Frank Lampard’s recent withdrawal from the England squad just a week before Euro 2012 starts has seen England’s central midfield options cut to shreds as he now joins Gareth Barry on the sidelines. Lampard’s replacement, Jordan Henderson of Liverpool has seen the three lions manager Roy Hodgson receive his first criticism in charge of his country. Has he overlooked better options and been biased to players he knew during his time at Liverpool?
Henderson has had a difficult debut season at Liverpool, although playing 49 times for the reds this season; he has failed to live up to his £16million pound price tag. For Henderson and Hodgson, it’s a massive opportunity to prove the critics wrong.
However, Hodgson may receive a backlash from the English press if his selections fail in Poland and Ukraine. Scott Parker’s fitness is still not known which means the decision to include Jordan Henderson in the squad is even more of a gamble. Many fans and critics believe that better central midfield cover could have been called upon.
In particular the Manchester United pairing of Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick. Although both are officially retired from international football, Hodgson should have been doing everything in his power to try and persuade the pair to play international football again. Scholes has vast international experience and has played in big tournaments, and even his presence in a youthful England squad would surely be beneficial.
Scholes and Carrick helped transform Manchester United’s second half of the season around as United missed out on the title by the skin of their teeth to a Manchester City side that had spent millions on their squad.
Hodgson and Henderson should be given their chance to prove the majority of the English public, but perhaps introducing Henderson during a European tournament shows some naivety from Hodgson when other more experienced players could have been chosen.
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Jordan Henderson was purchased after Hodgson left Liverpool… He’s never coached him
Only Gerrard and Johnson were at Liverpool during Roy’s time there! Kenny brought Carroll,Henderson and Downing who were also part of Cappello’s past squads.