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England Vs Serbia Preview - What is England's Best XI? Can Tuchel win back the fans?
17 Plays7 days ago
England vs Serbia. Tuchel’s first big test. ⚽
On this episode, Michael Grahamslaw and Iain Mackay ask the big questions:
- Have England been too boring under Tuchel — and does it matter if it wins us a trophy?
- Is Elliott Anderson’s first England call-up proof Newcastle were wrong to sell him?
- And, after five games and 30 players used, what’s actually England’s best XI in 2025?
Grab your headphones for laughs, debates, and proper pre-match build-up ahead of tonight’s qualifier.
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Transcript
Introduction and Episode Context
00:00:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Newcastle podcast.
England vs Serbia: A Critical World Cup Qualifier
00:00:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's Tuesday, September 9th and tonight England face Serbia in a pivotal World Cup qualifier.
00:00:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's Thomas Tuchel's first test as England manager, although he'll probably wish otherwise given the recent performances. ah But before we get into that, I want to introduce who is joining me this evening. Obviously, I am Mike Grimsleur and I am joined, as I always am, by Ian Mackay. How's it going, my friend?
00:00:44
Iain
I am going great, Michael. I have already warned you that you need to be a little bit more interesting than normal because I'm doing the podcast lying down um with me leapt up on my knee.
Zencastr for Podcasting
00:00:56
Iain
I tell you what, Zencaster is so versatile.
00:00:58
Iain
You don't need any fancy studios. You just need a little bit of peace and quiet. There you go. You don't have to do the advert now. I've done it.
00:01:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, absolutely. It's going one of those. I'll try and be entertaining. Zencast is going to get two plugs in a single episode. Hopefully that means double coming in. Probably not, though.
England's Performance Under Tuchel
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yes, so far, England under Thomas Tuchel have been comfortable in qualifying.
00:01:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
But performances, for me, haven't really inspired confidence. 8 goals scored, non-conceded, But the truth in that is they've only had one shot on target against them.
00:01:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that was a 25-yard strike against Latvia, which was quite tame. But Ian, how are you feeling about England's qualifiers? Have you been impressed at all? Or it been a bit of a snooze fest for you?
00:01:48
Iain
Michael, I've been bored. mean, I got quite excited when Lee Carsley took over and we seemed to be really going for it.
00:01:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thumbs it up well.
00:01:57
Iain
um He got something badly wrong, didn't he? And there and then wanted to go back to the under-21s.
00:02:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:02:03
Iain
A decision vindicated by winning the Euros. But um I was expecting a lot more from Tuchel.
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
absolutely
00:02:10
Iain
He came with big promises and quite frankly, I know it's a perfect record. um So far, he's Hold the pants off me, Michael.
00:02:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm not surprised, to
Defeat to Senegal and Implications
00:02:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
be honest. and in And amongst all those qualifiers, there was also the 3-1 defeat at home to Senegal, which I believe was the first time an African country had won at Wembley, which is an absolutely abysmal stat to start off with for Thomas Tuchel.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And to be honest, I completely agree. it's It's one of those where you look at England and you think, right, you should be putting five, six past the likes of Andorra.
00:02:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you don't do it in the first game, you've got a second chance at doing it. But England, well, eight goals and four games, well, five games, should I say? ah no, that'll be the four games, sorry.
00:03:01
Iain
pocket
00:03:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Eight goals and four games against Utter Dross.
00:03:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So, yeah, that's that's not confident at all. It's almost Steve McLaren-esque. um um And funny I mention that because I've seen people online saying that if England lose tonight against Serbia, that they might struggle to qualify.
00:03:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Is that something you're particularly worried about, Ian? Because Serbia are a good side.
00:03:28
Iain
So if you are a good side, um But with that, it's one of the games we've already won at Wembley. I can't remember, you see. um I'm so disengaged by this England side, which is the reverse of what it was like last year.
Team Strategy and Player Impact
00:03:43
Iain
ah can't even remember who we played.
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:03:44
Iain
know we played Andorra twice. We must have played Latvia because you mentioned them.
00:03:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Latvia and Albania. Yeah. 100%.
00:03:49
Iain
Albania, right. So and I think this is this is the toughest game that they face on paper away in Serbia.
00:03:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
hundred
00:04:00
Iain
And do you think we won't qualify? Well, I don't think that would be the case because we've got Serbia at home at some point. And then and nothing else nothing else to hurt us, really.
00:04:13
Iain
I mean, a Albania, maybe? No, I'm not worried about us not qualifying.
00:04:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Albania away the final game.
00:04:18
Iain
there' There's going to be a playoff anyway, even if we don't finish top of the group. So, yeah. But I mean, no, we'll qualify all right. We'll be...
00:04:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think
00:04:29
Iain
We'll grind out the results that we need to grind out. But I'm hoping that this game tonight is worth watching.
Key Matchups and Game Predictions
00:04:37
Iain
Decent opposition might just galvanise the yeah ah putting edge of the of the England team to actually know they have to play half well to get through it.
00:04:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. I think when you look at it, Serbia have already drawn in Albania, so they'll feel like realistically they need to get something against England on home turf. That draw against Albania, 0-0. Serbia are in a bit of a similar position to England. Four goals scored, non-conceded, so someone's O hopefully will go.
00:05:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It doesn't have to. um But some also might remember that England and Serbia faced off in the opener of the 2024 European Championships,
00:05:10
Iain
hey people
00:05:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that was arguably one of the worst games I've ever seen.
00:05:21
Iain
people
00:05:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bellingham scored the the header in the first, I think it was 10 minutes. And then the tournament basically went to sleep. Was woken up by other teams, but England and Serbia weren't quite there.
00:05:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But... We do see that back line for England. It is likely to be, I would say, Mark Gay and Dan Byrne at the back again, um simply because that's the centre-back partnership that Tuchel seems to like. Kansa might be in there as well, um but it'll definitely be two of those three.
00:05:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But when you look at Serbia's attacking options, Vlahovic, Mitrovic, just two. Could it really be a case of Serbia potentially getting the win? Because, as I said, they're a very strong side up front.
00:06:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if England play like they did against Senegal, we could be in real trouble.
00:06:13
Iain
This might end up proving a blessing though, Michael. and There should be no room for any complacency because Tuttle will just have to play the video of that game back.
00:06:25
Iain
But the thought of Dan Byrne marking Mitro is mouth-watering.
00:06:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:06:31
Iain
imagine they'll both be wincing as they get into their hot baths afterwards.
00:06:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's going to be a real physical battle, which is realistically what you love to see. And then at the back as well, we'll have Harry Kane against Nottingham Forest's Nikola Milenkovic.
00:06:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Another one of those sort of match-ups that you makes you think, right, there's There's going to be something good going on here. um But Serbia are on paper. They've got a number of Premier League stars.
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But one thing I'm sort of longing for is a prediction from you. What do you think the score will be? And do you think we will finally see goals from England?
00:07:12
Iain
season
00:07:14
Iain
No. wouldn't be I wouldn't be surprised if it was another goalless draw.
00:07:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:07:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I hate to agree, but yeah.
00:07:21
Iain
I think it'll be that. Or we will score and it'll be a horrible game. There always are these things.
00:07:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, particularly in Belgrade, to be fair.
00:07:32
Iain
um i'm not I know I'm not selling it. I'm previewing it to get everyone to watch. But I just think they might cancel each other out. i think it'll be ah and I think it'll be a gritty physical game.
00:07:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:45
Iain
get ah If you get a card-happy referee who ends up sending a couple of players off and open the pitch up, then we might get some goals in the last half an hour. But, you see, i know we're going to talk about this later on.
00:07:57
Iain
For me, all of England's ace cards aren't playing. We've got some horrible injuries at the minute.
00:08:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%.
Impact of Injuries on England's Squad
00:08:05
Iain
The sort of players that you turn to for opening a Tough defense. We haven't got a lot of them in the in the squad.
00:08:12
Iain
um So I think that's partly what's blunting our attack.
00:08:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah hundred percent
00:08:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. The last game, Bellingham wasn't didn't play at all. um Phil Foden isn't in the squad. Jarrett Bowen didn't play. Mikai Osaka, Cole Palmer, even Connor Gallagher to an extent. And that's also, I forgot about Trent Alexander-Arnold.
00:08:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
So just there, a number of players that could break down a defence. But from the Newcastle side... Dan Byrne has been one of the players that's got the most amount of minutes under Thomas Tuchel, but two players that have actually struggled for minutes has been Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento.
00:08:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Do you see particularly Tino getting more minutes ah before the start of the World Cup?
00:08:56
Iain
not
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because Tino's been fantastic at the start of this year, and while Gordon hasn't been great, he is one of England's best wingers.
00:08:57
Iain
oh
00:09:05
Iain
I would love to see it, but I can't see it. I think Tino is excellent, and that's why he's there as Rhys James' understudy. But Tuchel had Rhys James play for him 80, 85 times when he was manager at Chelsea.
00:09:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
i's see Yeah, knows what to works expect.
00:09:20
Iain
So he trusts him. It was his captain at Chelsea, wasn't it? So I think Rhys James has got the number two slot.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. 100%.
00:09:26
Iain
and And Tino will come on for the last 20, 25 minutes, and there'll be no drop-off in performance, which is probably what he wants.
00:09:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
and so
00:09:35
Iain
Rhys James a bit hampered throughout his career by injuries, of course. So if one of those flares up, we might see ah some starts for Tino and he can make that number two shirt his own.
00:09:47
Iain
But I think at the minute, while Tuchel's manager, Rhys James is first choice and will stay first choice. he's got He's got years of trust built up with him.
Boring Football vs Winning Tournaments
00:09:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. And even though that is probably the more boring decision, well, boring, boring England is something we're starting to hear a lot more. But that leads me to my final question of part one.
00:10:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if it meant finally winning a tournament for England first time since 1966, Bobby Moore and that... Would you take watching the un-entertainers under Thomas Tuchel for the next four years, well, let's say five years, if it meant England won the next, well, and let's say England won a tournament?
00:10:33
Iain
oh That's a very hypothetical question, Michael, because with the personnel that they have the personnel that they have, I don't think that they can continue to be as blunt, certainly when one or two of those injured players come back.
00:10:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's why I'm here.
00:10:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%.
00:10:51
Iain
um But, yeah, I mean, I'd sit and watch whatever I had to watch if England were going to win a tournament. You know, I was too young. Even I was too young. to remember England winning in 1966. I was alive.
00:11:04
Iain
don't think anybody else on the pod was, but I can't remember it.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:11:07
Iain
I was only three. And i'd i'd love I've watched a lot of terrible England sides or good England sides getting nowhere ah in the intervening years.
00:11:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:11:17
Iain
So, yeah, I want to see them win a tournament or two.
00:11:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. And that I think that's the more frustrating thing than anything else, particularly under Southgate in recent years. we've We've had such a good 11. And some of the players that have come off the bench and you know in finals, Cole Palmer, Olly Watkins, etc., you're looking at it and going, these are great players.
00:11:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But they've just not managed to get over the line. And, well, everyone remembers the 2000s where that England team that should have won it all never got close. ah But I do agree.
00:11:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think if it if it meant watching terrible football for a full tournament, I'd happily take it to see we win it. We nearly did last time out, to be fair, if it wasn't for Spain's wonder squad.
00:11:57
Iain
Thank you.
00:11:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But yeah, that's pretty much all from the first part. Let us know your thoughts.
Elliot Anderson's Role and Transfer Debate
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Would you take boring football for the next five years if it meant England finally winning a major tournament?
00:12:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Think about it. Well, we'll give you Bayonique.
00:12:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:12:28
Iain
all have the problems. We all have the
00:12:42
Iain
problems. We all have the problems. We all have the problems. We all have the problems.
00:12:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do have to say, Thomas Tuchel has took a bit of a battering in that first part, ah but he will come out of this podcast with a little bit of credit, however. He has given a number of players, who I think will be England's next generation, call-ups, including former Newcastle United midfielder, Elliot Anderson.
00:13:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now Ian, how do you feel about the Geordie Maradona getting his first call-up for England?
00:13:18
Iain
I was delighted to see it. I think he's got his chance because of the injuries. thank you
00:13:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:13:25
Iain
But I think also there are other players who've got it into Tuchel's squad ahead of him who I wouldn't put it ahead of him. I'm a big fan, unlike Kevin, who thinks he's a good player but overrated, always been overrated by the Newcastle lads.
00:13:43
Iain
ah That's because he's excellent. He's still such a young fella. And he is very, very good. And we at see could see that the development that got crammed into him. And he's just one season at Nottingham Forest.
00:13:56
Iain
So that he's an international man.
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:59
Iain
I'm only hopeful, I'm hoping that it's not the sort of move that Lewis Miley needs to make to be able to get into the England side. we've got to We've got to use our young kids.
00:14:10
Iain
um And I think if we had Anderson, unlike Kev, I think he would have come into the team instead Jolinton when Jolinton was injured. And Jolinton would have to work really, really hard to have dislodged him.
00:14:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's always a possibility. I think one of the things that Newcastle need, basically, is players that can come in for the likes of Joe Lint when they get injured and hit the ground running straight away.
00:14:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think Elliot Anderson is that kind of player. I think he's a lot like, and this is going to sound worse than I intended it to, I think he's a lot like a Sean Longstaff where he needs a run of games, five to ten, before you see the best of him because he's not going to come in on a substitute appearance and set the ground alight.
00:14:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then when you saw him getting four or five games in preseason, you were sitting there at some points and going, wow, this kid's incredible. And then he was benched for the first the first five games of the season and you saw none of it.
00:15:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But then at Forest, we have seen oh a brilliant player come out. And I do agree. I think he's an excellent player. um I don't think he would have made the cut at Newcastle.
00:15:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think that might have been something that was our fault rather than his. Because I think when Joe Linton comes back in...
00:15:27
Iain
Exactly.
00:15:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Joe Linton comes back in and he goes straight into the team most of the time, even if ah someone like Elliot Anderson does really well. Eddie Howe has his favourites. Sometimes it works brilliantly.
00:15:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sometimes it's a fault he's won us a trophy. I ain't going to say anything anything negative about that, but I 100% agree. Anderson has all the potential to be one of the greats. um And I think he'll be one of the best players to come from our academy maybe in the next 10 years.
00:15:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Certainly not a lot of good talent by the looks of things in there at the moment.
00:16:03
Iain
okay
00:16:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
um The under-21s having a bit of a stinker at the start of the season. um But there is talent in there. Hopefully they ah can unlock it and get back to winning ways. But yeah, ah back on Elliot Anderson.
00:16:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hindsight is a beautiful thing. But again, £35 million. At the time, that felt like a good bid. Do you think... We were wrong to accept that 35 million, or is it just a stinger because of who came the other way?
00:16:34
Iain
i Michael, let's be honest, if it was 35 million, then it was a good deal and it it helped. But let's be honest, we paid them 20 million for Vlacadimos, Odysseus, who I don't think anyhow trusts him even to carry a cup of tea from the table, let alone play him in goal anywhere.
00:16:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:16:54
Iain
So in reality, net effect on PSL, we got 15 million in for Anderson and I think we gave him away. I do think what you said is true through the lens of today, but I think Anderson would have been more than happy to have come on and particularly in in a Champions League year and and played ah a big part, but come from the bench in the big games, maybe, maybe start some of the smaller games in the cup games because,
00:17:26
Iain
Joe Linton, Bruno and Tonali are all getting a year olderly older each year and we would have had a ah fantastic replacement just to step into the team for the first one of those two to get stuck with injury, to get bought, whatever it is.
00:17:45
Iain
And i I think, you know, think it's a false economy to have sold in for 35 and then to have to go and buy Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa's account academy and spend more money on it just to have a quality substitute midfielder.
00:18:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I do agree.
00:18:03
Iain
know we had to do it. We had to do it. Otherwise, we'd have got points deductions and we would have to have picked somebody else to be sacrificed on the PSR altar.
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:18:13
Iain
And, you know, who is that? Is that going a year earlier? Anthony Gordon going to Liverpool. I mean, I don't want to see ah any of those things happen back then.
00:18:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
definitely not.
00:18:22
Iain
So, yeah, I mean, it was set between a rock and a hard place, wasn't it? And unfortunately, I think Anderson's made the right move for his career, but unfortunately, I think we've given away one of the crown jewels.
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. I agree. I think it's one of those where, and I touched on it just in the question, so of it's more case of Odysseus was the one to join us.
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think if you're looking at and almost any other player that's on the the outskirts of Forest, maybe you know on the bench, getting into that team potentially, ah even Taiwo Wonyi to a degree, um you would have sat there and gone, you know what?
00:18:57
Iain
um ah
00:18:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can take it. We don't mind it. um But the fact that it's a goalkeeper who, now he's gone to Sevilla, by the way, is the number two behind Aston Villa's old number three, Ojan Nyland, who is a 34-year-old Norwegian who I don't believe gets into the Norway team either.
00:19:04
Iain
Please don't spare by the way.
00:19:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that I think that just tells you everything you need to know about the Greek keeper. um But yeah, it's one of those where it hurts simply because of who we had to let go to bring in what arguably the worst transfer in our history.
00:19:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I do hope the lad comes back one day. It'll probably cost us £70 million or something. um But having a Geordie back in that centre midfield, maybe alongside Lewis Miley even one day, um it would be it would be truly fantastic. But...
00:19:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
back to England. um Tommy Tuchel, I mentioned there, used some of the... I said he would come out a bit with a bit of credit.
Tuchel's Player Testing Strategy
00:20:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
He has used more players ah in his first five games than, believe, met any manager in those first five games.
00:20:05
Iain
now. So, I've got my journal's first five years.
00:20:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And there's only three feature players that are featured in every game. Harry Kane, Declan Rice, and surprisingly, Morgan Rodgers. um Do you think England's poor form is literally just down to Tuchel testing players to see what works in his system?
00:20:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or do you think it's a case of players simply aren't playing well, whether it's his system or him at all, and that's just a massive concern?
00:20:35
Iain
Well, i think I think there has been a degree of experimentation and ah a degree of fact-finding. And that's meant that there hasn't been a settled side and that is never conducive to one touch fantastic football. So but it's partly going to be down to that. and But it's partly, I think, down to two of the players that he's used in every game.
00:20:59
Iain
We know about Harry Kane and we know about Declan Rice.
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:03
Iain
We don't have to play them in every game. And there have been opportunities to try somebody else in that, or maybe to try
00:21:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, not at all.
00:21:11
Iain
a group of players together in consecutive games to see if they've got any chemistry that develops quickly. um I really wish we would try some different centre forwards, because i know Harry Kane has scored so many goals, and just when you're trying to write him off, he'll go and score another two.
00:21:29
Iain
But he's going to need to be replaced sometime, and we've got so few
00:21:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:34
Iain
centre forwards who have any experience to be able to do that. um We should. Ollie Watkins should have played a lot more.
00:21:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
100%, yeah.
00:21:43
Iain
um I think Ivan Tony should have played a lot more. and These are beasts for their club teams. They barely played, featured for England.
00:21:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. I think Oli Watkins in tournaments have shown that he's more than capable of ah making the step up.
00:21:55
Iain
but know how
00:22:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know That goal against ah the Netherlands um to make a 90-odd minute. yeah You're sitting there and go, wow, that's absolutely incredible like to have the Panache to do that.
00:22:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Harry Kane doesn't do that. um I mean, mainly because of the type of goal it is, but I don't think we see that from Harry Kane. If Harry Kane scores in tournaments against big teams, there's very often penalties.
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I completely agree.
00:22:25
Iain
I
00:22:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
You do need to start seeing more strikers, whether that's putting Marcus Rashford as a striker. I know he likes Rashford. Personally, I don't agree with the selection.
00:22:35
Iain
just don't agree with the side.
00:22:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But Marcus Rashford up there, Oli Watkins up there, as you mentioned, Dominic Solanke, potentially, if he gets back to fighting fitness at Tottenham. And then the other the only other option, as you say, is is Ivan Toney, who I think now he's gotten to Saudi, is probably... and don't want to say he's ruined that, but I don't see Tuchel picking many players from Saudi Arabia. But one player that on the wing who has, potentially, going have a renaissance of his career, Jack Grealish.
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think there's a space for Grealish on that left-hand side? Because the left-wing options actually aren't that great.
00:23:18
Iain
Well, you're ah you're looking for clicks. You're looking for comments. Because Anthony Gordon's got that left wing when he's in his form that we know he can be in.
00:23:31
Iain
He's unplayable.
00:23:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which is rare.
00:23:34
Iain
I certainly think Jack Grealish looks better on the left wing than trying to crowbar Phil Foden over there or telling Cole Palmer to play down the left, which is what Gareth Southgate was trying to do.
00:23:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
100%, yeah.
00:23:46
Iain
and Eze did all right when he came on there, although he prefers to be central, doesn't he? But I mean, that is a crowded place.
00:23:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. hundred percent yeah
00:23:54
Iain
Eze is a great player, but he's a central attacking midfielder, which we've got a glut of. um So, yeah, why not? Should definitely be in the squad, I think.
00:24:07
Iain
Grealish.
00:24:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. I think it'll be one of those where you'll have a few more, well, in the November qualifiers, if he's playing the same way he is for Everton right now, I don't think there's any doubt that Tuchel take a look and go, right, I want to test you out now as well.
00:24:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But it's worth noting in those 30 players that I mentioned who have played minutes under Tuchel, it doesn't include Olly Watkins, Jed Spence, John Stones, Adam Wharton, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jack Grealish, or Lewis Hall, all of whom could be in for call-ups. Some of them are already in the squad.
00:24:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Adam Wharton was supposed to be before picking up an injury. ah Stones is back in, Spence is in at the moment, Loftus-Cheek was the emergency call-up. So we could well have 37, 38 players tested by Tuchel before we go into the World Cup.
00:25:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that makes for actually picking the squad a lot more interesting. But in part three, I'm going to ask you what England's best 11 actually looks like.
00:25:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah You mentioned injured before.
00:25:11
Iain
Oh,
00:25:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
there are There are quite a lot that are injured. But for now, I'm going to go into the Zencastr advert, even though we gave them one right at the start.
Endorsement of Zencastr
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform.
00:25:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Zencaster? Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that automatically removes all those ums and ahs, it is super easy start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:25:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencaster. really weird doing the advert and then coming back to talking because it just sounds a lot of me talking.
00:25:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
home But best 11 for England, Ian. Start off, goalkeeper. Is it Pickford?
00:26:03
Iain
I think it is Pickford. I'm hoping Ramsdale gives him a run for his money, but he'd have to knock Pope out of the first choice for Newcastle. Potentially Ramsdale could.
00:26:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:14
Iain
When you think back to him, when he was when he was was making everybody wondering why Arteta had brought Rea in on loan at Arsenal, because he played really well with that competition in that season.
00:26:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree.
00:26:27
Iain
At the minute, pickfords Pickford's head and shoulders. Certainly not Trafford, is it? or Henderson or Pope.
00:26:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, he's been really poor.
00:26:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, it's certainly not Nick Pope, unfortunately. But I do agree, rat if anyone is going take Pickford's place in the next two, three years, it probably does look more like being Aaron Ramsdale than anybody else.
00:26:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
It would have been James Trafford, but Juan Luigi Donnarumma is 100% going to start for City going forward. So Trafford's kind of just stuck on the bench. Yeah, ah less about that because I just sound bitter.
00:27:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But, right back. Do you have someone in mind or would you like me to throw some options at you?
00:27:14
Iain
I think right back is difficult, isn't it um I would love to see Tino get it.
00:27:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:20
Iain
um i think Rhys James has got it and that Tuchel trusts him.
00:27:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:27:25
Iain
But then you've got to factor Trent in as well. Trent is a world-class player.
00:27:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was just about a turn.
00:27:29
Iain
He's at Real Madrid. I think if you're trying to pick the best team at the moment, it would be Trent at right back.
00:27:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I 100% agree. I don't think there's any fullbacks in the world who have the passing range of Trent Alexander-Arnold. And when you look at the games we've played so far under Thomas Tuchel, the passing it to get in behind just hasn't really been there.
00:27:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
mean, you've got Harry Kane trying to run him behind. He isn't exactly the quickest, but it's one of those where it's been a real lack of quality on the ball for me, and Trent would 100% have fixed um But hopefully he doesn't try and shoehorn him in at centre midfield like we did in the last tournament.
00:28:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I do agree. It's between Trent or James um right now. And, well, Tino will be there be there one day if he continues the way he has been. But that's not my question.
00:28:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll move to the other flank where potentially one of the Newcastle lads is in the equation. Who would you have down at left back?
00:28:30
Iain
a
00:28:32
Iain
That's where Jed Spence is in for it, isn't it, at the moment?
00:28:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so Jed Spence, a bit like Tino Livermento, can play right or left. um He has been playing left a little bit more recently.
00:28:46
Iain
Well, I mean, I might be biased, but I think Lewis Hall is a brilliant left back. And i don't think we suffered any drop off in performance down the left when Tino took over at left back.
00:29:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, we definitely didn't.
00:29:00
Iain
I would hope that Tino would be included as one of the full-backs. and Who else is there? Tell me who else you think would get in there. I'd put Lewis Hall as the top man.
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I've got Fulham.
00:29:14
Iain
I don't think Lewis... Lewis Skelly is a midfielder, isn't he? ah Ultimately...
00:29:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he's he's thought of as a left a left back. A bit like Trent. bit more forward thinking. But Lewis Skelly is very much ah ah putting him in at left back.
00:29:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
If anywhere on the pitch.
00:29:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I've got him down with Rico Lewis. ah Lewis Hall and Tino Livermanto as my four options. And to be honest, I'm thinking Tino as well.
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because he's a better left back than he is right back.
00:29:45
Iain
Ahead of Hall.
00:29:49
Iain
Ahead of Hall.
00:29:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. I didn't think I'd say that last year. I really didn't. But he has been fantastic since moving to left-back. And I think we have unknowingly signed two left-backs instead of a right-back and a left-back.
00:30:04
Iain
long do you think Trippier can keep going?
00:30:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Which is...
00:30:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not long enough, unfortunately. Sorry. um But yes, ah so we've got two fullbacks there, Trent and Tino. At centre-back, there's a lot of names that could potentially go in there.
00:30:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which two are you picking for England?
00:30:26
Iain
oh I'm a big fan of Konza, who seems to be behind Gehi, and he'd rather play Gehi on the right-hand side instead of Konza when Gehi plays on the left for Palace to accommodate Dan Byrne.
00:30:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Palace, yeah.
00:30:42
Iain
I think Dan Byrne is a titan, but I'm amazed if Dan Byrne is the best centre-half in the country. Yeah.
00:30:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, it's a strange one, isn't it?
00:30:52
Iain
Because we know his we know his limitations with the ball at his feet. But, i mean, he his height gives him such a huge advantage in defending corners and free kicks and things.
00:30:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:03
Iain
Gehi is the best centre-half in the country, I think. And i would I would have him with on the left, which is his preferred position, with Konza, if it was me picking the centre-half position.
00:31:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think that'll be what he does tonight, to be honest. Konza and Gay, think Dan Byrne gets a bit of a rest after playing 90, and I completely agree. As it stands, those two look like the best.
00:31:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, if you're playing a three, you maybe include Levi Colwell, Trevor Shalabar, and then you know there's always Harry Maguire, who could potentially come in. ah Jared Branthwaite looks like a brilliant choice for the future. Same with Jharrel Konza, but not now.
00:31:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then obviously you've got Johnny Stones in there as well. So there's so many good options for England. Not a lot of great options, but I think of the ones I've said there, ah do agree.
00:31:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Concer and Gay are probably the most likely to win you a tournament. um So with that, we've got a back line there.
00:32:02
Iain
You're saying that, Michael, just at just what you just said, Chimes, the most likely to win you a tournament. Let's be honest, there's not a Bobby Moore in there.
00:32:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:32:11
Iain
theres not a There's not a John Terry. There's not a Rio Ferdinand. There's not even a Sol Campbell. So i think I think we've got a lot of decent centre-halves, but we don't have any world-class centre-halves.
00:32:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
who
00:32:24
Iain
As it stands, Brathwaite might become one. Kwanzaa might become one.
00:32:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, definitely not.
00:32:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
John Stones back in the day probably would have been, but I think he's lost a he's lost a touch of pace. And let's be honest, he doesn't even get a game for Sydney now. And when he does, it's in the Rodri position. So I could have potentially co included him as the central midfielders, but onto the central midfielders.
00:32:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which two would you pick as England's best? Now, I'll ah'll keep this separate from the number 10. So it's Tuchel's 4-2-3-1. So these would be the two that are seep sitting in a bit deeper.
00:33:03
Iain
The double pivot.
00:33:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which two?
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. Who would you play there as England's best?
00:33:12
Iain
Well, I'm kind of with Kev when he says about Declan Rice, driving 40 yards up the pitch, putting his foot on it, turning it around and knocking the ball back to the halfway line to one of the centre-halves.
00:33:25
Iain
Yes, look up, do do a defence splitting pass, knock it out forward to the winger, do something other than concede all the ground that you're running as one.
00:33:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:34
Iain
um But then ah don't know who else you can bring in it at that level. I loved Kobe Maynou.
00:33:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:33:43
Iain
back in the World Cup. But that's not his position. He's a better number 10.
00:33:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:33:49
Iain
he's He's not back there. And I would have thought that we could find two and play them in their natural position. Conor Gallagher doesn't let us down, but this there's not any class there, I don't think.
00:34:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, definitely not.
00:34:05
Iain
If you know what I mean, he's a workman.
00:34:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. Yeah. He's a bit of a jewel in...
00:34:08
Iain
But that England team had That England team had Nobby Stiles in that workman position, so maybe you need somebody like that.
00:34:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:34:15
Iain
Can't all be Jude Bellingham. I think Bellingham's wasted when he plays back there, although he drives forward and goes forward really well. But I prefer to see him further up the pitch.
00:34:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go.
00:34:26
Iain
It's a tough one, isn't it?
00:34:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
100%, because when you think that number 10, there's a number of good players who you want starting for England, and there's at least one of them that would start in that number 10, maybe instead of Bellingham.
00:34:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a potential, and i'll speak to I'll speak about this at the end, that you could fit multiple players in and take out one Harry Kane. and But I'll get to that and potentially a little bit later.
00:34:52
Iain
but Just on that though, if you're playing Andorra, you don't need a double pivot. You can have one pivot and play two number 10s.
00:35:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%.
00:35:02
Iain
Then that gives you some, could that gives you an edge. And I know that just leaves you with five at the back to cover the Andorran forward line. But come on, we should cope with that.
00:35:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Considering we've played them twice and they haven't had a shot on target against us, I 100% agree, to be honest. um But yeah, for me, it's Bellingham and Rice.
00:35:22
Iain
mean that would work That would work much further up the food chain as well, though, Michael. That's what I mean. We don't need a double pivot against two of the three sides that we play in the qualifying tech group in the World Cup, for example.
00:35:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Grease and stuff like that
00:35:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
that.
00:35:37
Iain
um
00:35:38
Iain
Maybe that's my gung-ho attitude that would get us knocked out in the group stages. I don't know.
00:35:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:35:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
100%.
00:35:46
Iain
but there is ah There's an argument that you just have to be pragmatic and make sure you get those results rather than worrying about what the performance is like.
00:35:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But i think I think you're completely right.
00:35:53
Iain
But I want everything. I want us to win and i want us to look good doing it.
00:35:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 100%. And that's something that's been lacking recently. um I do agree. Rice and I would have Bellingham in there just simply because of the lack of options. I know people will say Gallagher, Jones, Gibbs, White, Anderson.
00:36:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I don't think any of those get in a best. I think the only one that could potentially rival is Adam Wharton. who I think is an absolutely fantastic player, but needs a bit more game time under his belt.
00:36:19
Iain
Okay.
00:36:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's injured so frequently for Palace, but he is such a good player. And I do think it'll be him and Rice in there for at least a couple of years after the World Cup, because they're that good.
00:36:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, that would mean, obviously, if you do play Wharton and Rice, that does mean Bellingham has moved a bit further forward. So we'll go straight into that. The number 10, Who would you play in the number 10 if you're looking to create England's best 11?
00:36:52
Iain
la um
00:36:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
but Bellingham straight away. Okay, what about Cole Palmer? What about Phil Foden?
00:36:59
Iain
fantastic fantastic to step in if Bellingham's injured or suspended is that can I can I be so I mean that's how good a player he is though he's what like he's a generational talent among generational talents I think that's why Real Madrid went and
00:37:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
To be honest.
00:37:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he is fantastic.
00:37:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:18
Iain
Paid the fortune that they did straight away.
00:37:20
Iain
um i know he's got a shoulder injury. Hopefully that will be fully recovered before the business end of this competition. I think he's brilliant.
00:37:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:37:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:37:30
Iain
I just think he's a class of part.
00:37:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I completely agree. And what I would say with that is, do you think potentially England could replicate what Real Madrid did in Bellingham's first season and play Jude Bellingham in the false nine with maybe an attacking midfielder like a Cole Palmer behind him?
00:37:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that would mean Harry Kane is out of the equation, who gets you all of your goals. I'm aware no one likes him anymore um and sees him as a bit of a liability up front.
00:38:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he's the one that gets all the goals. Could you rely on Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer to contribute enough to stop that? Or do you think it's one of those where Real Madrid can pull it off, England probably can't?
00:38:16
Iain
No, I think it would be be worth trying. But I don't think Tuchel will leave Harry Kane out. Tuchel knows Harry Kane from Bayern as well, doesn't he?
00:38:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:38:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think Tuchel was there when Kane was there. I don't think they overlapped.
00:38:35
Iain
Did
00:38:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah His first season... was the first season Bayern Munich didn't win a trophy. um And it was Harry Kane's first season at Bayern.
00:38:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
So of the the two have worked together, but maybe they did.
00:38:52
Iain
He scored a lot of goals, didn't he? He scored a lot of goals that season. That's why Tuchel will keep him in.
00:38:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's a very interesting one because 44 goals two seasons ago under Tuchel, 41 goals last season, and then six and four already this year. And then obviously for England, he's got seven i think he's got seven goals um last year and then four this year.
00:39:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
So 11 goals in 19 games for England. you can't You can't keep them out.
00:39:21
Iain
He's a machine.
00:39:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can't keep them out.
00:39:24
Iain
You can't know.
00:39:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:39:25
Iain
You know, if he'd stayed at Tottenham and done that, if he'd stayed at Tottenham and done anywhere near that, he would have overtaken Alan Shearer's record.
00:39:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But so we've got it there.
00:39:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
hundred percent 100%. So thank you, Harry Kane, for going to Germany. Chasing trophies. Although Spurs obviously he just won a trophy, so who knows? um But that leaves our two wingers.
00:39:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Who are you going for on the wings?
00:39:48
Iain
Saka on the right.
00:39:50
Iain
Another generational talent who can, he's got, I mean, he could have been a gynecologist with that right and left foot.
00:39:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'd agree.
00:39:58
Iain
That's how good he is.
00:40:03
Iain
And um I'm going to stick up for Gordon. I hope he rediscovers his his say form from two seasons ago.
00:40:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:40:12
Iain
Gordon should be down the left.
00:40:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah it's it's it's a good shot.
00:40:15
Iain
and encouraged to take the full back on and put inside and do all those things.
00:40:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's the most natural left-wing actor.
00:40:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely. He is the most natural left winger, and I think that left wing position is going to be the one which is arguably the hardest to push to pull down and make your own, because Rashford has played more than Gordon in that left wing under Tuchel.
00:40:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Grealish is in form, Eberrechieze is coming in, Morgan Rodgers has played every game, albeit most off the bench. And then you're looking at potentially Cole Palmer and Phil Foden going over there simply to fit them into the team, and which we've seen in the past.
00:40:48
Iain
So,
00:40:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And hopefully that doesn't happen. um But that wraps up our England special. ah Not a lot of talk about Serbia, but I'll be honest with you. I'm an England fan.
00:41:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
I ain't a Serbia fan and I'm not all concerned about what they're going to do, even if they do beat us in Belgrade. um So it's been a massive night for Tuchel. It'll be a massive night for Tuchel and the Free Lions.
00:41:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Perhaps a key turning point in England's campaign. And maybe just the night that Thomas Tuchel needs to get England going. Or they could lose and it'll be another Steve McLaren.
00:41:26
Iain
If this is the sort of dodgy looking game, like when England went to play in Croatia and Wolcott got his hat-trick and won 4-1 and we could do something like that at Serbia, everything's rosy again for us winning the World Cup.
00:41:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:41:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. 100%.
00:41:43
Iain
if we If we lose, if we do with Germany and lose 2-0 like they did in Slovakia, but we do it in Slovenia,
00:41:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
no
00:41:51
Iain
then you know there'd be a lot of talk about whether Tuchel's the right man to take us even to this World Cup. I know he's only got an 18-month contract to take us there, but if he's that bad, he would get rid of him beforehand.
00:41:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:42:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
hundred percent
00:42:06
Iain
And then we'd have to try and persuade Eddie Howe that he was wanted at Newcastle.
00:42:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hands off, anyhow. ah But you've summed it up perfectly there. Will Tush will even be in charge and a year's time. Who knows?
00:42:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And hopefully we find out after England win a trophy.
00:42:24
Iain
Stop there.
00:42:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
But before that, we've got the small matter of Serbia.
00:42:29
Iain
ah
00:42:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
See you later.