Who should England take to the World Cup?

Shipping, building, admin, payroll, marketing, you're managing all the things.

So why waste time sending important documents the old fashioned way?

Mail and ship when you want, how you want, with stamps.com.

Print postage on demand 24.7 and schedule pickups from your office or home.

Save up to 90% with automated rate shopping.

That's why over 1 million small businesses trust stamps.com.

Go to stamps.com and use code podcast to try stamps.com risk-free for 60 days.

When people want the truth about a product, they don't just search, they go to Reddit.

Whether they're debating the best espresso machine or the right B2B software,

redditors are there to make a decision.

With Reddit ads, you can reach these high-intent buyers right where their research is happening.

Join the conversation and grow your business at business.reddit.com slash podcasts.

Valid for new Reddit ad accounts only, only valid once per business.

Additional terms apply.

See business.reddit.com for more information.

What'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.

Very 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.

When 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.

So, 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

took 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.

In 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.

And 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.

I 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.

And 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

to support you, which is especially helpful

at your managing teams internationally or planning to grow.

The fastest growing companies in the world

use Pebble to stay organized and reduce risk

and founders use it to scale faster

without feeling like they need to become HR

or compliance experts.

The bottom line, Pebble simplifies global people operation

so you can spend more time growing your business

and supporting your team.

Pebble's new standard discounted price at $399

per month per employee helps you contain costs.

So go to highpebble.ai to get a free estimate.

That's h-i-p-e-b-l.ai for a free estimate.

One last time, highpebble.ai.

Instacart understands that not all bananas are created equal.

Some people want them green.

Some people want them ripe.

Some people want them ready right now.

With Instacart's preference picker now available

at most retailers, you can choose how you like certain items

like banana ripeness, deli thickness, even avocados

before 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.

Presumably, 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

ahead 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.

Yeah, 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?

He 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,

and 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.

I 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

or 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

to 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,

pretty 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

before 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

on 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,

now 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.

And 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

back 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.

We 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.

And 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,

came 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.

He, 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?

Yeah, 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.

He 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,

dress them down, but always give back in Bombas

because with every item purchased, another is donated.

Bombas, comfort worth calling for.

Go to bombas.com slash audio and use code audio

for 20% off your first purchase.

That's B-O-M-B-A-S dot com and use code audio.

What'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.

Carvana is so easy, just a click, and we've got ourselves a car.

See?

So many cars.

That's a click-tastic inventory.

And check out the financing options.

Payments to fit our budget.

I mean, that's clickonomics 101.

Delivery to our door.

Just a hop, skip, and a click away.

And 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

has 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

being 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

that 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.

Yes, 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.

So, 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.

Plenty 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.

And Granger is your trusted partner

offering the products you need all in one place

from HVAC and plumbing supplies to lighting and more,

and all delivered with plenty of time left on the clock.

So your team always gets the win.

Call 1-800-GRANGER, visit Granger.com, or just out by Granger.

For the ones who get it done.

When was the last time someone actually looked at your mobile apps

full engagement lifecycle?

One signal used by one in four app publishers

and powering over 200,000 apps

is offering a free mobile engagement lifecycle audit

for mobile first companies.

You'll get a personalized scorecard

across five key stages of engagement

with zero setup or data integration required.

See where users are dropping off,

where you're performing well,

and exactly what to fix.

Claim your free lifecycle audit

at 1signal.com slash podcast.

Shipping, burying, admin,

payroll, marketing.

You're managing all the things.

So why waste time sending important documents

the old-fashioned way?

Mail and ship when you want,

how you want, with stamps.com.

Print postage on-demand 24-7

and schedule pickups from your office or home.

Save up to 90% with automated rate shopping.

That's why over 1 million small businesses

trust stamps.com.

Go to stamps.com and use code podcast

to try stamps.com risk-free for 60 days.