By Rhys Jaggar:
At least that is my take on Friday night.
I watched 40 mins of U17 semi-final vs Brazil and what was clear was that they wanted 11 players comfortable with the ball, 4+ good dribblers, 4+ playing killer passes.
Possession leading to chances is, I think,the principle. Meaningful passes, off-the-ball movement providing options, pace on the flanks opening defences.
This I think is the template England are using for all junior national sides. at least when in possession.
I still think last night there was too much sideways and backwards passing, but the Stones/Maguire to Bertrand link ups were synonymous with the new template. A central defender dribbling out, playing a pass Scholes or Gerrard would have been happy with and a marauding wing back being at the opponents 18 yard line with attacking options.
But on the basis that the template works in the age groups, there is a case for going young and picking 23 who can play to that template next summer.
Far too early to say, but:
Butland, Pickford, Hart;
Maguire, Stones, Jones, Cahill/Smalling, Gomez
Walker, Trippier, Bertrand, Rose
Dier, Henderson, Loftus-Cheek, Winks, Dele, Lallana
Rashford, Sterling, Kane, Vardy, Carroll
Might be 23 to offer a variety of options, formations and just enough seniors, too.
Myles says:
A balanced squad !
Winks is a Bundesliga player, definitely.
One of the guys I didn’t miss was the big-hearted yeoman we call Jordan Henderson.