I don't think we've had a better squad of players to choose from for a long, long time. We might have had a better first 11 on paper in regards to names alone some years back, considering there was the likes of Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, Ferdinand, Terry and Ashley Cole, who were all world-class for years for their clubs. But I don't think for a moment they were a better team.
I should imagine there will be a few difference in most people's 11's which will prove my point about squad depth. I've gone for -
Pickford
James
Stones
Maguire
Chilwell
Rice
Phillips
Bellingham
Foden
Sterling
Kane
Subs:
Ramsdale
White
Alexander-Arnold
Mount
Grealish
Saka
Rashford
Sterling is fortunate to get in there right now, but I can't forget his record for England over the last couple of years regardless of his City form. Choosing James over Alexander-Arnold was also really tough, as the latter has more natural talent, but I think James is just more solid overall. Not easy to leave out Kyle Walker either who is still top class and has rarely let England down. Never been a fan of Maguire but you can't say he's ever not perfectly decent in an England shirt alongside Stones.
If you want to be a bit more attacking you could drop Foden into midfield and play him centrally, and replace Phillips with either Grealish, Saka or Rashford.
Couldn't find a place currently on my bench for Walker, Shaw, Henderson, Smith-Rowe, Tomori, Gallagher or Abraham, which shows the strength of the squad. Sancho will come good too sooner or later and be right back in the mix.
I should imagine there will be a few difference in most people's 11's which will prove my point about squad depth. I've gone for -
Pickford
James
Stones
Maguire
Chilwell
Rice
Phillips
Bellingham
Foden
Sterling
Kane
Subs:
Ramsdale
White
Alexander-Arnold
Mount
Grealish
Saka
Rashford
Sterling is fortunate to get in there right now, but I can't forget his record for England over the last couple of years regardless of his City form. Choosing James over Alexander-Arnold was also really tough, as the latter has more natural talent, but I think James is just more solid overall. Not easy to leave out Kyle Walker either who is still top class and has rarely let England down. Never been a fan of Maguire but you can't say he's ever not perfectly decent in an England shirt alongside Stones.
If you want to be a bit more attacking you could drop Foden into midfield and play him centrally, and replace Phillips with either Grealish, Saka or Rashford.
Couldn't find a place currently on my bench for Walker, Shaw, Henderson, Smith-Rowe, Tomori, Gallagher or Abraham, which shows the strength of the squad. Sancho will come good too sooner or later and be right back in the mix.
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