James Milner
Alongside club and country team-mate Joe Hart, Milner has played in the majority of England’s fixtures in 2011. In the 8 games, Milner has played over 600 minutes of football for The Three Lions and the once ever-present under-21 international, who holds the record of most caps at that level – 46, has cemented his place at left midfield. With 6 starts out of 8 games, only missing Montenegro, Milner looks like he is to play a pivotal role in Capello’s plans for Euro 2012 and with regular match time in a star-studded Manchester City team, England are fortunate to have a consistent and natural left-midfielder for the first time in ten years.
Ashley Cole
Having won the trophy last year, Chelsea’s left back entered 2011 in a rich vein of form and continued it throughout the season, putting in seasoned performances in 7 of England’s 9 fixtures. Only missing Sweden and Ghana, both friendlies, Ashley Cole has continued to prove he is England’s best left back into his 92nd and 93rd England cap. Euro 2012 may well be Ashley Cole’s last major tournament for England, as by the time Brazil comes around, the Chelsea defender will be 33. For now though, he is keeping an impressive Leighton Baines out of the England squad.
Frank Lampard
For a short while, the media managed to whip up a concoction of intoxicants that all had us wondering if Lampard’s England career was done and dusted. The Daily Mail brashly stated in July that, “Frank Lampard’s career as a first-choice England midfielder is finally over.” Lampard went on to start two of England’s remaining four games, captain his country against the World champions and score the match-winning goal. That goal, his third of the year, meant that Lampard has now got the joint most goals at Wembley, with Peter Crouch at 9. Lampard has already taken home the trophy twice for England and considering Wayne Rooney’s recent performances in an England shirt, if anyone is going to make it a hat-trick of awards, it is England’s midfield evergreen.
There are 32 players to choose from, ranging from Gareth Barry, who scored England’s 2000th goal, to Jack Wilshire, who is heralded as England’s future. Take your pick and leave your winner and why in the comments below.
Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit
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