England overcame the now inherent pressure of qualifying with a strong victory against Poland to finally book their place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil. After putting this first hurdle behind them, Roy Hodgson and England can now look toward preparation for the tournament.
However, with so many English players shining at domestic level this season, Hodgson has the pleasant conundrum of deciding who he should take with him. A lot of players have missed out on some crucial qualifying games through injury, but if we assume, that Hodgson has a full strength pool of players to choose from, which 23 players should be on the plane next year?
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart is a dead certain for me. Though his confidence has taken a few knocks recently, he is certainly England’s best goalkeeper for some years.
Fraser Forster, Celtic’s number one could easily be a strong candidate for England’s number two along with the reliable Norwich keeper John Ruddy. Both should be included in the squad.
Right-Backs: With a fully fit side, Glen Johnson would have to be my first choice right-back over the more inexperienced Kyle Walker.
Centre-Backs: Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill appear to have established themselves as a first team partnership after the retirement of both Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. Though Hodgson does prefer the use of youth covering roles, I’d have to pick Joleon Lescott as experienced back up with Chris Smalling over Phil Jones through sheer versatility and strength in the air.
Left-Backs: Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines are the obvious choices. I’d personally go for Baines in his current vein of form, along with his added quality of excellent delivery.
Right-Midfield: Andros Townsend has proved his worth in the two crucial qualifiers, if he can maintain his form and show his class at a domestic level for Spurs, he may even be able to usurp the other winger in the mix; Theo Walcott.
Centre-Midfield: Captain Steven Gerrard is the first name in any England squad and given recent performances alongside Frank Lampard, it would appear they’ve figured some system of playing alongside one another. Jack Wilshere is an obvious choice, but I find it hard to agree with including Michael Carrick in the squad with any great enthusiasm because he’s not a player that can change a game in an attacking sense. However, I’m swayed by his ability to hold the ball and protect a lead.
Left-Midfield: I’ve decided not to include Danny Welbeck under this heading, although it appears that’s where Hodgson has decided he wants to play him. I’d take Raheem Sterling, a fantastic player already who is perhaps perfect to terrorise international defences. Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain is an outstanding young player who certainly deserves his place in the starting eleven.
Strikers: Wayne Rooney finally seems to be settling into a great partnership with Daniel Sturridge, an attacking threat that can rival a lot of the other teams in the tournament. I mentioned Danny Welbeck earlier under the Left-Midfield bracket. I believe he should be included under the striker category because this is where he truly flourishes. Rickie Lambert has proved he can compete in an England team. He offers another outlet for the England midfield if Plan A doesn’t play out as well.
Honourable Mentions:
Jack Butland, Micah Richards, Michael Dawson, Steven Caulker, Kieran Gibbs, James Milner, Tom Cleverly, Ross Barkely, Scott Sinclair, Jermaine Defoe and Andy Carroll.
It’s difficult to pick a mixture of young talent and experience when so many of the England team struggle to play for their own teams. No England fan can really agree which players should go to the World Cup, and no one can predict who will even be available for selection. However I do feel that, with a bit of luck, England can progress with a bit more bite this year and show the world stage there is still some fire in the English belly.
Who do you think should be included in Hodgson’s World Cup Squad?
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