Taken from David Ornstein’s column on The Athletic today:

Will Mee miss out on an England debut?

The cancellation of March’s internationals and the likely delay of Euro 2020 means some players who were close to being called up for England will have to wait — or may even have missed their chance altogether.

Gareth Southgate was due to announce his squad on Thursday and central defence was one particular area of interest given the form of Manchester City’s John Stones and Fikayo Tomori of Chelsea, who were both involved during the last international break in November.

The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell has learned Southgate made discreet inquiries about Burnley defender Ben Mee’s suitability. The England manager is a regular visitor to Turf Moor, with goalkeeper Nick Pope vying for the No 1 spot and 20-year-old Dwight McNeil impressing, but it is understood he recently asked whether Mee might now be ready for international honours.

Attracting Southgate’s eye has been Mee’s dependability — crucial during a summer tournament where games come thick and fast. Mee is one of only seven outfield players to have featured in all 2,610 minutes of the Premier League this season. He has been involved in 11 clean sheets in 2019-20, second only to Virgil van Dijk’s 12.

Though his defensive partner James Tarkowski can match both those numbers and has been called up before, Southgate is said to find the Burnley captain’s leadership abilities particularly appealing.

“He is a consummate professional, will not let you down, and is quite a threat at set-pieces,” said a source. “But the worry is he’s not had his debut. And giving away that penalty against Tottenham won’t have helped.”

Mee will be 31 in September and, should the Euros have to wait until 2021, the picture could look very different.

Another candidate for Southgate’s squad was Mason Holgate, who is enjoying the best form of his career, even if Everton’s last outing at Chelsea ended in a 4-0 defeat. The defender, 23, has shown his versatility by operating also in midfield and Southgate has been keeping tabs on him.

Well, look on the bright side. It also gives Sarfgate more time to sack Pickford.

It’s a crock of nonsense filler article . He includes the “ pro and con” face saving “ source” rider :

“He is a consummate professional, will not let you down, and is quite a threat at set-pieces,” said a source. “But the worry is he’s not had his debut. And giving away that penalty against Tottenham won’t have helped.”

Garbage.

If they're that worried about Ben Mee then they won't be picking the likes of John Stones ever again.

What a **** post

I've never ever seen what John Stones brings to a team, he's more often a liability. Then again I'm not Pep. Hopefully Ben will get his chance but I'm not so sure on that one.

beddie wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 17, 2020 8:18 am

I've never ever seen what John Stones brings to a team, he's more often a liability. Then again I'm not Pep. Hopefully Ben will get his chance but I'm not so sure on that one.

Even Pep has finally seen through the vastly over-rated Stone.

Well whilst salt should be at hand, if I was Ben Mee, I would be chuffed that I might be in folks thoughts.

Ben Mee for England!

He wont miss out because of Covid 19, he will miss out because he isnt good enough.

Jordan Pickford gets grief for mistakes that could, should or do lead to a goal every other game, where us with a claret persuasion seem to miss Ben's regular slips.
It's been getting to 1 a game if late.

English football is in a bit if a state, luckily not much of a state that Ben Mee is the answer.

MACCA wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 17, 2020 2:10 pm

He wont miss out because of Covid 19, he will miss out because he isnt good enough.

Jordan Pickford gets grief for mistakes that could, should or do lead to a goal every other game, where us with a claret persuasion seem to miss Ben's regular slips.
It's been getting to 1 a game if late.

English football is in a bit if a state, luckily not much of a state that Ben Mee is the answer.

For all his 'mistakes' Burnley would be in a far worse position if Mee didnt play. I don't think he'll play for England but maybe some supporters may start to appreciate what he brings to this team once he doesn't play.

Not sure Ben is one of the two best English centre backs (probably Maguire and Tarka) but he’s consistent enough to be in the squad and is a more than capable stand-in - despite his errors. He’s definitely a better option than Stones

Why is that these days you can't be seen as being loyal to one of our players without pointing out that they're not one of the best players in the league or deserving of an England squad?

Ben Mee is a perfect example of this. He's been a cracking player for us and has been a big part of our success, but he's not England class, even as a squad player. Defensively he's usually very reliable, but is a player that too often does make silly mistakes leading to goals or big chances. There's many other English defenders out there equally reliable though, and several of them don't play in teams that have the defensive structure we do. What really lets Mee down, and I dare say the same goes for Tarks, is his quality on the ball. He simply isn't capable of playing the kind of passing game that Southgate demands.

Let's assume the likes of Maguire and Gomez are shoe ins. If you're being really objective to say he warrants a place in the England squad you'd have to say he's playing better than Coady, Dunk, Mings, O'Connell, Basham, Cahill, Tomkins, Godfrey, Lascelles, Holgate and even Tarkowski. There's little firm evidence to suggest that Mee is playing better than the all of those players.

As for John Stones, he'd be a cracking player for a team like us. Sure Dyche is the kind of manager who'd realise his potential.

Yep and cos of Covid 19 I'm gonna miss out on a date with Michelle Keegan but what can you do

SalisburyClaret wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 17, 2020 2:18 pm

Not sure Ben is one of the two best English centre backs (probably Maguire and Tarka) but he’s consistent enough to be in the squad and is a more than capable stand-in - despite his errors. He’s definitely a better option than Stones

I don't know, the prospect of us coming up against a France or Belgium with Ben Mee at the back is enough to give me nightmares tbh. Especially if you take away the amount of protection he gets playing for us.

Perhaps the experiment would be to slot Tarkowski and Mee in together, knowing they cover the angles and route to goal, perfectly, as a couple.

There are worse players with caps. Didn’t Nick Pickering have one. If Ben could pass well under pressure he would already have one. But then he would not play for Burnley.

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 18, 2020 11:12 am

Perhaps the experiment would be to slot Tarkowski and Mee in together, knowing they cover the angles and route to goal, perfectly, as a couple.

We've conceded 40 goals this season. Palace have only conceded 32. Sheff United only 25. So if we're going for English players used to playing with each other maybe you'd start with Sheffield United players.

Not so sure that Sheff U have 2 regular English Centre backs.

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 18, 2020 4:45 pm

Not so sure that Sheff U have 2 regular English Centre backs.

2 out of their 3 centre backs are English, their right back is English and they have the best English keeper in the country so lets get them all in the England team

Certainly disagree with the last point. As England generally play with 2 CB's, that weakens the process too.

Think DA might have being tongue in cheek. Your point has value though, and yes Sheff Utd play with a different defensive set up to how England have since the world cup. That was my point about Mee earlier though. We play differently to England who usually would be much more on the front foot. The defence therefore has less protection, and one area where Mee struggles is when he's isolated. Which also goes back to my point about Stones and how I think he'd look a much better player in a Sean Dyche team.

You fit systems and tactics to players and vice-versa. We should accept that Mee is unlikely to be seen to be a good fit for how England play.