England Thread - England vs Wales - 8/10 20:00 (ITV)

[ALF]

From Birmingham Mail:

England manager Gareth Southgate has explained why he left Aston Villa star Jack Grealish out of his 24-man squad, and said: "With Jack, the simple answer is Mason Greenwood."

Villa's captain has learned he's now SIXTH choice behind United duo Greenwood and Marcus Rashford, Dortmund ace Jadon Sancho and City pair Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.

The 24-year-old's latest snub mirrors the previous England squad back in November 2019, with Southgate detailing once again how he sees Villa's main man as a wide player or a No.10 - and not a midfielder.

"I know Villa have played him as an eight," he added, "I don’t see him in that role for us. He could play as a 10 but we haven’t played with a 10. But, also, some of those other players I’ve talked about would be very good 10s as well.

"He’s a talent, there’s no doubt about that. But I think Mason Greenwood’s performances… the others have been with us for a long time and have produced and performed well for us. Mason’s form, his goal scoring ability and his maturity was impossible to leave him out.

"You’re cautious at times to put a young player in too early and we’ve looked at Phil for a long time and thought is now the right time?

"But I think we’re four get togethers away from a European Championship and we felt now it’s important to involve Mason and Phil with us, let’s see how they adapt, we think they’re good enough. They’re going to provide massive competition for places."

As for Southgate, the uproar following his stunning Grealish omission was simply deafening, with supporters and pundits far and wide in total shock at the selection - especially given the fact the Three Lions coach picked Leeds' Kalvin Phillips and, prior to his guilty verdict, Harry Maguire.

"Jack is unfortunate," Southgate added, clearly irked by the Grealish question, "and I’ll be getting crucified by the Villa fans who’ve still never forgiven me for leaving for Middlesbrough anyway, but c’est la vie. I did pick Tyrone Mings so it’s not a club thing."

It's weak reasoning but then I suppose he can't really say 'he's too much of a diving shithouse, we're trying to play good football and he constantly breaks up play'.

[bodacious benny]

“Stunning omission” might be pushing it a bit

I’d say slightly surprising.

[biggeordiedave]

“Stunning omission” might be pushing it a bit

I’d say slightly surprising.

Agreed. I was expecting him to be picked, but then with Southgate's comments about where he would play him and the other players he has in that position, then it makes perfect sense not to pick him. Villa fans go on like he's the best player in the country.

[biggeordiedave]

Grealish is now in the squad with Coady and Maitland-Niles after Winks and Rashford pull out.

[bodacious benny]

Not exactly sure why Winks got a call up in the first place, other than because he plays for Spurs.

[ALF]

Not exactly sure why Winks got a call up in the first place, other than because he plays for Spurs.

Very good player in a possession based team.

[Colly]

Been through all the age group teams too which means a lot to Southgate, rightly so in my view.

[bodacious benny]

Not exactly sure why Winks got a call up in the first place, other than because he plays for Spurs.

Very good player in a possession based team.

I know there are some players who are good without every really standing out and you appreciate them much more when you see them live in the flesh, but I still think he’s average personally. Probably benefits for England having poor options in Cm too.

[ALF]

Very good player in a possession based team.

I know there are some players who are good without every really standing out and you appreciate them much more when you see them live in the flesh, but I still think he’s average personally. Probably benefits for England having poor options in Cm too.

I think as a deep lying midfielder he is great. He'll never score loads or get loads of assists but he's always available to receive the ball from the CB's and move it on to creative players.

[UlversToon]

Foden & Greenwood both sent home for breaching quarantine rules apparently.

[biggeordiedave]

Foden & Greenwood both sent home for breaching quarantine rules apparently.

Bringing girls back to the hotel room apparently! How f***ing thick can you get?

[Blue & Maroon]

Foden & Greenwood both sent home for breaching quarantine rules apparently.

Shitbags

[krully]

Foden is a very naughty boy, has a kid and wife apparently

[biggeordiedave]

I love that Southgate very deliberately referred to them as "boys" in his press conference I will never understand players doing this sort of stuff, especially Greenwood who had just received his first call up and was singled out by Southgate as being a player that had to be in the squad. Just play the f***ing game and follow the rules.

[Remember Colo]

Not the first athletes punished for similar behaviour lately either. A Seattle Seahawks rookie got released upon him sneaking a woman in (badly disguised in Seahawks gear). Wrecked his career before it even started.

[overseasTOON]

Czech Republic have created a brand new 24 player squad to play Scotland tonight.

Watch Scotland screw this up!

[Don Sholeone]

It just baffles me, these lads are absolutely loaded and can have their pick of a whole sea of women, so why the f*** are they so desperate to get laid? Can they not go 1 pissing week without dippin their wick.

[overseasTOON]

Czech Republic have created a brand new 24 player squad to play Scotland tonight.

Watch Scotland screw this up!

Ah for fucks sake!

This is why we can't have nice things Scotland.

[bodacious benny]

I love that Southgate very deliberately referred to them as "boys" in his press conference I will never understand players doing this sort of stuff, especially Greenwood who had just received his first call up and was singled out by Southgate as being a player that had to be in the squad. Just play the f***ing game and follow the rules.

Some players really are absolutely brain dead. But lots of ‘normal’ 18 to twenty something men are so suppose why would footballers be any different.

[biggeordiedave]

I love that Southgate very deliberately referred to them as "boys" in his press conference I will never understand players doing this sort of stuff, especially Greenwood who had just received his first call up and was singled out by Southgate as being a player that had to be in the squad. Just play the f***ing game and follow the rules.

Some players really are absolutely brain dead. But lots of ‘normal’ 18 to twenty something men are so suppose why would footballers be any different.

I'll admit that if I was earning their money at that age then I would have made some absolutely terrible choices