I'd forgotten that Still wouldn't have Trippier on the left but it does make some sense on set pieces I suppose. Given we never look like scoring from open play maybe it's actually a good decision
If he wants Trippier in for set pieces, no problem, play him at right back and play Chilwell or Shaw.
Trippier had a great season by all accounts at Aletico Madrid and although he's primarily a right-back, according to whoscored he did play a few games at left back or left wing back in Atletico's title winning campaign. We all know Trippier has a much better delivery than Chilwell or Shaw too which seems like a good attacking choice to me? I would've had Grealish or Sancho over Sterling personally, can't see I get the massive furore over Trippier though. Shaw and Chilwell are hardly world class full backs. They're solid if inconsistent left-backs but hardly game changers. I watched James Justin, a right-footed right-back converted to left-back perform to a much better and more consistent standard than Chilwell ever did for Leicester this season, so it's hardly a massive leap to think Trippier could be a better left back option than Chilwell for England.
That is a bizarre selection at left-back, and with Tyrone Mings as well. I still think England will have too much for Croatia today, but I think it's decisions like this that's going to cost England when they face one of the very top teams in the knockouts.
It's not as bad as I thought it would be!!! I was thinking he'd go 5 at the back with 2 DMC, and only 3 attackers. No reason for Trippier over Chilwell/Shaw (unless they are both being rested?) Chilwell looked class towards the end of the season with Chelsea and is looking like he'll progress into a world class left back. GK: Pickford probably one of the worst goalkeepers England have had in my lifetime, but the competition isn't really strong. He hasn't let Southgate down yet so can see why he is picked. Ben White > Mings for me. I'm a big fan of Sancho, but he hasn't looked great in his England cameos, so can also see why he is on the bench. Could argue that he'll be more effective in this tournament as an impact sub. I would have picked Grealish over Mount or Foden. I can see why Gareth has gone for two DMCs in this game. A draw isn't the worst result (especially given that 3 teams could qualify), while a defeat would be a bad start to the tournament. That Croatia team is quite old...
Our fans all said the same about James Justin I'm sure... I don't know how Shaw or Chilwell have suddenly been elevated to world class players now they've not been picked. Trippier is the better player of the 3. Whether or not he's the better left back I can't say I know, given I've never seen him play there, but it's hardly put of the realms of possibility. In recent years its become more and more common since the days of Lahm to slot into the opposite full-back position with ease. Really not getting why people think the Trippier pick is such a scandal after the fantastic season he's had.
Wouldn't say any of the left backs are world class but definitely better to have a left footer down that side for balance. Trippier isn't a good enough player to warrant being played out of position when you have the two natural left backs there imo.
Southgate has his scapegoat in Sterling but He's made same mistake as Pep made in Porto, playing a badly out of form Sterling
He can also be an absolute liability and calamity and fall apart and just lose his head once a winger has the better of him. As Chelsea fans well saw over the several winter months. Chilwell is one of the streakiest/most inconsistent players I've ever seen at Leicester. Goes from a sublime run of form to an atrocious run of form with rarely anything in between. I'd far far rather have the greater reliability of Trippier.
Could say the same thing about James Justin or Phillips Lahm or Joshua Kimmich. Full-backs cut inside in 2021. It's not the 90s anymore.
You couldn’t. JJ had played both sides before he set foot on our turf. But we’re not discussing other players, the question is can Trippier do it? It’d be nice if he could effectively. I do have a feeling that he won’t be asked to play as a fullback. Southgate has a tendency to see ideas implemented by other managers and try to utilise them himself. I could see him wanting Trippier to try to play a Cancelo role. That makes the most sense to me anyway.
Why? I'm not comparing them in terms of ability and I was talking to a Leicester fan about a specific style of player he would be aware of.
