The Athletic FC Podcast

It's just eight months until Thomas Tuchel's England go to the World Cup.

On today's show, Ayo Akinwolere, David Ornstein and England reporter Jack Pitt-Brooke pick their preferred XIs for the start of the tournament.

Which team is the best?

1 month ago | [YT] | 81



@saqs07

Rashford's PR working overtime

1 month ago | 20

@Tee-0001

Rashford 😂😂

1 month ago | 10

@koreysamuel917

Orny’s team looking strongest but don’t see how Rashford makes it in the side over Palmer

1 month ago | 26

@Ukepuke95

DJED SPENCE 🤣🤣🤣

1 month ago | 7

@Jack-sc3dn

All the Marcus Rashford fans returned. Great to finally see you again

1 month ago | 12

@CooperJackToys

Anderson >>>>

1 month ago | 1

@muhammadsamiul7182

I find Ayo's team the most fascinating. I'll love to see the Wharton Rice duo. I'd just add Livramento in the place of Lewis Skelly because I like his pace.

1 month ago | 1

@CJ2-289

Cole palmer and djed spence for me

1 month ago | 2

@YoungBeharry15

Shouldn't Even be picking XI's right now. Overhyping for no reason. Thats why we fail. Lets enjoy the journey till the season ends then we'll start looking forward to that.

4 weeks ago | 0

@darbleful

No Palmer, no dice.

4 weeks ago | 1

@CobaltProd704

No Palmer is heinous

1 month ago | 8

@snowymatrix

Kane, Saka and rice I wouldn't give you tuppence for the rest of them. MLS isn't ready yet.👍

1 month ago | 0

@YoungBeharry15

Yall sleep on Palmer bro.. watch him shine after this injury

4 weeks ago | 0

@Daniel-f7l9u

This is what id do, but have palmer as the 10 and Bellingham as the 8

1 month ago | 0

@nevski142

No Konsa is mad hes been England's best centre back

1 month ago | 3

@tomprendergast867

How has rashford slipped back into an england team?! Its absurd. Average player with the occasional moment of brilliance, which unfortunately how football is assessed now. In moments. Eze or gordon need to be thought of and how palmer isnt any of these teams is mental!! And im not convinced elliot anderson is good enough. Decent player who is in good form, but not good enough. Pickford is another one who gets picked regardless, too. Lad makes so many mistakes that seem to go unnoticed. Lots of intrresting decisions there. Long and short, i think the team will be short again.

1 month ago (edited) | 11

@drew1784

No Palmer?

1 month ago | 2

@jake1664

The best English goal keeper in the Premiership proven by absolute facts not in the IX....

1 month ago | 0

@markdunmore2823

Tbf to Rashford, outside of Kane, he's the England player with the most goal involvements so far this season

1 month ago | 2

@True_Blue_Lu

None of the 3 selections look convincing with Bellingham over Palmer at 10 - that is absurd. I could also argue Gordon over Rashford if it's about consistency.

1 month ago (edited) | 3