Machiavelli
Well-known member
Having started a thread praising France's midfield, England's deserve praise too.
First, a quick caveat, they didn't look quite as good today, with Rooney unnecessarily giving the free kick away that led to their goal, Dier making misplaced passes and ill-judged floating crosses, and Alli not at his most effective.
But they look really promising. Dier in a short space of time looks as good a defensive midfielder in European football, he knows and likes that role (especially with attacking full-backs), is extremely intelligent positionally, is physically strong, has a good engine, and is rapid over short distances. Rooney looks revived as the creative force, his passing and vision really coming to the fore. And Alli's movement, pace and physicality will cause many a team problems. Most of all, they look more than the sum of their parts, with impressive balance, complementing each other well.
First, a quick caveat, they didn't look quite as good today, with Rooney unnecessarily giving the free kick away that led to their goal, Dier making misplaced passes and ill-judged floating crosses, and Alli not at his most effective.
But they look really promising. Dier in a short space of time looks as good a defensive midfielder in European football, he knows and likes that role (especially with attacking full-backs), is extremely intelligent positionally, is physically strong, has a good engine, and is rapid over short distances. Rooney looks revived as the creative force, his passing and vision really coming to the fore. And Alli's movement, pace and physicality will cause many a team problems. Most of all, they look more than the sum of their parts, with impressive balance, complementing each other well.