create as many chances as we can and not just wait for a game to come to us and actually put teams to the sword, England might be able to do something. There's always too much room for error in England's approach to...
01:00:14
Speaker
these competitions. It's always too defensive. It's too, it's too, you they play too scared. Then when it comes time, all right, now turn it on. You can't do it because you've been playing with a handbrake on the whole tournament. don't You can't just do that. When you go watch Spain, you think England are asking Laminya Mal to do doggy work.
01:00:32
Speaker
They're not. They're trying to make it as easy for him as possible. When you watch France, Mbappe's standing at the halfway line. He's not doing all that extra stuff, bro. Usman Dembele, all of these, man. That's what you have to come up against.
01:00:45
Speaker
So, yeah. this this This is my thing, though. France are just better. Yeah. They are just better. but I mean, look at the plethora of attacking Talon.
01:00:59
Speaker
A front three of Dembele, Mbappe Alise, bro. Are you crazy? What is going on? Those are three potential Ballon d'Or winners in one team.
01:01:10
Speaker
So like, and that's why I say, as long as they can avoid floods, I think England ah will be okay. Even Spain, and as ah I'm saying in Spain because they've just got a very tactically astute manager and they've got a really strong philosophy that, you know, I just think they're very strong team, cohesive team. But man for man, I don't necessarily think they're better than England. um Whereas and whereass France have got a categorically, almost every single position are better than England, maybe mid-bar midfield.
01:01:43
Speaker
but obviously you've got like the typical guys you've got um argentina still floating about obviously messi's washed now though i'm not gonna say that messi's like hey wouldn't say his but he might have something he might have something i haven't spoken about portugal portugal have got a good squad They've got good squad. Brazil, um'm not really for me, but they've got people who can hurt you.
01:02:12
Speaker
that's what That's the thing. Bro, i'm not I'm not going to say too much here, but every time Declan Rice has come up against Casemiro, Declan Rice has looked like the best midfielder in the team. so I mean, in the game. So...
01:02:26
Speaker
right yeah I don't want to see them come up against a midfield of Casemiro and Bruno Gamores, bro. i don't want to see that. like It might not be nice. It might not be nice. It's peak. It's peak. And then obviously you mentioned France. France has got Turkey. They've got this person. They've got...
01:02:43
Speaker
take off Bro, it's too much. On their second friendly, they played um their second string, yeah? Then, man, it's just not fair, man. Bro, I even forgot they got doing it.
01:02:57
Speaker
Can you give Africa their jewels back? Bro, no, we can't even get into that, bro. I'd love to. you I'd love to get into that, bro. We can't even do that, bro. That's a dark thing about No pun intended.
01:03:11
Speaker
Bro, and then they got Eketiki. They still got um flipping... Douay is still there as well. they They're going to bring Kante. They're going to bring Kante as well. Yeah, they're going to bring Kante. Facts.
01:03:24
Speaker
It's mad, man. It's mad. You have to punch someone in the mouth, bro. Are they your favourites for the World Cup as well? who France. Yeah. I don't know.
01:03:36
Speaker
You know, I'm looking at their midfield now. Obviously, the last team that they picked isn't probably what they're going to go with. I'm not really moved by their midfield too much. It's more the front line. And the defence as well. looking and like... Kanate, who's been stinking. Well, they got Saliba, but who knows if he's going to be fit. But Saliba and Upe Mekano. But they got options, though. I don't like Upe Mekano, but he's been all right this season.
01:04:01
Speaker
um And then midfield, what? two um Chirmeni, Kamavinga, Kante. Like, it's... There's a lot of names, and that's the thing with this France team, there's a lot of names who can, on their day, just create issues for you. So, it's hard to say. I think France my favourite, just because don't like writing off Mbappe, bro. That guy is, he's done it too many times, bro. In that last World Cup final, bro, he might have a Michael Jordan gene kicking in, bro. I took it personal, bro. man standing there with his golden boot like this looking at Messi get Drake in the cloak and all that he's like nah I need to spin the block he's ready so who do you think your player of the tournament is going to be player of the tournament
01:04:52
Speaker
I think because he's actually coming into the tournament with good form as well, i think it might actually be Mbappe. ah think ah i really I really think this is going to be his one. This has got to be his tournament.
01:05:02
Speaker
He's going to score a bunch of goals really early on. Then he's got cruise through, come to the semi-final and final. Yeah. scott star let's not Let's not forget what that what that guy had done in the last... Like, he should have... a He should have he shot two World Cups. He should have two. you should have two World Cups because that... What he did in that final... I won't forget it, bro.
01:05:23
Speaker
I won't forget Nah, man. the volley over the ball over the head the volley happy all right he scored weight he score two pens and then he scored in a penny shoot but no that's i see oh that's great what's that that's what it looks like he stood he stood up to be counted and yeah he put his country on his back it's just when you come up against the best player of all time And then you've got Dembele, who's coming, like my guy, he's coming to, he's coming to, he's a man now. He's a man.
01:05:50
Speaker
Bro. and I'm excited to watch France. Bro, I'm watching every single France game, bro. I don't care. Yeah. I will say this year, obviously I'm Ghanaian, I will be going to work in my Ghana shirt in England versus Ghana. I will.
01:06:05
Speaker
I will. And I'm going to ruin everyone's day if Ghana even take one point from them. I'm going ruin everyone's day. In my last time, when Nigerian ladies faced England in the World Cup, I walked up in my Nigerian top man, letting them know. Yeah, didn't end well we lost, but it is what it is. So my player of the tournament, I believe, is going to be Michael Olisse.
01:06:39
Speaker
So apparently it's not Olisse, apparently it's Olisse. Is he not Alise? Wait, is he not? what What's his background? Is he not Nigerian? French. No, his background background. No, why I say he's Nigerian? He's mixed.
01:06:51
Speaker
No, he's mixing with something. i can't remember. But for me, he's going to be he's gonna be the the player of the tournament. For me, i right now, he's playing at a ridiculous level. And it's going to be the first season in about two to three seasons, where wowa apart from last year, where he stayed fit throughout the whole year and he's just absolutely hooping bro if you so I watched the i actually watched because it's France I watched France's first friendly way he played the touches the touches too easy isn't it it's too easy he knows cold he knows he's cold oh man oh man and we'll talk about England bro all of England's attackers bar Harry Kane is coming into this ring on zero bro
01:07:41
Speaker
And they got three men up front, all ready to crash it on someone. What? Like, they've all got, theyve moved they've all got, in their recent, last two seasons, they've all got 50GA+. Are you crazy? Dark! Dark!
01:08:01
Speaker
Bro, and even Elisa's career path, like, bro, man went from Reading. And then don't know if you remember that text that leaked. I think he was texting a girl. And he was like, oh, I'm going to playing the Prem soon. He's like, I'm going to be the Prem My girl said Crystal Palace does this thing, ends up at Bayern Munich. People like, oh, Bayern Munich? People sure, like, Bayern Munich. I don't know if he's that good.
01:08:23
Speaker
Welp. vgo I'm going to blow my whole own trumpet, yeah? But from them times there, I've been saying man's the best player in the world. I've been saying it.
01:08:34
Speaker
People in the group chat have been telling me, oh, you're overrated and da-da-da-da. He ain't that, that good. He ain't that, that good. I say, bro, this kid is ready to go. The things i was seeing, like forget who he's playing for.
01:08:46
Speaker
Yeah, i've watched it i've watched it I've watched a few games at Reading, but most I watched him at Crystal Palace, as most people did. The things we're seeing, why are we just assuming this guy ain't that good because it's Crystal Palace?
01:08:59
Speaker
The things we're seeing him do on a football pitch. Listen, we saw Dimitri play it, bro. We saw Dimitri Bayern come to West Ham and look like one of the best players in the world, bro. He was smashing. Bro, I saw a comp on the timeline the other day. I was like, I can't believe this guy was at West Ham, bro. This is disgusting. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was ridiculous, man.
01:09:21
Speaker
So, for me, it's just, yeah, it's really it's really good for him to... Chelsea had two opportunities to sign him. Not one, two. Idiots. um So, yeah, fingers crossed.
01:09:34
Speaker
I haven't really got any skin in the game. I don't care who wins, I'll be honest. But I just want to see good football. And want to see USA get thunned 8-0. Oh, God.
01:09:47
Speaker
oh god ah what Listen, one thing I'm not looking forward to with this thing is all the American commentary around the World Cup. It's going to make me sick.
01:09:57
Speaker
If hear Captain America, Christian Pulisic, another time, I'm going to lose it. I'm going to see Stephen A. Smith talk about football like he knows what he's talking about. um Skip Bayless, Shannon Sharp, all of these men that don't know nothing are going to be talking about football because it's in the America. Wait.
The Impact of Advertising on Sports Viewing
01:10:15
Speaker
What is it? Three, four, five minute breaks? and Every time the ball goes up for a throwing, they're going to say an ad. They're going dash an ad in the middle, bro.
01:10:26
Speaker
Is this the NFL, bruv? What's going on? And here comes the next throwing sponsored by Gatorade. That's what they're going to doing. What? That's what they love, bro.
01:10:39
Speaker
VAR sponsored Geico. Guy called Insurance. I'm sorry. Those Americans can't like that coverage that they get for TV. They're used to it, man. Consumerism, bro. That's their life, man.
01:10:55
Speaker
It's too much. It's too much. Anyway, we're going too much into the political c crinking cranking, man. I might say something. The pod might not get the least. End it, end it, end it. I already said something on the line. was on the
Conclusion & Call to Action
01:11:10
Speaker
line. It's too good.
01:11:13
Speaker
yeah Anyway, thanks for listening people. Make sure you like, share, subscribe. Hype us on YouTube. Follow us on all the socials. It's in the description on the YouTube video and in the Spotify description as well. So don't blame the ref on all platforms. But yeah, thank you for listening and peace.
01:11:33
Speaker
Peace.