Akinfenwa clearly watches mainly Liverpool, how he debated so hard for Elliot is mad😂😭 Gallagher, Sancho & ESR have to go ahead of him

I can’t lie Smith Rowe has been quality this season but unfortunately to many good players in the England squad but I don’t know how they making a case for Harvey Elliot but not for Smith Rowe

How Jarrod Bowen doesn’t get a mention is beyond me. Second most combined goals and assists (for an english player) in the premier league only behind Harry Kane. Carried West Ham on his back at times. Great work rate and one of the best wingers in the PL at the moment. Shame about his slight injury set back.

Akinfenwa kind of killed this - can’t really have a debate when somebody just shouts over and interrupts.

How were they debating rashford going so intensely whilst hardly mentioning Sancho. It’s a no brainer, between rash/Sancho you pick Sancho every day of the week.

They’re logic was defeated by themselves. Not picking Phillips because he’s injured and not played, however picking Chillwell, who is currently injured and not playing…

Tammy Abraham goes all day long for me, he’s done amazing in his first season in Italy and saved Roma a lot but other than Kane we need a tall, fairly fast proper No.9 Striker and granted Kane isn’t the fastest nor can he dribble as well as the wingers they selected but we need good old fashioned strikers and we need at least 2 incase Kane gets injured or struggles to score

How has ward prowse not made it. He’s not just playing amazing. He’s dictating games with a Southampton team. He is a very special midfielder in my opinion and should start for England, let alone make the squad

What a joke, they debated so much for harvey elliot who hasn’t even played consistently or scored any goals but completely left smith rowe out who is arsenal’s top goal scorer

No way they’ve picked Harvey Elliot over James Ward-Prowse 🤦‍♂️

It's a disgrace that they've not included James Ward-Prowse, he offers so much in the big games. They need his set piece quality in the big games.

I am from Spain and I am so glad Maguire is going with England, one more player for the other team

As Liverpool fan, it's actually funny how Elliot even get into the debate 😅 I love him a lot but nah, not this season, if he start every game next season before the world cup, then maybe he'll get into the debate, but nah, not now. Gallagher also has a problem, he's great this season but what happen if next season, he go back to Chelsea and didn't play a single game, it will be depending on predicting their gametime next season. Ward Prowse go for me

These guys really started off with 4 right backs in a 23 man squad …

They compromised this whole debate by adding Elliot, unless he's starting every game next season, whether that be at RCM or RW, he's definitely not going to be considered.

So Phillips is back in training and possibly ready for the next league game and you don’t take him because “he’s injured”; but you take Chillwell who has had an ACL injury (a well known career ender!) despite not proving his fitness? Get your argument straight Bayo.

Glad to see the use of HEATED is back again Sky 😂🔥

Unless Rashford makes the greatest turn around in history there's no way he get's into this squad

Heskey is a must, we need goals from somewhere

Rory is class. Love his content and how well-spoken he is. Would love to see him on more!

The fact that they didn’t even consider smith Rowe is criminal

Love how they debating between Smith Rowe and Elliot/Sancho when Smith Rowe has literally outperformed both of them

I'm Scottish but I'm a football fan who knows the game and listens and takes on information. He only played trippier the first game against Croatia at left back because he was up against player who always looked to cut in on his left foot so with trippier at left back he could natural shape his body and step across the player and cut him out with his right foot

How is shaw not going , 4 right backs and 1 left back is beyond me

My guy emile just has to be there what he has done this season is insane

How did they pick Harvey Elliot who has made 11 appearances in all competitions over the last TWO seasons but just dismissed Jarrod Bowen without discussing him 🤦‍♂️

Unless Kalvin is injured - he is 100% getting in that squad. He is critical - played every game in the Euros as a starter and was Englands player of the season. It would be madness if they didnt take him

I am so happy now to see Adebayo THE LEGEND here, at Saturday Social

What a load of top 6 club bias waffle this was. Harvey Elliot 🤣 Akinfenwa would probably still take Walcott. Shocking

Thanks for having me on. Loved this!

Rory is spot on, especially with the Harry Maguire stuff. No way in hell he deserves to do

Shambles but lucky for them FIFA is soon to expand squads to 26. In this event, Sancho, Bowen, and JWP go and then I’d be tempted to throw in Gallagher and/or Phillips and/or ESR for some of the guys they’ve already got in the team. But ya, Elliott and Rashford are you having a laugh

Elliot over Gallagher? And no ESR in contention for that spot? That's ridiculous

Glad to see a Legend like Akinfenwa on the show. I'd like to see him as a regular studio host somewhere or a pundit casting games and intimidating whoever is calling games with him.

I am here after watching england's friendly against switzerland and I can say that gallagher was the biggest threat for the opposition. That guy is just top level. He is so energetic. This england team has so many top players now, it must be really difficult for southgate to pick his team.

How does Dier not even get a mention? Best English defender this season

Harvey Elliott? LOOOOOL how is he even in this😭

For me one of the names that wasn’t mentioned is Jarrod Bowen, if he maintains form from now until the World Cup squad gets picked, he has to go ahead of some of those names…

Honestly the disrespect to not even give James Maddison a magnet. He has the most G/A out of any English midfielder this season and has been Leicester’s only good player. Does he go to the World Cup? Maybe not, but he has to be in the conversation.

*MY WC 2022 ENGLAND PICKS…* GK: Dean Henderson GK: Aaron Ramsdale RB/RCB: Kyle Walker RB/RWB: Trent Alexander-Arnold CB: John Stones CB: Harry Maguire CB: Fikayo Tomori CB: Adam Webster LB/LCB: Tyrick Mitchell LB/LWB: Ben Chilwell DM/CB: Declan Rice DM/CM: Kalvin Phillips CM: James Ward-Prowse CM: Jude Bellingham AM/CM: Mason Mount AM/ST: Ollie Watkins W/RWB: Callum Hudson-Odoi W/LWB: Bukayo Saka W/AM: Jack Grealish W/AM: Phil Foden ST/W: Raheem Sterling ST/W: Jarrod Bowen ST (Captain): Harold Kane Only 2 GKs? Yes. Walker can step in if absolutely necessary, but 3rd GKs are basically pointless for such a small tournament. *FORMATIONS* • 4-2-3-1 • 3-5-2 *LINEUPS (Backup options in brackets)* 4-2-3-1 = Possession GK: D. Henderson (A. Ramsdale) RB: K. Walker (T. Alexander-Arnold) RCB: J. Stones (H. Maguire) LCB: F. Tomori (A. Webster) LB: T. Mitchell (B. Chilwell) RDM: J. Ward-Prowse (K. Phillips) LDM: D. Rice (J. Bellingham) RAM: P. Foden (J. Bowen) CAM: O. Watkins (M. Mount) LAM: J. Grealish (R. Sterling) ST: H. Kane (-) 3-5-2 = Counter-Attacking GK: A. Ramsdale (D. Henderson) RCB: J. Stones (K. Walker) CB: H. Maguire (A. Webster) LCB: F. Tomori (T. Mitchell) RM: T. Alexander-Arnold (C. Hudson-Odoi) RCM: K. Phillips (J. Ward-Prowse) CM: M. Mount (-) LCM: J. Bellingham (D. Rice) LM: B. Chilwell (B. Saka) RS: J. Bowen (P. Foden) LS: R. Sterling (J. Grealish)

Harvey Elliot over Smith Rowe. What are these guys talking about?

The fact that soo many people in the comments are rooting for ESR shows how good he's been this year. Am a chelsea fan and I still will take him over Gallagher

As a Chelsea fan: ESR has to go over one of the FIVE CENTER BACKS why r u bringing 5?! Gallagher also has to go over

Have got to agree with Bayo!! He analysed the selection of the England 23 perfectly!,, Exceptionally astute in his analysis, considered views, and empathetic thoughts on the individuals involved!! 👍🏻

Harvey Elliott over jwp, Gallagher and Phillips🤣🤣🤣🤣how did these guys get on this show

Harvey Elliot is a great talent but to pick him over Gallagher is criminal. Gallagher has been the spine of Palace this season on his own, work rate through the roof. Got to go for me.

Picking Harvey Elliot over ward prowse 💀💀

This was to entertaining 😂😂 but smith Rowe is a monster and should be included

Ward-Prowse has to be there

Get Bayo on The Kick Off, the banter would be insane 😂❤️

GK: Pickford, Henderson, Ramsdale (Ramsdale starts) RB: Trent, Walker CB1: Mings, White CB2: Stones, Tomori LB: Chilwell, Shaw CDM: Rice, Henderson CM1: Bellingham, Philips CAM: Grealish, Mount LW: Phoden, Sancho ST: Kane, Abraham RW: Sterling, Saka

Phillips gets picked regardless, whether he’s injured up until next November, playing in championship or premier league England best player over last 18 months

Phillips has to go. England have looked so much worse without him in that double pivot, see the Hungary game. He is integral to the way Southgates team plays.

As nice as it sounds in principle you can’t pick a complete 23 on form alone every time. You need to build a team chemistry at the same time. It’s a balance - the best teams know each other inside out.

How can Chilwell be a guaranteed pick despite injury but Kalvin Philips miss out because of his injury. There was a lot of contradicting going on here

Ramsdale-Pickford-Pope Trent-James-Walker-Maguire- Stones- Tomori- Chilwell-Shaw- Rice-Bellingham- Henderson-JWP- Mount- Foden- Grealish- Sterling- Saka- Sancho- Abraham-Kane. 23 for me. Harsh with Philips- ESR- White and Rashford but that´s it for me.

Bringing 4 rbs would be a huge mistake, they’re all quality but doesn’t give the right squad balance.

James ward prowse must go, even if its to come off the bench , offers something different to all the rest

Arsenal fan here I think this one would make more sense GK : Ramsdale - Pickford - Pope FB : Trent - James - Shaw - Chilwell - Walker CB : White - Stones - Maguire - Coady MIDFIELD : Rice - Henderson - Bellingham - Gallagher WINGER : Saka - Sterling - Foden - Smith Rowe - Grealish FORWARD : Kane - Abraham

So many attacking options for southgate that unlike previous managers he doesnt have to pick players bang out of form like rashford because of a lack of alternatives...but something tells me he will...and someone who has had a fine season and will be chest out like Abraham will be ignored..which increases the chances of kane running on empty because of a lack of like for like replacement for 20-30 mins in games

I think a problem with Luke Shaw is he’s been lumped in with Maguire and Rashford as having poor form after the Euros but he’s not been anywhere near as bad as them. He’s not been good but he’s been mostly fine.

Loving the World Cup content. Words can’t describe how excited I am for Qatar 2022 🇶🇦⚽️

as a Scotland fan i couldnt care less but Jadon Sancho should definitely be on that list.

Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luke Shaw, Aaron Cresswell, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Ben White, Fikayo Tomori, Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Jude Bellingham, Mason Mount, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho Harry Kane, Tammy Abraham

I wish sky did these kind of things as a more casual podcast setting instead of having ‘rush them along for answers’

This is great. More England International team content please.

They put through chilwell way too quickly. He’s been injured all season and luke shaw has done so well for England. Yes he’s not been as good for Man U but he’s part of that core group that Southgate has built that can be awful for club but play well for England. I don’t know whether it’s how much the shirt means or if it’s Gareth’s system but we saw evidence that Luke shaw can still play well for England. He saved the game against Switzerland. For me tripper and shaw in chilwell out

When they had their 23 initially and looked at who was left out they all started laughing because there was just no way you’re leaving out certain players 😂

Amazing that there's doubt about including the only England player to score in a major final since 1966. Not even saying it's wrong, but it's quite a scenario.

The end was chaos and I love it 😂😂😂

this is gold. akinfenwas points on maguire very are profound

JWP goes ESR goes Bowen goes Phillips Shaw and callagher honourable mention. Phillips and Shaw can't doubt their euros performances and callagher has just been quality too this season but it's straight form.

For me Southgate has to bring Smith-Rowe, Gallagher and Sancho. All three players have huge potential.

GK: Ramsdale, Pickford, Pope CB: Tomori, Stones, White, Coady RB: Trent, James, Walker (RB/RCB) LB: Chilwell, Trippier CM: Rice, Bellingham, Henderson, Mount, Gallagher LW/RW: Foden, Saka, Sterling, Grealish ST: Kane, Abraham Narrow misses: Bowen, Smith Rowe, Sancho (you can't take everyone).

Ramsdale, Pickford, Pope Trent, James, Walker Tomori, Stones, White, Coady Chilwell, Shaw Rice, Henderson, Bellingham, Mount Saka, Foden, Sterling, Grealish, Sancho Kane, Abraham

My Pick: GK: Ramsdale Pickford Henderson(I think he gets a move in the summer, and plays regularly next season) FB: Trent James Chilwell Shaw CB White Tomori Stones Kilman CM Rice Phillips Bellingham Ward-Prowse CAM/Winger Mount Foden Sterling Sancho Saka Rashford ST Kane Abraham Starting XI: Henderson Trent, Tomori, White, Shaw Mount, Rice, Bellingham Saka, Kane, Sancho How Southgate will pick: GK: Ramsdale Pickford Henderson(I think he gets a move in the summer, and plays regularly next season) FB: Trent James Chilwell Shaw CB Maguire White Stones Coady CM Rice Phillips Bellingham Henderson CAM/Winger Mount Foden Sterling Sancho Saka Rashford ST Kane Abraham Starting XI Pickford James, Maguire, Stones, Shaw Rice, Bellingham Saka, Mount, Sterling Kane

Smithy and Joe trying so hard to "speed things up" and "make a decision" when Akinfenwa speaks but too afraid to annoy him coz he might put him in a headlock

i genuinely don’t know what jarrod bowen has to do to even get a shout in, he has the most g/a in all comps out of england’s prem forwards (more than saka, esr, rashford, sancho, kane, sterling, foden. whilst playing week in week out consistently in a much worse team than city arsenal man u or spurs but he’s still able to create so many chances. the big 6 bias is unreal he’s in the season of his life and doesn’t even get a look in

Ramsdale, Pickford, Henderson TAA, Walker, James, White, Tomori Stones, Coady Chilwell Rice, Phillips Bellingham, Ward Prowse Saka Foden, Mount Sterling, Grealish Kane, Abraham, Calvert Lewin

"i'm leaving out Dean Henderson, anyone have any major issues with that" "nah he can bounce" LOOOL 90 secs in United players already getting violated hahaha Harvey Elliot over Gallagher is criminal btw, forgetting the fact that Gallagher is likely to be Palace player of the season, has Elliot even got his first England cap yet lol

Congrats to Akinfenwa On Sky Sports and still has a FIFA card Still a BEAST

Ramsdale, Pickford, Pope Alexander-Arnold, James, White, Stones, Tomori, Chilwell, Shaw Rice, Phillips, Gallagher, Bellingham, Ward-Prowse Saka, Foden, Mount, Grealish, Smith-Rowe Harry Kane, Abraham, Bowen

Finally. Guests that know football.

If the Welsh manager had Rory's mind set he wouldn't take bale.

Lb Mitchell and chilwell. Kyle walker goes purely as he could play as 3cb which means tas can go rwb

GK. Pickford, Pope, Ramsdale DF. Walker, Alexander-Arnold, Maguire, Coady, Stones, Mings, Chilwell, Shaw MF. Philips, Ward-Prowse, Rice, Henderson, Mount, Gallagher AT. Foden, Saka, Kane, Abraham, Sterling, Rashford

Akinfenyas points are really good, haven’t thought about the maguire situation like the Kane situation, very well put

This debate just highlights the depth of England's squad

how tf was bowen not even in the debate. such an underated baller.

To be frank, Sancho competes with Saka and Sterling rather than Grealish or Foden. Both Grealish and Foden can play CAM or LW, which fits more into Southgate’s game plan. Sancho is a wing attacker only, similar to Sterling, so Sancho competes directly with Sterling. Even Saka can play Right Back under Southgate.

This was one of the best episodes ever , akinfenwa is too good 👌

GK: Ramsdale (1st choice), Pope & Pickford LB: Chilwell, Shaw RB: Trent, Reece James CB: Tomori, Stones, White & Walker (as a CB) CM: Rice, Bellingham, Henderson & Mount, JWP Wingers: Foden, Grealish, Sterling, Sancho, Saka ST: Kane, Abraham

TAA's defensive weakness is not a myth, he's been responsible for several mistakes that have led to goals and the majority of he goals Liverpool concede are from that side. His attacking ability is phenomenal and he is a phenomenal player but lets not get carried away.

Ramsdale TAA _ White _ Stones _ Chilwell Rice _ Bellingham Mount Saka _ _ Foden Kane

Having 5 full backs and 5 CBS just can't happen unless we're gonna play a back 5 regularly

i think Akinfewa will go to qatar in place of Kane.

Why on earth have they brought 5 central defenders? You can't even make the debate that they're needed for cover if they play a back 3 because Kyle Walker will then be an additional central defender

Its so tough to get in 23players for England... A very tough job on d planet.. Straight away...i wudn go for trippier n ofcourse Maguire... Take them out n get in Sancho & Jarred Bowen.. No stones & chillwell for me...bring in Mings & Mitchell Gallagher shud b in...

I think people forget the key to a good team isn’t the best players in the best form but rather a strong core of good players who know how to play together. That’s what Akinfenwa is trying to say when discussing Maguire and Pickford. You don’t see Klopp, Tuchel and Pep just drop 5 players if they are out of form. Good relationships between players in internationals is so important, take the English “golden generation” for example. The United players, Chelsea players and Liverpool players all hated each other and we got nowhere. So by retaining a good core of players who know how to play together Southgate will 8/10 times get better results. Yes we can integrate, Tomori, Gallagher even Maddison and Ramsdale, but this will come with them getting to know the squad and players around them.

Kalvin Phillips was the reason we got to the final and you want Harvey Elliot ahead… jesus