The England thread

[METALMAN]

I'm surprised Beckham isn't in there

I clearly jinxed him.

[Lineker]

Wigan winger Callum McManaman has been ruled out for three months with an ankle injury and will miss this summer's European Under-21 Championship.

[brenchill]

That's a shame. Apart from the horrible tackle against Newcastle, he was looking like one of the most exciting players in the league towards the end of the season.

Better than Sterling?

[Hobo]

Glen Johnson, at the moment, is utterly shattered by the looks of things. Although he had a good season for the most part.

Totally forgot England are playing Ireland. I'm actually going to have to watch an Ireland game just for the sheer novelty.

[Nerf]

That's a shame. Apart from the horrible tackle against Newcastle, he was looking like one of the most exciting players in the league towards the end of the season.

Better than Sterling?

Sterling is 18. McManaman is 22.

Not really a comparison.

[brenchill]

I had no idea he was 22.

[Summers]

He looks 40.

[Lineker]

Peter Taylor has named his provisional 35-man squad for the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey:

Goalkeepers

Jamal Blackman (Chelsea), Sam Johnstone (Manchester United), George Long (Sheffield United), Connor Ripley (Middlesbrough)

Defenders

Jake Bidwell (Everton), Sam Byram (Leeds United), Donervorn Daniels (West Bromwich Albion), Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon), Jon Flanagan (Liverpool), Luke Garbutt (Everton), Michael Keane (Manchester United), Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest), Liam Moore (Leicester City), Daniel Potts (West Ham United), Adam Reach (Middlesbrough), Jack Robinson (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Tom Thorpe (Manchester United)

Midfielders

Ross Barkley (Everton), Gael Bigirimana (Newcastle United), Jake Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Conor Coady (Liverpool), Larnell Cole (Manchester United), John Lundstram (Everton), Alex Pritchard (Tottenham Hotspur), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Forwards

Patrick Bamford (Chelsea), Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Adam Campbell (Newcastle United), Max Clayton (Crewe Alexandra), Rob Hall (West Ham United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Long (Everton), Nathan Redmond (Birmingham City), Luke Williams (Middlesbrough)

[Jimmy]

Hope Alex Pritchard gets a fair bit of game time. I've heard great things about him. The U20/U21's gonna be on TV?

[Lineker]

Yup, Eurosport are the rights holders for U20's.

Sky Sports have the U21's.

[Colly]

Bigibigibigi.

[Matt]

Good for Sam, I'm still shocked that the incredibly mediocre Adam Smith gets into the u21s over him. Hopefully he plays brilliantly and adds a couple of million to his price tag.

[Lineker]

Nathan Delfouneso replaces Callum McManaman in the U21 squad.

[Rafael]

Yawn. Expect us to struggle a narrow win over v Ireland then get torn apart by the Brazilians.

Torn apart? You're the ones that are going to beat us.

[Khain]

If Chile finally stood up and beat Brazil, England can perfectly do it

[Nerf]

I had no idea he was 22.

I told you he was in my class at school

[ZJ Penn]

Are Brazil crap now? I went past a betting shop yesterday and they were 7/2 favourites for the world cup.

Obviously being hosts affects it, but still.

Edited May 18, 2013 by ZJ Penn

[Rafael]

Now, we're fucking shit. Felipão being named manager was the worst thing to have ever happened to us. I mean, Almost full-force Brazil drew 2-2 with Chile B.

Edited May 18, 2013 by RafaelFms

[Lineker]

So how about no rioting this time around, hmm?

[brenchill]

"This is a big game for us [ireland] tonight!" said Andy Townsend, in his thick, cockney accent.