Trafford in latest England Squad

[claretonthecoast1882]

3 Keepers picked this time Ramsdale misses out

Toney selected

[claretonthecoast1882]

Surprised no place for Wharton

[Goody1975]

Surprised no place for Wharton

On social media the Rovers fans still think he plays for them, however no matter where he's from or the team he supports, he is a fantastic player and should be in the squad without doubt.

[NottsClaret]

Wharton is top class and should be in every squad, but he's injured isn't he?

[claretonthecoast1882]

On social media the Rovers fans still think he plays for them, however no matter where he's from or the team he supports, he is a fantastic player and should be in the squad without doubt.

Agreed, especially when Henderson and Curtis Jones are selected

[claretonthecoast1882]

Wharton is top class and should be in every squad, but he's injured isn't he?

Concussion was the reason given for coming off in cup final

[Goody1975]

Wharton is top class and should be in every squad, but he's injured isn't he?

Yes, just looked. Had a concussion check after final (hit with KDB shot) but is out of the last two games with a groin issue. My point stands though, when fit he should be in the squad and pushing to start.

[RVclaret]

Wharton should be starting for England with Rice. It’s fairly baffling at this stage that he’s not even in the squad. I know it’s the u21 euros this summer, but he’s good enough to be starting to play with the seniors. The frustrating thing is, when you watch England, his profile is exactly what we don’t have, and the ‘link man’ ends up being Rice, who isn’t actually very good in that role and is far better with a license to push on as an 8.

[daveisaclaret]

Can't really understand why the FA don't circle the wagons and protect English clubs by having a no players from the Saudi league policy.

[Woodleyclaret]

This surely isn't Jordan I am one of the worst picks ever to get capped Henderson?

[Spijed]

Wharton is top class and should be in every squad, but he's injured isn't he?

Not injured - Set to be named in the U21 squad. Perhaps the manager wants more experience at international level.

[NottsClaret]

Not injured - Set to be named in the U21 squad. Perhaps the manager wants more experience at international level.

That's mad then. If he was Spanish or Italian he'd have about 15 caps by now. We always complain we don't produce players like him, then when we do, we pick Jordan Henderson instead.

[Spijed]

That's mad then. If he was Spanish or Italian he'd have about 15 caps by now. We always complain we don't produce players like him, then when we do, we pick Jordan Henderson instead.

Isn't the aim of this manager to win a tournament rather than build for the future?

That's probably in his thought process and why he's picking the squad he has. He's only got a short term contract and probably can't afford to think too far ahead.

[ecc]

Can't really understand why the FA don't circle the wagons and protect English clubs by having a no players from the Saudi league policy.

That would mean no Newcastle players being eligible for selection.

[RVclaret]

Isn't the aim of this manager to win a tournament rather than build for the future?

That's probably in his thought process and why he's picking the squad he has. He's only got a short term contract and probably can't afford to think too far ahead.

Wharton is the now, let alone future. He’s just been part of an FA cup winning team. World Cup is still another year away, too, and these games are against Senegal and Andorra FFS.

[CoolClaret]

Wharton should be starting for England with Rice. It’s fairly baffling at this stage that he’s not even in the squad. I know it’s the u21 euros this summer, but he’s good enough to be starting to play with the seniors. The frustrating thing is, when you watch England, his profile is exactly what we don’t have, and the ‘link man’ ends up being Rice, who isn’t actually very good in that role and is far better with a license to push on as an 8.

^^^ this.

Wharton needs to be allowed to grow in that role for England - it's pointless playing Rice there because we have seen too many times what happens when the level goes up a notch and he's playing in that '6' role, he struggles and we struggle controlling the game.

[FCBurnley]

Well done to Trafford. Don’t care about Wharton

[BigGaz]

Wharton should be starting for England with Rice. It’s fairly baffling at this stage that he’s not even in the squad. I know it’s the u21 euros this summer, but he’s good enough to be starting to play with the seniors. The frustrating thing is, when you watch England, his profile is exactly what we don’t have, and the ‘link man’ ends up being Rice, who isn’t actually very good in that role and is far better with a license to push on as an 8.

Fully agree. I'd argue Rice would be our most important player if we used him properly, incredible footballer.

[GetIntoEm]

Can't really understand why the FA don't circle the wagons and protect English clubs by having a no players from the Saudi league policy.

Why would we not want players from the Saudi league?

[Goliath]

A midfield 3 of Wharton sat behind Bellingham and Rice has pretty much everything.

[TheFamilyCat]

Why would we not want players from the Saudi league?

I'd say it was suggested to try to deter England players from going over there. The other argument would be the sense of picking players from a league that's a combination of an exhibition league and league 2.

[jrgbfc]

Thing is if you give a manager an 18 month contract you can't complain when they think short term.

[claretburns]

It will be better for Wharton to get tournament experience for the U21 in preparation for next summer rather than two meaningless games against Andorra and Senegal.

[daveisaclaret]

Why would we not want players from the Saudi league?

The reason is in the post you quoted

[Jakubclaret]

Thing is if you give a manager an 18 month contract you can't complain when they think short term.

You've just got to let them get on with it & when the time comes make that decision. Everything up to then it is what it is. He'll have his own reasons for his selections he watches football often enough.

[bfcmik]

Thing is if you give a manager an 18 month contract you can't complain when they think short term.

Do we know that he was only offered an 18 month contract or whether that was all he would accept? I think the latter scenario is the more likely.

[Cooclaret]

Agreed, especially when Henderson and Curtis Jones are selected

I love Jones. His invention into a new position and role has been a genius move by Liverpool.

He’s world class.

AW is good, (as good as Carrick for me) but he needs a season in a top six team to cement his talent.

He’s rightly being managed after an injury. The 21’s have a big tournament coming up. So it’s right they work as a squad together to achieve.

[Cooclaret]

That would mean no Newcastle players being eligible for selection.

Stupid comment.

[Cooclaret]

It will be better for Wharton to get tournament experience for the U21 in preparation for next summer rather than two meaningless games against Andorra and Senegal.

Absolutely this.

[Terrier]

Wharton was born in burnley general hospital so he started life very well, only one place better to be born and that was bank hall maternity hospital!

[Robbie_painter]

What should be a Trafford congratulatory thread has descended into a Wharton wankathon!

[bumba]

Good on him.
Looking at the England squad it's self though I cannot believe people think we'll even be anywhere close to winning the world cup. That defence he's picked is awful

[pureclaret]

On social media the Rovers fans still think he plays for them, however no matter where he's from or the team he supports, he is a fantastic player and should be in the squad without doubt.

He does still play for them

[dougcollins]

The other argument would be the sense of picking players from a league that's a combination of an exhibition league and league 2.

I would say that's more the point.

[equinox]

Isn't the aim of this manager to win a tournament rather than build for the future?

That's probably in his thought process and why he's picking the squad he has. He's only got a short term contract and probably can't afford to think too far ahead.

Why is Trafford included then? He's years off starting, surely?

[Spijed]

Why is Trafford included then? He's years off starting, surely?

Who knows, but the pool of English keepers (good ones at least) isn't that large, so perhaps that's why Trafford is in there.

One thing you can say about Tuchel is that he's very highly regarded and well thought of (winning the CL obviously helps), so he must know what he's doing.

You'd think so at least!

[bobinho]

Isn't the aim of this manager to win a tournament rather than build for the future?

That's probably in his thought process and why he's picking the squad he has. He's only got a short term contract and probably can't afford to think too far ahead.

I think it IS his job to win a trophy. That being said, he should pick his best players regardless of how many caps they already have. Pains me to say it, but that’s Wharton.

[bobinho]

Why would we not want players from the Saudi league?

One reason may be that they are past their sell by date.

Another may be that even if they aren’t close to retirement and looking for a big last payday, they are playing against opponents every week that are significantly less skilled than them. Slower than them. Weaker than them. That’s hardly the best environment for them to keep sharp and hone their skills further. How can you tell if someone is at their peak when they are testing themselves against inferior players for months?

[GetIntoEm]

One reason may be that they are past their sell by date.

Another may be that even if they aren’t close to retirement and looking for a big last payday, they are playing against opponents every week that are significantly less skilled than them. Slower than them. Weaker than them. That’s hardly the best environment for them to keep sharp and hone their skills further. How can you tell if someone is at their peak when they are testing themselves against inferior players for months?

Surely that's down to the manager to decide. Doesn't need banning

[exilecanada]

Why is Trafford included then? He's years off starting, surely?

I can see Trafford getting half a game in the Senegal friendly.

[IanMcL]

3 Keepers picked this time Ramsdale misses out

Toney selected

Had no idea he could keep goal too!

[boatshed bill]

Trafford's selection is well deserved, brilliant this season.

[IanMcL]

Congratulations to young Trafford, for his latest selection.

[billyhamilton82]

Well done James, another to add to the list.

I think I am correct that in recent years since 1997-98 season we have had 6 current or former full England International keepers ?

1. James Trafford
2. Nick Pope
3. Tom Heaton
4. Joe Hart
5. Paul Robinson
6. Chris Woods

[claretburns]

Well done James, another to add to the list.

I think I am correct that in recent years since 1997-98 season we have had 6 current or former full England International keepers ?

1. James Trafford
2. Nick Pope
3. Tom Heaton
4. Joe Hart
5. Paul Robinson
6. Chris Woods

Correct, along with other international goalkeepers:

Nikolaos Michopoulos, Greece
Danny Coyne, Wales
Gábor Király, Hungary
Diego Penny, Peru
Matt Gilks, Scotland
Anders Lindegaard, Denmark
Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Northern Ireland
Wayne Hennessey, Wales
Arijanet Muric, Kosovo