England 3 – 0 Ireland

England won with ease against a poor Republic of Ireland at Wembley. Goals from Maguire, Sancho and Calvert-Lewin secured the victory in this international friendly.

Barring a few minor scares in the first 15 minutes or so, England were the dominant team throughout and might be a bit disappointed that they didn’t run out more emphatic winners.

Maguire seemed to shake off his recent troubles to lead England and opening the scoring with a trademark header.

Sancho started slowly but got better as the game went on as his goal gave him confidence. Calvert-Lewin played well overall and struck his penalty with beautifully, a very Harry Kane like penalty.

Given where the two teams are currently at, an England victory was never really in question. The main questions from this match were who could force their way in to Gareth Southgate’s first team.

Make no mistake here; Southgate picked what he regarded as his second team. I believe he was going to make 11 changes for the Belgium game but now I don’t think that is possible due to a couple of withdrawals.

I think Southgate’s intended team for Belgium was:

Pickford

Walker, Coady, Dier

Trippier, Henderson, Rice, Chilwell

Sterling, Kane, Rashford

Now we know that Rashford and Coady are out so at least two places are open to the team that started last night.

The defenders in my opinion are a much of muchness, apart from Keane who I think is nowhere near good enough for international football.

So I don’t really want to discuss the defence but more of who he should pick further forward.

Kane is a certainty and should be. As is Sterling in one of the wide forward/number 10 roles. I personally don’t think Sterling should be a guaranteed start based on what he has done in an England but he is so we will move on.

The question is who should start in place of Rashford. For me it’s a no brainer and it has to be Grealish but I think Southgate might see it differently.

For me Grealish should start even when everyone is fit. I would also play Mount and Winks above Henderson and Rice in the midfield two. They work as hard defensively as those two and give us so much for ability going forward than Henderson and Rice ever could and with five at the back do we really need two out and out defensive midfielders? No not for me.

Southgate will however undoubtedly start Henderson and Rice and also Kane and Sterling so that leaves one spot available with the contenders to start being Grealish, Sancho and Mount.

I have a feeling Southgate will go for Mount. I like Mount, but as I say I think he should be in the midfield two and Grealish should be in that position further forward.

Grealish looks to be our most creative player and deserves a good run of starts in the team, including against the better teams. Southgate has to battle with being solid enough and creative at the same time and I think he will be more negative than he needs to be and ultimately we will come up short when it comes to playing the better teams at major tournaments.

My team to play Belgium would be (sticking with the current formation as that is another debate):

Pickford

Walker, Dier, Mings

Trippier, Winks, Mount, Chillwell

Sterling, Kane, Grealish

I think however Southgate will go:

Pickford

Walker, Dier, Mings

Trippier, Henderson, Rice, Chillwell

Sterling, Kane, Mount

Who would you pick? I’m interested to see other fans thoughts on this. I have this discussion my friends and none of us agree exactly but we all agree that Grealish should start.