Thursday, June 16, 2016

England vs Wales Euro 2016: Harry Redknapp rates the teams


Player ratings
England play Wales today in a match that will settle 'Battle of Britain' bragging rights.
Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey lead a talented Wales team's strong cast of stars, but are England better?
Harry Redknapp runs the rule over each player to find out


Joe Hart
We’re blessed with some good goalkeepers, including Fraser Forster and Jack Butland, but Joe Hart is still the best by some distance. He’s only 29 but it feels like he’s been around for a long time, this is a big tournament for him.
 
Kyle Walker
I believe Kyle and Danny Rose will be crucial players when you consider the way Wales set up with three at the back. He’s a good attacking full-back with genuine pace and he will be vitally important for England on Thursday afternoon.



Gary Cahill
He may have struggled at times for Chelsea and this central defensive partnership doesn’t come close to Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, but Gary deserves his place. He hardly had a thing to do against Russia but he’ll definitely be busier against Gareth Bale.



Chris Smalling
He’s improved massively over the past two years and is now one of the first names on the England team-sheet. He’s strong and possesses deceptive pace and I think he can stand up to whatever Wales throw at him



Danny Rose
Previously a left-winger, Danny is now an outstanding left-back. He’s quick and aggressive with a low centre of gravity who looks to bomb forward. He put in some great crosses against Russia and I’m expecting the same again.



Eric Dier
This is a huge game for Dier and he needs to get to grips with Gareth Bale very early in the game. He’s doing an excellent job sitting in defensive midfield but people at Tottenham still tell me he’s going to be a brilliant centre-half later into his career.



Dele Alli
I wouldn’t swap Dele Alli for anyone in the world – if Paul Pogba is worth £70million I shudder to think what Alli  is worth. He’s an amazing talent and will only get better. One of the best young players in Europe, without a doubt.



Wayne Rooney
Wayne remains a fantastic footballer and all the criticism he’s received will not affect him in any way. He can do any job for the team, whether he’s up front, in midfield or sitting behind the forwards. Still a huge influence for Roy Hodgson.



Adam Lallana
Adam is a very clever player who always seems to find good positions. He had some good opportunities against Russia and if you’re being critical you’d have to say he should have put at least one of them away.






Raheem Sterling
Raheem got a bit of stick the other night and yes, his final ball does let him down. He’s been in and out the team at Manchester City but I think he deserves another chance. He’s got real talent if he can turn it on.






Harry Kane
Some people are saying he looks tired but never write off Harry Kane. Everyone was saying he was a one-season wonder at the start of the season yet he ended it with the Golden Boot. He will score goals given the chance but let’s hope he’s not still taking corners.
 
Wayne Hennessey
Will start if anywhere near fit. Has great physical presence and despite mistakes for Crystal Palace, reserves his best for Wales.






James Chester
He’s a good competitor and the system that Chris Coleman employs suits him. He’s primarily a right-back but can move to the centre to cover if the defence gets stretched.









Ashley Williams
I’ve always been a big fan of Williams, he’s a leader and winner. He reads the game well, is competitive and is clearly respected by the squad. He’s someone you want in the trenches alongside you.



Ben Davies
Ben is too good to be a No. 2 left-back at club level and has struggled to get in at Spurs because of Danny Rose. Maybe he needs to have a look at that over the summer because he’s a very good player and would get in most Premier League teams.



Chris Gunter
I had Chris at Tottenham when I was manager, he was always a good lad full of energy. He was outstanding against Slovenia but this will be much tougher  - he will have both Sterling and Rose running at him and it could be a long afternoon.

Neil Taylor
Another player with great technique, he’s always impressed me with his set-pieces. He will try to get forward but if England have got five players coming at them he could get penned in. Will have to keep possession of the ball very well.



Joe Ledley
What an amazing story for Ledley to come back from injury and that will give him an even bigger incentive to impress against England. If Ledley does replace Jonny Williams, Chris Coleman will clearly have gone for a physical presence.



Joe Allen
Perhaps another player who is unlucky not to play more at club level, Joe Allen has proved he can hold his own at international level. I don’t think he gets enough credit because he’s a really calming influence in that midfield.



Gareth Bale
Easily one of the top five players in the world, Gareth could win the game on his own if he's on it. He will target the centre-halves and try to find pockets of space. A huge threat to England hopes. 



Aaron Ramsey
Aaron would easily get into the England team if he was English and he’s an outstanding player. He plays a little further forward for Wales than he does at Arsenal and will be another key player for Chris Coleman.



Hal Robson-Kanu
He will get all the support he needs from Bale and will want to add to his record of scoring important goals. He’s got some pace which will stretch the England defence and England can’t underestimate him just because he’s played most of his career in the Championship.











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