by South Coast Royal »
26 Jan 2026 16:17
Watching Arsenal yesterday got me thinking about the World Cup and how our best team are shaping up.
The keeper Pickford is fine , albeit unlikeable but good enough.
Right-back-Livramento or James?
I'm not that impressed by Livramento but James has been very good when he plays and when he plays is the issue.
Trent would be in my side if he getts some games but I don't expect him to be in Tuchel's
Left-back-Too early for O'Reilly or Lewis- Skelley?
Too late for Luke Shaw?
Centre-backs-Regular pick Jon Stones is always injured and doesn't play much.
Konsa has done ok and the same with Guehi with neither being outstanding
Surely Maguire is now past it and Southgate is no longer the manager.
Midfield is probably our strongest area at least in terms of numbers even if it lacks a bit of creativity and the full-on running everywhere by Rice and Bellingham may not be fully suited to the conditions.
If Wharton goes to another club in this window we might have a better idea of whether he is as good as he sometimes looks.
Eze unfortunately isn't getting much game time
Central striker-obvious but everything crossed that he doesn't get injured.
Wide strikers-favourites at the moment appear to be Saka and Gordon.
Saka is almost bound to start (and hopefully stays on his feet more than he usually does) and as I put up under another topic he hasn't provided an assist for a year in the Premier League which is slightly concerning.
Gordon certainly has a bit of pace but, like Saka, goes to ground a bit quickly and he hasn't scored a goal in open play for a year in the Premier League.
He also can be a bit reckless.
I will probably have bets on Spain and France who both appear strong and capable in their styles when it comes to playing in high temperatures.
Brazil seem like a bit of a mess but Argentina will probably be competitive.
Germany surely doesn't currently have the squad to do their usual at coming good in tournaments.
Portugal and Holland have a number of good players but do they operate well enough as a team?
Not long now with 5 months or so to go and although not that excited yet I expect it once again to be a good tournament as it usually is.
