[Albion] Lewis Dunk - on the plane to Germany if fit?

[Bozza]

90min have taken the "on the plane" analogy a bit further and divided players into...

Flying business class - definitely going
Ready to board - likely to go
Waiting at the gate - could go
At the airport hotel - unlikely to go
On standby - very unlikely to go

...with our captain classified as "waiting at the gate".

England Euro 2024 squad predictions and likely picks

Read more on England's potential Euro 2024 squad and which 23 players are likely to be boarding the plane to Germany with Gareth Southgate.

www.90min.com

I'm biased, obviously, but I'd hope his solid performances for England would have him higher up in the pecking order than that now.

What say you?

 

[Brian Fantana]

He should be 'ready to board', but given everything we know about Southgate and some of his selections, I think 'waiting at the gate' is about right.

 

[Charles 'Charley' Charles]

He absolutely should go, but the only nagging doubt in my mind would be whether Southgate thinks pulling out of 2 of the last 4 squads is acceptable, or if he thinks he might be prone to injury.

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

You do realise you have just jinxed him, don't you.

 

[Wozza]

90min have taken the "on the plane" analogy a bit further and divided players into...

Flying business class - definitely going
Ready to board - likely to go
Waiting at the gate - could go
At the airport hotel - unlikely to go
On standby - very unlikely to go

...with our captain classified as "waiting at the gate".

England Euro 2024 squad predictions and likely picks

Read more on England's potential Euro 2024 squad and which 23 players are likely to be boarding the plane to Germany with Gareth Southgate.

www.90min.com

I'm biased, obviously, but I'd hope his solid performances for England would have him higher up in the pecking order than that now.

What say you?

Are you paid to plug 90min content, Bozza? Don't see anyone plugging their content as much as you!

 

[Muzzman]

'Waiting at the South Gate"

 

[Beanstalk]

He absolutely should go, but the only nagging doubt in my mind would be whether Southgate thinks pulling out of 2 of the last 4 squads is acceptable, or if he thinks he might be prone to injury.

This is probably right, although it depends on who else is an injury problem, has a good run of form, etc.

The pool of CBs is as below and Stones and Maguire, if fit, are probably "flying business class". With the squads being 23 instead of 25 for the Euros, does GS take 4 or 5 of those CBs? Will Dunk be one of those 2/3 picks?

• Stones
• Maguire
• Guehi
• Dunk
• Tomori
• Colwill
• Konsa

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Surely he will give JWP a game before the finals.... Of course he wont.

 

[Dibdab]

I think he'll go.

 

[Farehamseagull]

Barring injuries, I think it’s very unlikely he’ll go to be honest and based on his recent record around internationals, he’ll probably be injured then anyway and will get a nice rest instead which suits me!

Unfortunately for Dunk, I don’t think he’ll win any more caps now.

 

[Farehamseagull]

This is probably right, although it depends on who else is an injury problem, has a good run of form, etc.

The pool of CBs is as below and Stones and Maguire, if fit, are probably "flying business class". With the squads being 23 instead of 25 for the Euros, does GS take 4 or 5 of those CBs? Will Dunk be one of those 2/3 picks?

• Stones
• Maguire
• Guehi
• Dunk
• Tomori
• Colwill
• Konsa

Konsa is good and deserves a chance, I think he’s got a very good chance of making it, especially if Villa win the Conference League and the extra exposure that will give him on a European level.

I also reckon Jarrad Branthwaite has got a very good chance of being in the squad ahead of Dunk.

 

[Flounce]

As I don’t think he’s played in a meaningful England game yet I think he’ll be in the airport Hilton. Maguire will be flying the plane

 

[Audax]

Stones and Maguire, if fit, are probably "flying business class"

That'll be how Southgate sees it, for sure. But let's be honest, Maguire shouldn't be.

 

[Commander]

If he is fit it would be absolutely criminal not to take him. Surely he will be on the plane.

(Obviously it's absolutely criminal he doesn't have 50 caps already and is behind that oaf Maguire in the pecking order)

 

[Mellotron]

I suspect we'll get our answer when the squad for the March friendlies is announced.

If he makes that squad and plays a part, he'll be in alongside Guehi and possibly A.N. Other. If he pulls out through injury again, or doesn't play, that'll be that.

Attributes wise he is the only real cover England have for Maguire (should be starting ahead of him as we all know, but that's another point). None of the other options really cover that type of centre back, IMO.

 

[Littlemo]

If he is fit then he’ll go.

 

[dazzer6666]

Stones and Maguire nailed on to go unless injured. Guehi ahead of Dunk now (younger and did well enough) so waiting at the gate probably right (at best). His best hope is Slabhead getting injured or Southgate getting a bang on the head.

 

[Beanstalk]

Konsa is good and deserves a chance, I think he’s got a very good chance of making it, especially if Villa win the Conference League and the extra exposure that will give him on a European level.

I also reckon Jarrad Branthwaite has got a very good chance of being in the squad ahead of Dunk.

Agree about Konsa - he's playing really well and has barely missed a minute this season. Also 26 so a great age to bed in with some of the other options starting to age... (A real shame we missed out on him when he went to Brentford tbh).

Think the Euros will come far too soon for Branthwaite. Only just broken into the Everton side and still playing for the England U21s.

It's probably between a choice between Dunk/Tomori and Konsa/Colwill for the 4th and 5th CBs (or 1 of those four if he goes with 4 CBs).

 

[Beanstalk]

That'll be how Southgate sees it, for sure. But let's be honest, Maguire shouldn't be.

Perhaps, but also perhaps not. I'm one of those who is a bit more understanding of Southgate than most. He clearly wanted to build a side over the long term with a stable core over a long period of time and a back 2 of Maguire and Stones (with Pickford) is a key pillar to that idea.

The other thing to notice is that despite the tabloid-esque headlines, United have had a complete turnaround in form in the PL in their last 5 games (4 wins, 1 loss to Citeh). The difference has been the reintroduction of Harry Maguire to the starting XI. He hasn't missed a second since (in the league). City game aside, that's 2 goals conceded across 4 wins. Whilst he's been a fun figure to take the piss out of, if he continues his current form, he's a deserved shoe in.

 

[Mellotron]

Stones and Maguire nailed on to go unless injured. Guehi ahead of Dunk now (younger and did well enough) so waiting at the gate probably right (at best). His best hope is Slabhead getting injured or Southgate getting a bang on the head.

I don't quite see it that way. I reckon Southgate sees Guehi as Stones cover, and Dunk as Maguire cover. Hopefully (not even hopefully, Dunk should be starting, but you know what I mean).