Germany´s preliminary EURO squad

[cusamano]

Mertesacker is shite. Fortunately, he has Khedira and Schweinsteiger, two of the best in the business, to cover.

I think Hummels & Badstuber are Löw´s first choice CB anyway

[SteveO 35]

Are Germany the only nation to have ever had two Benders in the squad ?

[augie]

Are Germany the only nation to have ever had two Benders in the squad ?

No I think engerland has a long history of benders in their squad

[cusamano]

Are Germany the only nation to have ever had two Benders in the squad ?

No I think engerland has a long history of benders in their squad

[safcftm]

That's one hell of a squad, genuinely can't see past them for the title tbh. Amazing how they can keep being successful whilst bringing class players through the system whilst we load our team with "golden generation stars" who flatter to deceive at every tournament and somehow stay in for the next one as people, stupidly, think "well they've been shit every other tournament, maybe they'll be mint now". Could learn a lot from the German system.

We wouldnt be able to match that German squad, and realistically quarter final is the best we can hope for, but I'd love to see a young, vibrant England side get a chance and kick out the likes of Terry, Gerrard and Lampard who have never been good enough- of the major names I'd only keep Cole and Rooney. Something like:

Hart
Walker Richards Cahill Cole
Walcott Cleverley Barry Young
Welbeck Sturridge

Rooney to come in for Sturridge when back from his ban
Bench of: Foster, Baines, Jones, Chamberlain, Milner, Carroll, Smalling

Lots of pace, movement and fluidity there, just hope Hodgson goes with something similar to that rather than wasting time on the ones who have shown themselves up time after time

[cusamano]

Hart
Walker Richards Cahill Cole
Walcott Cleverley Barry Young
Welbeck Sturridge

good joke!

[safcftm]

Hart
Walker Richards Cahill Cole
Walcott Cleverley Barry Young
Welbeck Sturridge

good joke!

tbh I was going to put Chamberlain in but I think Walcott's greater experience will be useful. I'm not one of those who slags Walcott off all the time, I think he is a decent enough player when used properly, he just doesnt suit Arsenal when playing out wide because you stay so far up the pitch that teams drop back and theres no space for him to exploit.

The main thing with the side I want to see at the euros is the ability for the players to change position during the game, Walcott fits in with that as he can start out wide right, can swap with Young and try from the left or can allow Sturridge to go right and he can move up front. Welbeck (who can go left or upfront), sturridge (who can go left, right or upfront), Walcott (right, left or upfront), Young (left, right or upfront), Cleverley (centre mid, in behind the striker, on the wing)- theres a lot of fluidity there and it would give teams something to think about- in a side like that I think Walcott can cause trouble, you can never turn off when he's around and you'd never know where he'll pop up next. Certainly in the games against France and the Ukraine I expect us to be sitting back, Walcott would love a bit of that imo

[augie]

Are Germany the only nation to have ever had two Benders in the squad ?

No I think engerland has a long history of benders in their squad

I threw out that hook last night and thought that some of the "locals" would bite but got no takers

[skipper]

Hart
Walker Richards Cahill Cole
Walcott Cleverley Barry Young
Welbeck Sturridge

good joke!

Cleverley as well wasn't he the reason Paul Scholes got out of retirement?

@cusamanao, how did Germany manage to lose against France?

[cusamano]

@cusamanao, how did Germany manage to lose against France?

the starting XI were:
Wiese
Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Aogo
Khedira, Kroos
Reus, Özil, Schürrle
Klose

everyone in bold is not first choice
key player like Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Neuer were rested
it was just a friendly and Löw tested some players

[SteveO 35]

Are Germany the only nation to have ever had two Benders in the squad ?

No I think engerland has a long history of benders in their squad

I threw out that hook last night and thought that some of the "locals" would bite but got no takers

I was too busy trying to think who else was in the same squad as Graeme Le Saux

[Tomáš]

strong and balanced squad. Still 4 have to leave.

Cheers,
Thomas

P.S.: Marin transfer the biggest joke since a long time in German footie....