UEFA Nations League & Euro 2020 Qualification

[Deutsch Wolf]

You have to be a bit careful with these projections. Michael Owen was 24 at Euro 2004 and scored his 26th international goal in the quarter final vs Portugal. You wouldn't have got even money on him breaking Bobby Charlton's record.

Only scored 14 more goals for England and his final one came when he was still only 27.

Not that I expect Kane to have that kind of decline but you never know.

 

[Tredman]

Yep, early Rooney looked nailed on to be the greatest footballer england had ever seen. You could argue he almost lived up to it, but he never really looked as outstanding as he did at Euro 2004.

Different types of players though i guess, Kane doesn't have Rooney or Owen's ability to beat players.

 

[The Bear]

I don't think Kane is over-rated. I do think there are several elite forwards who are better than him though. That's a comparison not to be sniffed at really though.

 

[jd1981]

I don't think Kane is over-rated. I do think there are several elite forwards who are better than him though. That's a comparison not to be sniffed at really though.

Disagree personally think you can count one had who’s better than him currently.

 

[Templeton Peck]

Yep, early Rooney looked nailed on to be the greatest footballer england had ever seen. You could argue he almost lived up to it, but he never really looked as outstanding as he did at Euro 2004.

Different types of players though i guess, Kane doesn't have Rooney or Owen's ability to beat players.

Rooney was never really outstanding for England after 2005. Never judge a player on stats alone.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Yep, early Rooney looked nailed on to be the greatest footballer england had ever seen. You could argue he almost lived up to it, but he never really looked as outstanding as he did at Euro 2004.

Different types of players though i guess, Kane doesn't have Rooney or Owen's ability to beat players.

There's quite a few you could look at.

Paul Gascoigne only ever won 40 caps after Italia 90 and had only just turned 31 (by two days) when he played his last game. Never played at a World Cup again after that game in Turin.

David Platt went from key player to fringe player to retired inside about two years, as he turned 30.

Paul Scholes scored against Greece in June 2001 to give him 13 goals in 39 caps. Went on to score 1 in 27 and retire at the age of 29 (no, not because he got played on the left).

Des Walker won his final cap at the age of 27.

Joe Hart had 75 caps at the age of 30. A reasonable chance of breaking Shilton's record you'd think...except he'll probably never play again.

Rio Ferdinand's final game in a tournament for England came when he was 27.

 

[The Bear]

Disagree personally think you can count one had who’s better than him currently.

I personally rate Ronaldo, Messi, Suarez, Lewandowski and Aguero as better all-round peronally. I know others don't.

 

[jd1981]

I personally rate Ronaldo, Messi, Suarez, Lewandowski and Aguero as better all-round peronally. I know others don't.

Can see your argument but currently I don’t think Aguero or Lewandowski are better level par maybe IMO.

 

[Tredman]

I think if you are widening it out to forwards, such as Messi, then there are lots better; but as a centre forward there aren't that many which are more effective.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Meanwhile it's a splendid bottlejob by Belgium tonight.

Go 2-0 up in Switzerland after 20 minutes, meaning Switzerland need to score four unanswered goals to stop them winning the group.

Switzerland have just gone 5-2 up.

 

[The Bear]

Standard Bobby M defence really.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

England
Portugal
Switzerland
France/Netherlands (Netherlands through with a draw tomorrow in Germany, who are relegated and probably don't care, plus are playing like shit)

 

[Tredman]

What on earth has happened to Germany, they were WC favourites IIRC. Still have the players too, Ozil aside.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

If you look at the squad, it's still to an extent based on what they had in 2010. Gone stale and some of them are getting on now. Neuer 32, Khedira 31, Boateng 30. Müller nearly 30 and been in decline for a couple of years. Younger players like Werner and Draxler haven't come off yet.

Plus I'm not sure Löw is actually that good a manager. A bit like Del Bosque, you want someone just to oversee a top squad, great. Need to actually do something, erm, help.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

England
Portugal
Switzerland
France/Netherlands (Netherlands through with a draw tomorrow in Germany, who are relegated and probably don't care, plus are playing like shit)

If the Dutch do a job I think England would have a very good chance.

 

[Jinky]

I'm getting very very close to adding Harry Kane to the Joe Root school of massively overrated England captains.

Outrageous call :icon_lol:

 

[StuardoWulf]

Must say that I was not enthused by Delphs inclusion but blimey MOTM for me. Very good performance actually passing the ball well.
I'm soon going to have to admit that Southgate is doing a good job yuk!
This nations league is certainly better than crappy friendlies.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

The Dutch got their point despite being 2-0 down with five to go.

If Poland win tomorrow then Germany won't even be top seeds in Euro qualifying.

 

[Lupo]

Low was lucky to survive their WC debacle, surely he has to be on borrowed time now?

 

[Deleted Cyber]

The Dutch got their point despite being 2-0 down with five to go.

If Poland win tomorrow then Germany won't even be top seeds in Euro qualifying.

Great Finish from Van DJyk