Eze seems to shine in a more attacking role where he can work his magic inside an attack minded left sided wing-back.

Who do we have on the left for England who could fulfill that Mitchell type role?

Edit. I assume Luke Shaw but he’s doubtful fitness wise.

Edited by XKudu (06 Jun 2024 9.44am)

I think Toney shaves it over Watkins. He has that international swagger and confidence whereas I think the occasion may get to Watkins more.

…and as mentioned above there’s penalties.

Personally, I think Kane is the only international quality striker of the three, so let's just hope he stays fit. If it's between Toney and Watkins I'd take the former because he just looks a bit meaner and tougher and less likely to get bullied.

England players don't have swagger and confidence. It's drilled out of them.

Palace since 19 August 1972. Palace 1 (Tony Taylor) Liverpool 1 (Emlyn Hughes)

Yeah completely.

Watkins was anonymous on Monday when they parked the bus but I had the feeling that if Kane had been playing he would have dropped deeper and tried to involve himself in the play more whereas Watkins seemed content to just stay on the line where the defenders kept him quiet.

Toney has been in poor form but if I had to rely on one of them to produce a moment of inspiration against a tight defence, I think I'd still pick him.

Like you say though, a lot rests on Kane staying fit.

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold...

If it were me, I would start the game playing Bellingham in his club position up front in a Palace style attacking approach. I would keep Kane on the bench and release him every game after say an hour, just when a very harassed defence will be tiring. When Kane comes on I would obviously shuffle our other very adaptable players to fit.
Kane is top dollar, but probably a bit tired from a long season. He is still one of the worlds best and in this role he would decimate any defence.
Bellingham, Foden, Saka, Palmer, Eze, Grealish, Arnold, Rice, Gallagher, Wharton, Mainoo.......a great group of very talented younger players. And these are all forward thinking players.
Southgate has got a great squad if he takes risk and attacks. Just like us.

Edited by dreamwaverider (06 Jun 2024 11.28am)

Edited by dreamwaverider (06 Jun 2024 11.30am)