Who will start in England's midfield?

The biggest unanswered question heading into the Euros this summer is who will start alongside Declan Rice in England's holding midfield. And should Gareth Southgate even stick with that formation? Marcus and Luke discuss on today's episode of Lions Watch!
We'll be back with another edition next Thursday - and every Thursday - in the run up to the Euros.
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[@edenholt4394]

City fan but I’d mush rather see Gordon make the England squad then Grealish on current form. Every time I watch Gordon I’m so impressed by how direct he is, very clinical finisher too, and much quicker then grealish. Grealish (since joining city) has become a very cautious player who’s excellent at ball retention and making short incisive passes but he poses very little goal threat or explosiveness

[@G-Man78]

Great breakdown

[@Iron-Bridge]

Agreed with that ☝️💯

[@kimbirch1202]

I like Gordon as well, but Grealish does provide lots of assists. I guess it depends on who the opposition is , and form on the day..

[@cheifwhat]

I'd rather have seen Sancho there. In terms of his techique and ball control, i think he's the best player since Gazza. I don't think he is objectively the best since Gazza, Bellingham and Foden are up there, but his ability with the ball at his feet to beat a player or play a cute pass is second to none

[@leonporter2625]

It's clearly Mainoo, perfect balance & you can see From the cameos in the England team Rice & Bellingham enjoy playing alongside along with others

[@Cat1981England]

Rice as a 6, Bellingham 8 and Foden 10 are all world class in those positions. Might not be their preferred position for 2 of them, but that midfield could compete with anyone

[@Kaiser6376]

Just because Adam Wharton was playing in the championship several months back, it doesn’t mean he can’t be selected. People make the same mistake yet are proven wrong time and time again. There are players in the championship now who could play in the Prem the following weekend and they wouldn’t look out of place, some would even go on to become some of the highest performers such as Bowen.

[@wall-lion94]

Wharton is likely to be a England star but is better off in the u21's for now he wouldn't start over Rice Mainoo Henderson or Barkley in that defensive midfielder spot right now

[@SueMyChin]

Is half a season of PL football enough to see him through to a Euro's final though?

[@ILKILO1]

Who even is that mate

[@keithyork8226]

I’d play Rice, Alexander-Arnold and Bellingham in midfield with Foden, Kane and Saka upfront. Who plays in defence? Lord alone knows!

[@ILKILO1]

TAA in midfield? Lol no thanks

[@kimbirch1202]

I would consider Wharton to partner Rice at midfield base against the very good counter- attacking teams, but am not sure it would be needed in other games.

[@kimbirch1202]

If Gordon and Palmer don't get much playing time, then I'm giving up on England.

[@JamesCM86]

Gordon is now injured, Palmer will be a sub at best. Both young players with limited international experience at a senior level, nothing to give up on. Reassess your expectations, international football is not club football

[@kimbirch1202]

@CMJames That's nonsense. Both players have been on top form , all season , and have both made huge contributions, as well as scoring lots of goals. If Southgate keeps his word, and picks players on form, they would both be on the team sheet.

[@kimbirch1202]

@CMJames Brazil , France and Germany and Spain all have no problems picking young players, without " international experience ". My expectations for England are zero, without including such talented , fearless players.

[@IAmCrumpton]

@@JamesCM86Micheal Owen was 18 and had no international experience before ‘98 and he blew everyone away!

[@reeseprince8]

Underrated trait that saka has is his defensive capabilities

[@GeekyMedia]

First time listener. Great show lads - subscribed!

[@Gerald-said]

"What he did for England " in reference to saka and sterling. You don't win the euro by coefficient points. So, the past doesn't matter. What saka, Henderson, and sterling did in the past will not matter. If palmer is on form play him. Winning is what matters not narrative or political correctness

[@garethjenkins6273]

'Political Correctness' I see what you did there Palmer is white, Saka and Sterling are black. Saka doesn't get in the team because of Political Correctness. He gets in because he is England's best right winger. He was voted England's player of the 2 years running. Must be doing something right. Palmer has been very good in his first season, but he has only played 20 minutes of international football. No one knows if he can do it at international level.

[@reeseprince8]

Grealish Rashford shouldn't go foden and Gordon for me on the left

[@wall-lion94]

💯

[@ILKILO1]

Palmer, Foden or Saka is the bigger question surely? Rice, Mainoo, Bellingham is the only combination with the right balance in that squad.

[@SonnyK248]

The new modern way teams are playing today is to start as a 433 without the ball, and then go three at the back and have one of the fullbacks invert to make a box 4 midfield when you have the ball. Trent can play right back and come inside to play with Rice as the double pivot at the bottom and then Jude and Foden can both play as attacking mids where they do their most damage. And we will absolutely dominate teams in the middle of the park because all 4 of those guys are high energy creative guys who can do damage to teams.

[@jp3622]

Mainoo is the best player I have ever seen. The highlight was when he completely bossed the game vs the giants of cpfc. He is the best player in the world right now and possibly already the best player of all time.

[@tomschmertz100]

Mainoo 100% with Foden dropping into the middle and overlapping runs from Shaw assuming he's fit, or Tyrick Mitchell :)

[@daniellastuart3145]

too early for Mainoo he's performances have been that great or consistent for Man U really and people are forgetting he only 19 never played in Europe and has only played in 22 games not sure the expanse is there for the Euros regardless of all the hype

[@SonnyK248]

Damn dude I really cant tell which team you support honestly 😂

[@JD-hh2qb]

If Jude can defend which he can and others can attack which they can then Jude has to accommodate the other players so we get the trophy. This is football and at the highest levels in order to make the team shine you have to do what best for the team, for club football maybe you can have it built for you but national team is nowhere near the same Same as Foden have to take LW

[@panha-buddhism]

Rice, Foden, Bellingham, Palmer, Grealish

[@mcnetchaiev]

England's midfield problem is down to not wanting to play Bellingham further back, when in fact he's played most of his career there (remember the 4+8+10=22 thing?) and claiming that because he's played further forward recently, Rice can't play in the 6 anymore. Just play our two best midfielders in the double pivot with a 10 ahead of them (take your pick from Foden, Palmer, Maddison etc).

[@christianwithers7335]

I have never heard of the 22 "thing". England need two 6s Rice and. With Kane dropping, then a 10 rather than an 8 is probably more applicable. 6+6+10=22 ? There has to be balance, how much defending will the two 11s do ? Will the 6s have license to dovetail and join attacks ? There are a lot of variables as to which two players are then needed for deep midfield. Bellingham can work at 10 if Kane drops. But if Shearer was at 9 then the 10 could become an 8 with the two 11s joining an out and out 9. Shearer would want crosses from his 11s so they would have to stay pressing instead of covering FB.

[@mcnetchaiev]

@@christianwithers7335 22 was Bellingham's shirt number at Birmingham because he could play 4 (which we'd call a 6) 8 or 10.

[@johnmitchell2269]

Two options really. Rice and Mainoo both playing as 6's with Bellingham as a 10 in a 4-2-3-1 Or Rice 6, C.Gallagher and Bellingham as 8's in a 4-3-3

[@SueMyChin]

Gallagher is 10/10 without the ball but 4/10 with it. He actually kills attacks with and without the ball.

[@kimbirch1202]

I think England need a partner for Rice at the base of midfield who is a strong tackler, and comfortable on the ball. This is the area where they often get over run by good counter- attacking teams.

[@wall-lion94]

Bellingham is the answer he played there for Dortmund, Real play him further forward because they have no main striker we have Kane we also have 2 great no10's in Foden and Palmer who can swap roles one playing on the left then coming in or Saka can play on the left and one goes out on the right

[@kimbirch1202]

@walllion94 I get your thinking , but like to see Bellingham driving forward through midfield, which is his natural game,and which is another tactic missing from Southgates unimaginative set up.

[@wall-lion94]

@@kimbirch1202 Trent inverts from right back into midfield alongside Rice allowing Bellingham to go forward as a box to box 8 Walker Stones Gomez become a back 3 then we've got Saka Palmer and Foden behind Kane

[@kimbirch1202]

@walllion94 I would prefer a back three as well, with two holding midfielders. A flexible 3 2 2 3 system. But I don't think Southgate has had enough time to try it out.

[@wall-lion94]

@@kimbirch1202 we've got 2 friendlies and the players have played like this for their club's there's no big upheaval

[@IAmCrumpton]

I think the real issue is LB! Can’t believe there’s no real left back apart from Shaw who’s injured

[@richardbare9911]

Wildcard... Harvey Elliott

[@kevinb9830]

Mainoo's looked a bit underwhelming lately, would rather have Arnold in there with Rice.

[@JM-1Le-d9p]

He's a right back

[@kevinb9830]

@@JM-1Le-d9p He's played in midfield for Liverpool and England.

[@Footieheritage]

@@kevinb9830who trent arnold who don't know how to defend 😂 yeh right lad

[@kevinb9830]

@@Footieheritage In most games, yes. Mainoo is also shit defensively anyway.

[@daniellastuart3145]

@@JM-1Le-d9p he not a right back

[@gw7120]

Crazy to think soutgate would choose mainoo over Taa or Gallageher loll

[@SueMyChin]

Gallagher is garbage. I bet you're not a Chelsea fan..

[@daniellastuart3145]

wild cards ? Forward Ezay Midfield JWP Defender ,J. Branthwaite

[@drunkflamingolive]

Trent spraying balls to Kane and foden would be amazing but Southgate and the English media hate him for some reason

[@kiriakoz]

Southgate doesn't hate him. He's played in the same position as Kyle Walker and Southgate is conservative, so Walker's superior defensive ability is the reason why he's previously been selected. Personally, I think Trent has improved in that area, but he was being criticised for it on the eve of the previous tournament.

[@BohemianRaichu]

Seems mad to name a Champions League finalist as a wild card, but Sancho.

[@dublin7]

It is such a shame that Man City ruined Kalvin Phillips because Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Kalvin Phillips and Conor Gallagher would have been an ideal quartet to bring to the Euro's.

[@Edyoucation-fe1qq]

Why we overcomplicating this? It’s Rice 6, Bellingham 8, and Foden 10. Gordon left wing.

[@jakelfc3472]

It depends on the wingers and whether Southgate decides England should defend (boringly) as a team to get results as to who starts in midfield. I'm a little bit surprised who starts in midfield is being discussed because even with Bellingham Rashford or Foden in their best positions there is no way of getting round the sitting duck England heading to the Euros.

[@wall-lion94]

Rashford shouldn't even be in the squad on this season's form

[@jakelfc3472]

@@wall-lion94 He was our best player arguably at the last world cup in Qatar, soon to be Bellingham if Southgate has the tournament he and England expect. Unless we can get anything out of our forwards alongside Harry Kane (in a diamond), then starting wingers is going to have to be the only option to bring the best out of the spine of the team, otherwise we're just playing against ourselves formation wise.

[@wall-lion94]

@@jakelfc3472 Foden on the left Saka on the right Kane centre Palmer as the no10 Bellingham as a box to box 8 in the pivot next to Rice the 6 Trent right back inverts so Bellingham can get forward and link with the front 4

[@jakelfc3472]

@@wall-lion94 It could work I imagine however, Foden and Rice would have to play pretty well in playing long passes and staying compact with the team. But I like the idea of Bellingham using 3 AM's ahead of him. Defensively I don't know if Gomez or Stones could cover for TAA.

[@christianwithers7335]

? England have always players "starting wingers"

[@danyale3797]

It's so obvious the answer is Rice holding, Foden and Bellingham either side of him. But it doesn't matter while Southgate's still there!

[@ugonnaaugustineenwereakuh8226]

Are you ruling out sancho who is going to be in a champions league final

[@A11Omar]

Rice, Jude and Mainoo. End of discussion

[@Forestgravy90]

Gibbs-White over Eze and Maddison for backup 8/10 player

[@Ghanaman15]

The right answer is Kobbie Mainoo. All these other options stink

[@sihi5634]

Let me get this straight… don’t play rice as a 6? That is his best position, he played 6 for West Ham and got £100 mil move because of it, yes he plays 8 for Arsenal but that’s only because they don’t have any others at the required level but have 2 sixes. Move Bellingham BACK away from goal also his best role to accommodate this move for rice that also makes no sense and then stick a player in at 10 that does fit there tbf…. OR you could playe rice 6 on his own, he’s probably top 3 in the world in that position, give Bellingham the 10/free role and then play one of Gallagher or Trent at 8. Gallagher if you are likely to have less of the ball and need someone better defensively, Trent if you need creativity to break down a team. Not sure which one is which but the ginger guy is so contradicting, can’t play Trent in CM because he doesn’t play there for Liverpool but happy to play Bellingham at 6…? Pundits do this all the time nowadays, Neville is the king of it, pick scenarios that fit his theories but ignore opposing cases.

[@Cowmageddon]

Harvey Elliott should be in the conversation for the England squad

[@TheFringeOfKuryakin]

Pickford, Trippier, Stones, Branthwaite, Walker, Rice, Alexander Arnold, Foden, Bellingham, Palmer, Kane. (Southgate's 4-2-3-1).

[@wall-lion94]

Big call to leave Saka out

[@TheFringeOfKuryakin]

@@wall-lion94 I know, but I believe Palmer deserves a place and is a more creative forward.

[@wall-lion94]

@@TheFringeOfKuryakin you can fit both in by dropping Trippier and replacing Braithwaite with Joe Gomez play 3 at the back, TAA & Rice in a double pivot Bellingham as a box to box 8 Foden Palmer and Saka behind Kane

[@TheFringeOfKuryakin]

@@wall-lion94 I like that formation but Southgate will stick to his 4-2-3-1 - unfortunately. That's what i based the line up on. Not sure of Joe in the centre. Bellingham has to have the freedom to roam, but Kane has to stay up and keep out of the way, too much dropping deep.

[@wall-lion94]

@TheFringeOfKuryakin we could start as a 4-2-3-1 Gomez would start at left back Walker at centre back Trent would invert from right back leaving Walker Stones Gomez as centre backs Bellingham would be free to get forward while helping out when we lose the ball

[@MrGonetopot]

why are they worried about defensive midfield. We all know Southgate will be playing 9-0-1 formation which will ultimately fail because Kane has all the pace of a tortoise.

[@johannesvonsaaz3987]

Tyrick Mitchell should be the first choice left back

[@wall-lion94]

🤣🤣🤣

[@IAmCrumpton]

He definitely should be in the squad. LB is a big worry for me

[@chrismcgregor272]

England's best squad/formation; Pickford (Ramsdale) (Johnstone) Walker Stones Gomez (Tomori) (Braithwaite) (Colwill) (James) (Shaw) TAA Rice (Barkley) (Mainoo) Saka Grealish (Bowen) (Watkins) (Gordon) Foden Bellingham (Palmer) (Maddison) Kane (Toney)

[@darrylbrookes2780]

im more thinking its a 334 walker stones tomori TAA mainoo rice saka bellingham kane foden i think ya right tho just about with the squad ya have picked barkley ive not seen any of this year i would of put liverpools young lad jones in there maybe Elliott is a good shout for a forward line sub

[@johannesvonsaaz3987]

Pick ford Walker Stones Maguire Mitchell Taa Belingham Saka Palmer Foden Kane

[@daniellastuart3145]

@@johannesvonsaaz3987 Sorry mate you have to have Rice in the 1st team

[@christianwithers7335]

Saka and Grealish as wingbacks ?! 😂

[@chrismcgregor272]

@@christianwithers7335 Have you ever watched either play??? Saka and Grealish both have no problem getting up and down the wings and helping out defensively. Furthermore, they're the best players in the PL at keeping the ball in wide positions. Bowen and Gordon also both well versed.

[@JM-1Le-d9p]

Gordon & Saka on the wings. Bellingham and Kane through the middle. Rice with Henderson/Mainoo/Mount in the midfield.

[@j.s3300]

Holy hell...😂

[@JM-1Le-d9p]

@@j.s3300 so you're going with?

[@j.s3300]

@@JM-1Le-d9p pick the best passer who pretty much plays 6 already

[@JM-1Le-d9p]

@j.s3300 He plays right back though.

[@kevinb9830]

Mount n Henderson lol

[@plusgoodproductions1550]

Dullard Southgate will probably pick: Pickford; Walker Stones Maguire Gomez; Henderson Rice; Saka Bellingham Foden; Kane. Excitement and flowing football, I think not.

[@christianwithers7335]

Great team. If Hendo plays the Deschamps/Pirlo position. Lost his legs but has defensive nous and long passing. England need to pivots

[@kingofracism]

FOOSBALL UNITED MESSIRUNDO PENSCUMDO MICKEMOUSECLUB ENGLAND FODEN BALLER SOCCERUNDO

[@jimtheburrito4080]

Talking about rice like he’s world class is ridiculous

[@reeseprince8]

He is

[@j.s3300]

Mainoo and the man united benefit is insane...the worst United in 30 years

[@JM-1Le-d9p]

It's not ideal, but there is a lack of options in defensive midfield.

[@craigoneill2216]

@@JM-1Le-d9pmaybe don’t play 2 dms no other top country does

[@wall-lion94]

@@JM-1Le-d9p Curtis Jones Ross Barkley Jordan Henderson Adam Wharton

[@Footieheritage]

hating coz u know he a baller 😂 keep crying lad

[@craigoneill2216]

@@Footieheritage based on what? He’s had one or two decent games

[@craigoneill2216]

Mainoos been shite I think it’s safe to say pundits and fans jumped the gun on that one gallaghers as good if not better than him

[@wall-lion94]

Gallagher was terrible against Brazil I guess you want Chilwell at left back as well

[@craigoneill2216]

@@wall-lion94 obviously not he’s a crock barely played this season

[@Footieheritage]

@@craigoneill2216Glalagaher is s**t n can't lace Mainoos boots n he a teen n Mainoo is already a better player n ain't even Galalgers age son 😂

[@reeseprince8]

No chance

[@craigoneill2216]

@@reeseprince8 chance

[@johno9761]

It should be Trent but it won’t be. England outside of Kane literally have no elite passers in their team. Trent is that elite passer in midfield. Rice is a safe passer who goes sideways most of the time and even Bellingham he doesn’t have many flaws but the one he does have is his passing range right now ain’t elite.

[@IAmCrumpton]

Foden and trippier can pass

[@IAmCrumpton]

Always thought Dyer looked better as a real DM than a CB, I’d of been tempted to ask him to try that again and sit behind rice like Partey does. And he’s back playing with confidence

[@1richardlee]

It should be rice, bellingham and elliot.

[@IAmCrumpton]

I’d definitely have Palmer in my 11 on form! Could play rice, Bellingham and Palmer in midfield and keep saka on right , Foden on left. We all know who’s the striker. Full on attack! Haha would be fun! 😂

[@ConorF727]

The most obvious solution is to drop Bellingham into a deeper role. I’ve not been that impressed when I’ve watched him this season, yes he’s scored a lot of goals but Real Madrid don’t have a striker, we have one of the best in the world. Just play him in the position that made Real Madrid want to spend over £100m on him.

[@JM-1Le-d9p]

He is more effective playing further forward

[@ConorF727]

@@JM-1Le-d9pHave you actually watched him this season or are you just looking at his stats? And it’s not just about one player, it’s about combinations. What’s better, Bellingham and Foden or Bellingham and Mainoo?

[@JM-1Le-d9p]

@ConorF727 Both combinations are interesting. Fors and against both. Need to get the correct blend and balance of attack and defence. In the World Cup, initially, it was Rice Bellingham and Mount. Then Henderson came in for Mount.

[@ConorF727]

@@JM-1Le-d9p I just think it makes no sense to be so worried about a position when we have a genuinely world class player who can play there. It’s not like he’d be playing out of position, it’s where he has played most of his career.

[@JM-1Le-d9p]

@ConorF727 In the recent champions league games it was interesting that Ancellotti selected a 3 man midfield choosing from players like Valverde Kroos Modric Camavingha and Tchouameni.