Who should England take to the World Cup?

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1:00What's up? It's Sean Linda from Two Black Guys, a Good Credit. If managed supply runs is still on your to-do list, here's your science upgrade. Walmart Business has a tech, tools, and services that make it ridiculously easy to stock up for your office or team. Think scheduled deliveries, multi-user accounts, and even IT setup. Bonus. With a Walmart Business Plus membership, you get free shipping, spend analytics, and 2% rewards. Join the smart way to shop at business.warmart.com. Terms apply. The Athletic FC. Welcome to the Athletic FC podcast with me, Matt Davis Adams. We're into the final international break before this summer's World Cup. Harry McGuire and Kobe Manu are back in the England squad whilst Trent Alexander Arnold was left out by Thomas Tuchel. So, who should be on the plane? Come, gee. Right, with us for this one, we've got Stu Jayne today doing Stu.

2:00Very well, thank you, Matt. Good morning to you. Yeah, and Jack Pitbrook's on board with us, too. Jack, you okay? Hi, Matt. You own good things. Good stuff. Right, then Thomas Tuchel, named a 35-man squad ahead of England's friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, including five goalkeepers. That's wisely fending off a couple of days of four goalkeepers, Thomas, four. That's insane, memes. Jack, this is a bigger squad than the 26 players he can take to the World Cup. How much impact are these friendly's going to have on who makes the final cut, do you think? Yeah, quite a lot of impact. It's really interesting, I think, how he's done it. So, basically, he's split the squad into two sections. The first section is 26 players, and I guess we can probably call that possible. Because these are fringe players who are not definite to go to the World Cup, and they're the ones who are competing to play in... They're the ones who've been training at St George's this week, and they're competing to play against Uruguay tonight. Tomorrow morning, 11 other players who, I guess, we can call probable's, will join up with a squad. Those are the guys like, you know, Rice, Kane, Sacka, and so on.

3:04When they join the squad, that means that, I guess, 10 or so players from the Possible's will drop out, and they'll, again, go back to the 26th man squad, which will compete for the Japan game on Tuesday. So, it's a way to make sure that he can see as many players as possible, while also giving the possible players a bit more space to show what they can do without having, you know, the obvious top players, Kane, Rice, Sacka, etc., breeding down their necks. So, I think he'll learn a lot from training over the course of this week and next week, and he'll obviously obviously learn a lot from the Uruguay game tonight and the Japan game on Tuesday. So, therefore, then, Stu, is this more about auditioning and in Tuku's case, running the rule over some of these players whose places aren't nailed down than it is actually preparing for the tournament? Absolutely. I think there's a really strong element of auditioning here, especially in the time that the squad is together up to and including the Uruguay game. I mean, Tuku's quotes last week, but one of them here, we bring players in that we haven't seen. You haven't played so much to open up the picture, and the competition for playing tickets to the US is the last opportunity to impress.

4:05So, I think that's pretty clear. There's a group of players who, as I see it, are effectively on trial. And I think that takes in, as Jack just mentioned, then, how they train. Obviously, how they play, that's the most significant part, but also how they integrate with the group, you know, in and around the camp, what they're like as personalities, which is obviously going to be so important when you're away at the World Cup. So, for players such as Calvert Lewin, Lewis Hall, Garner, now is your moment. You know, there's a bit of pressure. In fact, a lot of pressure, you need to go and perform. And then, I think that shifts, you know, for all the reasons that Jack said, ahead of the Japan game, really, when it will have a different field at match, and I guess you could say that's more fine tuning around. Fine tuning's probably going too far this far ahead of the World Cup, but it's more preparation for the World Cup that game. But, yeah, I'm really interested in some of these players get on because it feels like, yeah, it feels like the spotlights on them, you know, go and take your opportunity. Well, you weigh 18 months for a man United player to be included in England squad, and then two come along at once, namely Harry Maguire and Kobe Manu. I guess it's not a huge surprise given their form since Michael Carrick

5:08took charge of United, but also given their history with England, right? That must have come into to Tuchel's thinking to some extent. 100%. Yeah, it is crazy. How quickly things can change in football, isn't it? I mean, you know, they're unable to get a game at club level, playing for a team that's really, really struggling. And they're totally out of the England picture. And then all of that really has been turned on its head. Kobe Manu, Ruben Armer's treatment of him was strange, really strange. You know, he'd describe him as the future and yet wouldn't play him. His system seemed to really hold back opportunities for Kobe Manu also because it seemed to be him or Fernandez in there, Bruno Fernandez and him to completely different profile of footballer. So, you know, he's really seized his opportunity under Carrick, played well. I think his history with England is important. You know, he played in his key figure in the Euro's, Euro 2024, started all those knockout games. So I think that puts him in a good place too. And then as for Maguire, I think, you know, you look at his experience, his leadership on and off the field, how important that could be. I think they tick, you know, boxes.

6:09In my opinion, what's also in the favor of both of them is when I look through the England squad, I feel like centimid field were not blessed with loads of options and centre back really concerns me. So I think there are openings in those positions, you know, to for that reason. Do you mention centre back there, Jack? Do you think Thomas Tugel's wanting to fall back on that and the tried and trusted Maguire in stones, partnership? I guess that's fitness dependent in stones case or Mark Gaye will probably have something to say about that. And as Reconzi too, what do you think will be the preferred pair? Yeah, it's interesting, isn't it? So Gaye and Conzi were both in the kind of top tier of players, the guys who are going to arrive on Saturday. They're not around for this particular game, I think in recognition of how much football they played recently for their clubs. But Stone's an interesting one, isn't he? Because he's barely played for city for months, like he's clearly not at the top of Pep Guardiola's pecking warden. But Thomas Tugel absolutely adores stones. Stones can do things that no other England centre back can do.

7:10And like with all due respect to Gaye and Conzi who are really good at what they do, Stone's is just a different player. If Stone's is in decent nick, I am convinced that he'll be playing in the World Cup. But he just needs, he needs to stay fit and he needs to, he probably needs to play and I imagine he might even play both of these England games this week, just to keep him in tune. McGuire is an interesting one, because he's not played under Tugel. But he's, I think, his former man United recently. And the extra experience that he brings and everything, I think he's, he's now obviously back in the mix as well. So it might well be a kind of throwback to the, you know, the good old days, 2018 World Cup pairing of Stones and McGuire against Uruguay tonight. Mm. Sticking with defence, Reese James sidelined. So if somebody else is returned to the squad, his Arsenal's Ben White after Jarelle Quanzer dropped out through entry. What did you make sure of White's inclusion? Hasn't played loads for Arsenal this season as he, I mean, is this more just a placeholder in the hope that Reese James does make it back in time? Probably, yeah. I'd be surprised if White ends up going to the World Cup.

8:10I said it for a few reasons, really Matt. You know, he wasn't in the initial 35-man squad. His lack of game time at club level with Arsenal, where he's been a fringe player really for most of the season behind your in-timber. And also his injury problems over the last 18 months. I think that would be a worry too going into a tournament. And, you know, Tukka has other options assuming those players come through. So what does go for White and Miles is the fact that he's, he's versatile, you know, he can play centre back too. And I know he loves overlapping, but I also think his defensive instincts are a big thing. And when I sort of look at the kind of profile of players, Tukka picks at fullback and will come on to Trent in a moment, I think, you know, those defensive instincts are really, really important. How good you are and those one-on-one jewels. And, you know, White brings that. He is for me, first and foremost, a fullback who defends. Yes, he likes to get forward, but his defensive characteristics are strong. So that works in his favour. But to go back to what I said at the beginning, I think the fact he's not initially picked his telling.

9:11And he only goes if there's an injury crisis that right back in my eyes. It shows you how quickly it changes, doesn't it? Doesn't feel like that long ago. We were making teams out of England right back. And now we're scratching around, looking for an Arsenal reserve. Well, as if it were pre-planned, that's going to lead us on to talk about the emission of another player in that position, round Madrid's Trent Alexander R. This episode of the A30 GFC podcast is sponsored by Pebble. Now, one thing no one tells you about hiring globally is how unclear the cost can be. It looks simple at first, but then the fees start stacking up, where Pebble brings clarity with up front all in hiring costs and enables you to hire the world. Pebble is an AI-powered global human resources platform built for founders, HR leaders and operators who are hiring and supporting teams worldwide. Pebble helps you hire, pay and manage talent in over 185 countries with fast onboarding that can be done in minutes. Instead of juggling separate tools for contracts, payroll, benefits and compliance, Pebble brings everything together with built-in guidance and local expertise

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11:14before your shopper even starts. So instead of crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, you get groceries picked the way you would pick them. It's a small thing, but it makes a big difference. Download the app and get bananas just how you like with Instacart. Hi friends, Sean Linda from Two Black Guys are good credit here. Whether you're running a nonprofit at school or a small business, one more business here to support your mission. They make it easy to order what you need from tech and cleaning supplies to everyday essentials. All at low prices and with helpful tools like spend tracking a tax exempt purchasing for eligible organizations. Because when your operations are smooth, your impact can be bigger. Visit business.warmart.com to get started. This is the Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair. So, despite having a 35-man squad for this international break, Thomas Tuchel went without Trent Alexander Arnold citing it as a sporting decision.

12:15Presumably, the sporting question is football. Jack, were you surprised at this snub? I mean, it's hard to see a way back from now, isn't it? If he hasn't made this squad. I wasn't that surprised because he's only, I think he's only made one appearance under Tuchel, which was in June of last year. Tuchel was actually quite critical of Alexander Arnold's defending at that point. And the fact is that it's not new for England managers to find it difficult to integrate Alexander Arnold into their team. This was a constant theme under Southgate. Alexander Arnold was never really, he was never really first choice right back under Southgate. He actually ended up playing in Centralfield in the Euro's in 2024. Lee Carlsley did have him as first choice right back during his brief stint between Southgate and Tuchel. But in that sense, it's nothing new. I think what is it maybe makes it a little bit more surprising is the fact that given Karl Walker's retirement international duty, Kirin Trippi of retirement international duty and Reese James is the first choice right back, basically, is now injured. So it's not like there's a long list of top players

13:16ahead of Alexander Arnold. And the fact is, you know, the guys who are competing to play it right back against Uruguay are white who's not played for England since Qatar. Tina Levervento, who's, you know, had a good playup, he's had injuries to the season. Jed Spence, who's had not a brilliant season, frankly, and he's been playing it left back. So it's not like there are, you know, top right backs ahead of Alexander Arnold in the pecking order. And I think that just goes to show that it really does come down to profile. And I think I wonder where the managers just think that because Alexander Arnold has got such a unique skill set, you don't really have the time in international football to integrate that into your team and to kind of recalibrate your team to make the most of what he can and can't do. The Matt Latissier of the 2020s, perhaps, England has struggled to accommodate him, Real Madrid as well, to a certain extent. I mean, he played centre-min at the last Euro's for a bid, didn't he? That was a fever dream in a half. Does it show to you just how much Liverpool system was suited to his strength? I mean, they've missed him a lot this season, if England haven't.

14:16Yeah, I think Liverpool system helped him loads, didn't it? He had a lot of freedom with the way that Liverpool played and the sort of freedom you're realistically not going to get, I don't think, is a fallback at international level. And the defensive focus, those comments from Tukal, at the end of, I think it was the summer last year, wasn't it, Jack Dream last year, when he said, he needs to take the defensive part of his game very, very seriously. There's a pretty clear message there, isn't it? I don't actually think you're doing that at this moment in time. And I remember, Pep Linders spoke about this Liverpool and he felt like the focus defensively at Liverpool was more on the collective and less on the individual. In this case, obviously Alexander Arnold. So he'd argue it was more about how the team defended Nick. Alexander Arnold should be left really in a one-on-one situation, something's gone wrong there, because I do think, and I'm a big trend, Alexander Farn, an amazing skill set, as Jack said. But I do think there's a vulnerability with him defensively when he gets isolated. So, yeah, it's interesting. I mean, he kind of redefined that right-back role, didn't he, for a period at Liverpool?

15:17He was a playmaker at right back. He was, at times, the most influential player on the pitch and playing in that position. And I guess you also look at it. I mean, this season he's had problems that Frimpong, Dominic Sebastai, kind of Bradley's as injuries, you know, none of that has obviously helped, but they've missed his creativity Liverpool for sure. And part of me wonder's not, obviously, the sole reason, but how much that impacted on Salas form this season as well. You know, those two dovetailed for years, brilliantly on the right, and he's not there now. He's had multiple other players playing at right back. So, yeah, it's a strange word, and you know, just come back to England thing. I was looking, he's only 134 England cups, Jack, which is extraordinary, isn't it, really? And you know, when you go back through the games and see when he does play, he's kind of rarely been trusted in big games. So, there is a clear thing there, and I guess on that note, I can understand why Jack says, really, it isn't that surprise, and he's been left out, and it's very difficult to see him going to the World Cup,

16:18and I was not, if you don't make the 35-man squad, how'd you suddenly end up going? I think if you look at the, like, Tuckled's been asked a few times, you know, over the course of the last week or two, is the door closed, is this, you know, just what does this mean for his international career? And of course, he's not going to say, yes, the door is closed, you know, of course, he's always going to leave it open in public. But given the players he has picked, given the way that he's shaped this squad, given the fact that he had, well, initially, the Kwonser Liberamento and Spence has the right backs, and now, obviously, Kwonser's injured Ben White is in, instead, head of Alexander Arnold. I think as it stands, it's very, very difficult to see how he goes. And that, I think on one level, that's a shame, right? Because it's, in, like, deal world, you would want the most talented English players, of which Alexander Arnold clearly is one. You know, you don't get to play for Real Madrid by accident, but he's just, he's just not in the picture, is he? And that's a, I think, I think that's a bit of a shame. So it's really important, then, Jack, that Reese James does come back by the sounds of it, because his deputy, as you say, would be Tino Liberamento's got his own injury history.

17:20I mean, there would have been a world at one point where you could have called upon an Aaron Wamba Sackler or an Oler Ainer who both played for England through youth groups and then switched to legions as, but, yeah, a lot of pressure on them, getting Reese James fit and keeping him fit, which has obviously been a big issue throughout his career. Yeah, a lot of pressure on, on that. And I think it will be wrong for England to be overconfident about the fitness of anyone going to his World Cup, but this is going to be a really physically draining World Cup. It's a new format. It's an extra round of games. You've got to play eight games to win it rather than seven. Like, whatever route they take through the tournament, England will have lots of times where they've got one game and then three days then the next game. So it's going to take an awful lot out of the players and I think they will need, you know, good, robust backups for every position. And that means the, you know, given James's injury, the question of who is the next right back in line is a really, really important question. And I think it's really, you know, it matters what happens with, you know, what's happened in training this week? Is it going to be Livramento or Spence

18:21or White who starts tonight? My guess at this point would be Livramento. I think it's probably next in line, but there's a lot of pressure on. And if he, you know, if he does well, if it is him and if he does well, then it'd be fascinating to see what happens in the Japan game when Tuesday. I also would not be shocked if, you know, he's tried, I think, concert right back during the course of the qualifiers. I wouldn't, I wonder if we might see a bit of that again. You know, I think Berners played fullback as well. I think it left back. So I wouldn't be surprised if we see maybe a centre-back shifting across, but yeah, it's a really big opportunity for all those guys. Meanwhile at the other end of the pitch, Brighton, Stanley Wellbeck probably feeling a bit hard done by not to have made the cut. How many is best Premier League scoring season to date with 12 goals up to this point? Do you think you deserve that? An England return? Stu, it's interesting in the players who've been picked ahead of him. Yeah, proper centre-forward goals too, you know, right place, right time. I think it was a really difficult call whether to go with Wellbeck or Harvard-Lewin. Well, I say those two because we were asked

19:22to put together our England squads for the World Cup. When I was looking at this, I did consider Oli Watkins, but I thought he wasn't in good enough form to be understudy to Kane. And I was really torn as to whether it should be Harvard-Lewin or Wellbeck. And this is terrible. I was ageist about this, really. And I looked at Wellbeck 35. And Harvard-Lewin's just turned 29 and I went with a younger player. Had we been picking a squad of 35 players like Tukel has done now, there's absolutely no way Wellbeck would not have been in that squad from my point of view. And I was really surprised that Slanky was picked ahead of him. And I think Wellbeck, that's harsh on him. He's done really well this season. He scored 12 Premier League goals. He looks really good, physical shape too. He look at the number of matches he's played. I think he's been involved in all but one of Brighton's Premier League games. He started 20 of them, put forward a really good case. And strikes me as a good guy too. Well, Wellbeck, I'd imagine his experience would be good, his leadership around the group. So, yeah, it's tough on him. And it's funny, isn't it, how things happen? He gets overlooked, following day,

20:22pretty much goes as well as following day. Wasn't it, goes and scores two against Liverpool? What a great kind of response. So, interesting. I won't rule him out completely, also because Slanky's had his injury issues. And Colbert Lewins, you know, injury history too. So, he could, I guess, come back into the picture. But, yeah, tough on him. Jacob Tanswell's got an interview up on the Athletics today with Keenan Davis. He's doing great things in Serie A this season. He's asked the question as to whether he might make this quality. He replied, I think you're being a bit outlandish, but maybe not more outlandish than an out of form, Colbert Lewin or an injury prone, Slanky. You do think it's going to be Jackie, who's going to be getting splinters in their, watching Harry Kane do all the hard work. I would probably bet on Colbert Lewin over Slanky. Slanky, I've seen, obviously, watch a lot of Slanky this season, since he came back from the ankle injury that really were in the first half of the season for him. He's worked really hard. He's called a few goals, but he's not. I don't think he's quite the level he was at the first half of the last season

21:22before he got that knee injury. I think Colbert Lewin has really, at points this season believes look really, really good. I would probably bet on Colbert Lewin, but I guess ultimately this is the point of what Tushel's done this week, right, is he wants to, he wants Colbert Lewin and Slanky competing in training without having Kane there, without having Kane breathing down their necks. I imagine that the selection decisions that he'll make for tonight's game we've based on what he's seen in training, but if I had to bet, I would probably bet on Colbert Lewin. Okay, all this talk of slightly injury, prone English players is making me a little nervous, I must admit. This is the Athletic FC podcast, probably sponsored by Betfair. Well, this is the part of the show, where with the help of our partners, Betfair, we show you how you can play in a different league of this season. James Mackey's back with us. James, we've just been discussing Trent Alexander Arnold and Danny Welbeck not being in the England squad this time around. I wonder what their odds are to make the cut when Thomas Tuchel makes the announcement in June. Yeah, Matt, there'd be no surprise that we've seen drift

22:24on both of these players to head to the World Cup. With Danny Welbeck, it's a big one being a short, it's 13 to five at the start of the season, but now out to 17 to two. And it's amazing really that he's the top English scoring striker in the Premier League this season. Tuchel for whatever reason, he's not having him to be the backup striker for Kane. Trent, on the other hand, he has drifted from 8 to 11 to now odds against 11 to 10 to make the squad. But I think there's two ways to look at him with him, because Tuchel's seen enough and he thinks right, he will make the squad and just need to risk him in these games. Or is it the opposite? Look, I think it's a difficult one with Trent, but I'd like to probably say, Welbeck might not be on that plane. OK, well, we're looking at some other players in different areas of the squad. So you've had some movement in terms of their odds to make the cut. What about the goalkeepers? I mean, if you're English, you get in this squad. So I'm guessing there's quite a few contenders here. Yeah, there's been some big moves from all different positions, but we'll start with the keepers. And the inclusion of Jason Steele into the late 35-man squad of the scene and go from what was a big price of 33 to 1,

23:26now into 7 to 1. And that was from all from March 20th, but look, it looks unlikely, doesn't it? Aaron Ramsdale's the interesting one, though. It's been in and out of the new castle team this season, but now looking to be what is the number one really for Eddie Howe, now is near with Nick Pope dropping to the bench. Many think that he might be the third choice in goal for Tuchel, and he was as big as four to one, now into even money map. And what about in midfield? Lots of options for Thomas Tuchel there. Yeah, so there's a similar story with midfield. Thomas James Garn has been a huge mover from 20 to 1 into 13 to 5. Now I've been included in this squad. Kobe Mayne was as big as 6 to 1 when the market opened, now into odds on 8 to 15. Obviously he went to the last year, whereas didn't he? Another interest on his archie Gray, who was as big as 22 to 1, now into 13 to 1. Just on the defenders, Harry Maguire, he's been one of our biggest movers, 9 to 2, now into 4 to 11 to make the play. Now having been in this squad and looking, he's been a bit of a store offering, and that has been over the last few years. So really interesting. Ben White, another 11 to 2, now into 7 to 2, with that right back conundrum for Tuchel to solve.

24:26And up front, who's most likely to spend an entire tournament sitting on the bench keeping their fingers crossed that Harry game rolls his ankle? Well, this market's been really interesting, actually. And we'll mention a few big movers, but this has definitely got to be the biggest. Dominic Calvert Lewin was 50 to 1 when the market opened to go to the World Cup. And I don't think many people thought that he would. Look, he's definitely with a chance now, he's 21 to 10 now to make that cut on the plane. That mid part of the season was brilliant for him, wasn't he, and he couldn't stop scoring, but now he's tailed off a bit. But look, is he going to be Watkins? Is he going to be Calvert Lewin? Is he going to be Salanky? Well, Salanky, he's another one that was as big as 7 to 1, now into 21 to 10. It's all around that price that obviously punters can't make their mind up yet. And maybe this fattusia will make their mind a parvy barns. He's interesting. He's now into 5 to 1, obviously choosing England over Scotland from 18 to 1. So, yeah, the striker can under him is an interesting one, Matt. But look, the similar prices are 21 to 10 for both Calvert Lewin and Salanky from bigger prices. Calvert Lewin, of course, has scored the winning goal for England in a World Cup final before the under 20s

25:29back in 2017. All right, James, that was a nice change of pace for us. Appreciate your time, we'll catch it with you soon. This is the Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair. Right, we referenced this five goalkeeper business of the top team, Henderson Jordan picked for James Trafford, Aaron Ramsdale, and most surprisingly, Brighton is Jason Steele, Tickle has talked about Steele's inclusion. Let's have a listen to what he said. Well, Jason is a bit of a particular one because we're planning to take four goalkeepers to the World Cup, and the fourth goalkeeper then has a special role. So the three goalkeepers will compete and support each other for the matches, but they will also compete, of course, for a place in goal. The fourth goalkeeper and a World Cup is then a specialist. He will support the goalkeeper group. He will support the goalkeeper coach. He will support a penalty-taking group and take a lot of workload of the other shoulders. And that's why we need an experienced guy.

26:29We need a guy with quality, with experience, and with a right energy and attitude. And we believe that Jason is this guy. How would you make it this? Jack, probably a bit of a surprise to Steele, but it's not a bad idea, is it? The principal of it? Yeah, I mean, it's not the first time the England have had a training goalkeeper, who I would assume is there not so much to play the games, but just to be a really positive part of training and to help the other goalkeepers. I think in Euro 2024, they brought Tom Heaton in basically in the same capacity. So Pickford Ramestell and Dean Henderson were the three keepers for that tournament in Germany, but they had Heaton with them as well, because he's a really respected experienced goalkeeper who brings a lot out of other people and really good in training and all the rest of it. So I would imagine that Steele might be fulfilling a similar function as Heaton did last time. And meanwhile, this time last year, it was Miles Lewis Skelly, grabbing the headlines. He is in the wilderness for us at the moment.

27:29And Nico O'Reilly is the new hot young thing. Is he going to be England starting left back? Do you think Stu? Quite possibly. He's been an outstanding form for some time. He's had a brilliant impact since coming into that Manchester City team. Predominantly, he's a left-back, but he's also excelled in midfield. It's called goals there too, recently, obviously, in the recent Carribean Cup Final. For me, he feels very much like the modern academy player in his profile, these tall, fast, very good technically, a top prospect. We talked earlier about the United players and how quickly things can change. Lewis Skelly's just been through the absolute reverse of that, hasn't he? I know that, because I've spent ages right about 4,000 words on a backgrounder on him last summer, that's never going to see the light of day. But yeah, unfortunately for him, he's out of the picture for Club and Country now. O'Reilly, I'd say, has a great chance to go to the World Cup, his first choice left back, but I really like Lewis Hall. I'm so impressed with him when I see him. I think he's a really good footballer. What's interesting with the two of them is they both, and I guess, like Trent, too,

28:30came through the academy years playing as a midfielder, you know, little one that they look so comfortable at, fallback. But whereas me, what happens to all the academy fallbacks? Where do they go? If, if, if it's the root to be in a first team player at fallback as being an academy midfielder, yeah, I don't know what the endgame is for those other players. But anyway, I think England are in a good position there. Livramento can play left back to right, Jack. So, you know, I feel, I feel England have options there. It's probably a case of who is going to be that kneld on starter. At the minute, I'd probably hang my hat on O'Reilly there. Yeah, I watched Lewis Hall come through the Chelsea Academy. I don't think I ever saw him play a game that left back, so it was a bit of a surprise. But, but he is arguably Jacking as good if not better form as a leftback as O'Reilly at the moment. And O'Reilly's got this versatility, hasn't he? I guess Hall offers you possibly more as an out and out defender. Maybe, yeah, I think O'Reilly will definitely, definitely go. I mean, he's in part of the, the group that's showing up on Saturday morning.

29:31He, you know, he's in conformance with Manchester City, he played different positions. In terms of who actually starts the left back in the World Cup, I think it's pretty open. I think O'Reilly Hall and Livre Mento are probably the three. I don't really know which way it's going to go, but Hall, I'm sure Hall would have been in more squads had he, had he been fit. Like he's beat, you know, I think I'm right and saying he was in circles first squad in like this time last year. But I think he missed, I think he missed all three of the autumn camps with injuries and he's only now come back in. So maybe he's a little bit behind whereas like Livre Mento played really well at left back when they went to Serbia on 5,0 in September. So maybe he's slightly ahead at the moment, but it's a really open competition. I think that left back has been one of the biggest question marks through the Tuckle era. So let's wait and see. Midfield wise, we mentioned Maine's inclusion. He's in there with James Garner, Jordan Henderson and Adam Walton, all of whom it seems are behind Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson. Do you think Jack that it's going to be those two barring injury you were going to line up in England's first game?

30:33Yeah, I think Anderson has been basically the story of this England campaign so far. It's kind of come from nowhere in terms of English senior team. And he's now one of the first names on the team sheet. I think he's compliments Rice really well. He keeps the ball really well. He's really mobile. He's a real arounder. I think I can't see any obvious weaknesses in his game. Those two will definitely start and then the competition is more around Walton, Jordan Henderson, Maine-U, like the other potentially Garner, I guess the other possible central infielders. I'm a really big Adam Walton fan. I totally agree with what Jack said. I think that's the first choice pair in Rice and Anderson. Anderson was great on his debut villa park. Is that Andorra? Yes, yeah, villa park Andorra. Yeah, and I know some people say well, it was any Andorra, but the way he just demanded the ball all the time straight away, I just thought that was really impressive in England. Sure, some people could sort of shrink a little bit in that situation. So yeah, a lot of time for him, but I think Walton should go to, you know, I'm not saying he should start. I just think he's a really good player to have in the squad because, you know, we've used this word a lot pro far.

31:35He has a different profile. It's first thought. It's can I play forward? And I think that's a big thing. And if you're playing against teams with a low block where, you know, you're getting a little bit frustrated, he's just got that ability to kind of play when those disguise passes, it breaks the lines that other players don't play. And I don't think he worries Matt if he gives the ball away. I really like that. He'll sort of still try and play the next one forward. So yeah, I'm really hopeful that he's on the plane. Yeah, great option off the bench, I think, in the conditions that the tournament's going to be played and as well, if he wants somebody to come on and keep the ball for you, you know how good Adam Walton is doing that. All right, we'll take one final break when we come back. We'll talk about who's most likely to feature in a set. Thank you for calling the Bombas Comfort Line. Bombas makes socks, slippers, tees, and underwear made with the highest quality materials. Press one for comfort, two for style, three for donation. You chose style. Bombas is styles for whatever you enjoy. You can run in Bombas, lounge in Bombas, dress them up,

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33:38And what? No better feeling than when everything just clicks. Buy your car today on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply. This is the Athletic FC podcast, proudly sponsored by Betfair. So we've mentioned some of the strikers who might play understudy to Harry Kane this summer. What about those who are going to play around him? We've got Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, and Morgan Rodgers, all in the current squads. Jack, are you only starting one of them, if so, who? Or are you going to be able to make a case for squeezing two of them in there? I suspect that only one of them will start. Tuckle has been really clear. Like he doesn't just want to shoehorn the best players in. He wants players to have very, very specific roles. I think all of them are ultimately competing to be the number 10, although Foden

34:39has played as a false nine for England in the November camp. So I would say just one, and I would say that one would, I mean, at the moment is Rodgers. Rodgers has been kind of the regular starter in the last few months. Obviously Bellingham was, you know, missed the, missed the October squads quite notably. But if I had to bet on the World Cup, I would probably go for Bellingham because I just think Bellingham is, you know, he's sort of, he has proven himself more at international level than the other guys. I mean, we're still waiting to see Palmer and Foden really perform as well for England as they have done for their clubs. I just think it will probably in the NB Bellingham. But in that case, Stuart, and I don't disagree with Jack, but Morgan Rodgers might feel hard done by, right? Because he's a played consistently, not been injured to my knowledge for much of this season. And also has performed fairly consistently for Villa as well, maybe to a degree that the others haven't. Yeah, and he's impressed me when he's played in England shirt. You know, he's done well for England. We're talking here about a lot of games

35:40being played in a short period of time in the World Cup. And if Bellingham starts, there's every chance that Rodgers comes on in that game, you know, it could easily change in the next game. You know, we've seen situations in the past where England players have played regularly in the group stage and then it's flipped for the knockouts. Yeah, I don't think anything's set in staying there. The others are curious for me. Foden, Foden's had a strange season. You know, he had a little purple patch. I want to say, round October and November, he came back to form, it felt like. And he thought Brilliant Foden's back. And he's drifted again now. And that's a worry. Col Parmer's had a curious campaign too. But, you know, with those players, they are elite talents. They're capable, obviously, of moments of brilliance. But I would go along with Jack at the minute. I'd give an obviously Bellingham's got a few fitness concerns to overcome. But I'd go with Bellingham. That would be my thinking going into the World Cup assuming he's fully fit. But, you know, Rodgers is breathing down his neck. And I think that's a really good thing as well. Bellingham knows that that isn't nailed on. He's not the first name on the team sheet

36:41that he might have thought he was a little while back. So, you know, he's got a perform and that's no bad thing. As an available for this particular squad, some talk of Max Downman who goes left there at the door open. For him, it does give me the opportunity, Jack, to crowbar and a mention for his captain Morgan Gibbs White. Might he feel a little hard done by that Harvey Barnes who got the call up and not him, given that Gibbs White has really found his form in the last month or so? Yeah, maybe. I guess Gibbs White is probably in that category of players who, if he hasn't made the extended squad this week, you'd have to say that barring a big injury crisis, he probably won't be involved in the summer, which is shame being because I really like him as a player. I think he brings a huge amount in terms of energy and skill and leadership on the pitch. But at the moment, I think it probably looks like there are other players ahead of him in the packing order. All right, finally then. Let's talk about wingers. Let's have a listen to Adam Krafton talking about Bakaosaka on Monday's FC. This was after Arsenal's Carabao Cup Final defeat to Manchester City.

37:42Yes, he was barely in the game. And I start to just think it feels like a while since I've seen him, you know, really take a game. I love him. I love him, you know, for me for the summer, you know, if I think of England and I think of the right wing, I think it's like one of the only positions I'm not really thinking about. But then I actually think, am I just going off memories? What do you think, Stu? Does he need to improve his form if he's going to keep his place in the starting 11? Yeah, I mean, his numbers aren't what they have been in the past, it's plain to see. It's been strange in that respect. I do worry with Saka that he's been overplayed. He's just been on this continuous cycle of football and looks like he kind of needs a breather and that's not a great situation to go into. Knowing for where he's going to be playing in a number of key games for us, not between now and the end of the season two, but I'd be really surprised if two could move the way from starting with Saka. I think there'd be a lot of trust there with what Saka brings to the team in terms of how England play and what he's given England over an extended period of time.

38:44So, you know, he's not had a terrible season by any stretch, but he hasn't hit the heights that we're used to. You know, I think it's nine goals, seven assists and 42 appearances, all competition. So, those numbers aren't where he'd want to be, but yeah, I still see him as a starter. The real curious one for me and I think Jack and I had a conversation about this age. He's got a scene for cause. Like, who plays on the left wing, Jack? Who's position is that? I would. Yeah, left wing, I mean, I agree with you. I think right wing probably will be Saka. I mean, if he likes the competition with Madaway Kimberwin, but I think it will be Saka in the end. Left wing is really open. I would still go for Rashford, just because I think Rashford on his day is better than Gordon on his day or even Madaway Ki who can play, yeah, obviously Madaway Ki can play both sides, which is a big boost for him. But I just think Rashford, if you can get Rashford, that is absolutely best. He's such a good player. I would take the risk on getting the very best of Marcus Rashford, I think, even though I absolutely accept he's not really delivered for a while in terms of numbers.

39:45Plenty of decisions ahead for Thomas Tuchel then and he might have to make them all again by the end of the season when people pull up in. Let's hope not. Couple of big games for England. Over the next few days then against you're a Guay on Friday night and then against Japan. Next week we'll see who comes out of those with their reputations enhanced. But that's where we're going to leave things for today. Many thanks to Jack and Stu for their expertise. FC returns on Monday for now though. It's goodbye. You've been listening to the Athletic FC podcast. The producers were Jay Beale and John Rogers and the presenter was Matt Davis Adams. The executive producer is AD Morehead to listen to other great Athletic podcast for free, including our dedicated club shows search for the Athletic in all the usual places. The Athletic FC podcast is an Athletic Media Company production and proudly sponsored by Betfair. If you work in university maintenance, Granger considers you an MVP because your playbook ensures your arena is always ready for tip-off.

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