No Tarko

[Claret_Matelot]

Tarkowski's stats sort of indicate just what a good defender he is. I thought a centre-back's first job is to defend?

https://www.premierleague.com/players/8143/James-Tarkowski/stats

It is.. But to get in to Southgates team you need to be able to defend AND play out from the back. Thats what makes the difference between a good defender and a great defender. There is a reason why they are referred to as 'Centre Backs' now and not just 'Defenders'.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

It is.. But to get in to Southgates team you need to be able to defend AND play out from the back. Thats what makes the difference between a good defender and a great defender. There is a reason why they are referred to as 'Centre Backs' now and not just 'Defenders'.

If Ray Deakin was still with us he would be a "shoe-in" then!

[sinkov]

It is.. But to get in to Southgates team you need to be able to defend AND play out from the back. Thats what makes the difference between a good defender and a great defender. There is a reason why they are referred to as 'Centre Backs' now and not just 'Defenders'.

No idea what the stats say but I'd have more confidence in Tarko bringing the ball out of defence than Michael Keane, to my eyes at least he looks like a rabbit caught in headlights if someone doesn't show for the ball within 5 seconds of him getting it.

[army88]

It's because his distribution of the ball is not good enough. Southgate is following the same model as most of the top clubs who play out from the back. This will also hurt Popes chances as a fair percentage of his clearances go out for a throw in.

Maguire can’t defend - he’s ok carrying the ball and coming onto headers but is woeful at pucking up runners in behind him in fact ( schoolboy ).

I have a feeling that at Leicester Kante did a lot of this for him , hence as I said he carries the ball well and meets headers looks good to the outsider but in reality he’s not as good a defender as England seem to think.

I know that’s a rant but I can’t see how Maguire - mings get in front of Tarky

[Deadlydave]

He plays for a "small" northern club!!! If he was sold to UTD he'd be in every squad in the future. Is that too cynical!?? I don't think so.

[alfinyalcabo]

Southgate looks a bit like Freddie Mercury in his final days to me.. Time he retired..

[sinkov]

PL Yellow cards last season,

Tarkowski...10
Mings...7
Maguire...6
Coady...5
Keane...3