England v Belgium Player Ratings

Belgium 2 – 0 England

Pickford                       6

Can’t really blame him for either goal. One good save. Other than that, pretty much what you would expect from your goalkeeper.

Centre Backs:

Walker              6

Dier                  5

Mings               6

Walker is a frustrating one. At times his pace covers at the back brilliantly to get us out of trouble. He also bursts forward to help in attack. One minute he’s pinging cross field inch perfect passes, the next he’s giving away an easy five yard ball and setting Belgium up on the attack.

Dier was as his name suggests at certain times. I agree with what Paul Merson said on Soccer Saturday the other week that his ability means he finds the game so easy at times and results in him being careless or overconfident and with that comes mistakes. Has steadily gone downhill from being the only player who could hold his head up at Euro 2016. I still see a good player in there, I just don’t think I’d pick him in either defence or midfield at the minute.

Mings loves to get forward and join in with the attack in this formation. Defensively reliable too barring one moment where he looked like he’d lost the ball trying to dribble out of defence.

Wingbacks:

Trippier             7

Chilwell             5

Saka                 6

Chilwell didn’t really have time to get in the game before getting injured. I feel however he is more suited to the orthodox left back role. Saka again looked lively going forward when he came on and I feel he is still playing within himself at the moment and there is more to come.

Yet again our best chances came from a Trippier cross. Be it from a dead ball or during open play. Would still be my first choice above TAA when everyone is fit.

Midfield:

Rice                  6

Henderson        4

Winks               7

Rice did what you would want from a defensive midfielder both on and off the ball. He was unlucky with part in the goals we conceded. Henderson was awful. He cannot pass; he even takes too long over his backwards and sideways passes. Terrible player.

We looked a lot better when Winks was introduced. This guy can actually pass and is willing to pass the ball forward. Is Henderson only anywhere near the team because he’s the only player that opens his mouth?

Forwards:

Mount               5

Grealish            8

Kane                 7

Mount is definitely more suited to a deeper midfield role than the one he played in in this one. A night to forget for him. Kane’s all round game was good as usual. He was just missing the goal or final pass at times.

Grealish was yet again man of the match. I think he has been up there for that accolade in the three starts he has had so far. Gives England another dimension. Inject some pace up there with him and Kane and we could pose a big threat against anyone.