Soccer Shorts' England
23 Man Squad for Euro 2012:
First XI:
GK: Joe Hart: He is quite simply the first name on the team sheet,
potentially the only unanimous choice in the country alongside Wayne Rooney. Superb
all season, and has the ability to make match winning-saves. One of Europe ’s
best. At 25, he has a seemingly long international career ahead of him, with
this his first tournament where he will be number 1.
RB: Kyle Walker: voted young player of the year, reflecting
a superb breakthrough season for the 21 year old. He will surely be first
choice right back and his purported defensive frailties are covered by his
lighting pace. He can potentially be a new, right-sided Ashley Cole and
therefore must be given a chance to shine in tournament football.
CB: Rio Ferdinand: Has invaluable
experience in European and World Cup tournaments, and will be a vital old head
to share his wisdom with the younger players. His form has been great in the
last third of the season, enough to warrant his inclusion whether he starts or
not. It seems John Terry will not be selected due to the imminent court case, with
that very issue being the crux of Capello’s decision to resign after the FA
stripped him of captaincy. It would seem contradictory to believe the FA would
have hired Hodgson without the agreement that Terry would be left out. This is
a shame for Terry and England
as he has been in supreme form (bar the recent Andy Carroll run-around). But
for squad unity it also seems best he stays at home. Ferdinand is another
leader on the pitch and also a man for the big occasion. Ageing players at
centre back is not uncommon at this level and at 33 he will provide the vocal
leadership for the back four.
CB: Joleon Lescott: He edges Gary Cahill for a starting
berth for us, as he has played near enough all season in a potentially title
winning side, whereas Cahill spent the first half of the season at a poor
Bolton side (where he didn’t show the greatest form), and he’s been injured recently,
as well as shuffled in and out of the Chelsea side since his arrival. Lescott
looked great with Jagielka against Spain ,
and has proven he can hack it at the top level. At 29, he is reaching his peak.
LB: Ashley Cole: Still one of the top left backs if not the
best left back in football, Mr goal-line clearance himself must start. At 31
and full of experience much like Ferdinand, he must play, and his on-pitch
qualities and advice can be very important to an England
team likely to depend on defensive solidity. Another faultless big game player
and each game in Poland/Ukraine will be just that.
RM: Aaron Lennon: Perhaps the most explosive winger in the Premiership
(alongside Walcott) who combines pace with devastatingly incisive runs and
invariably finds a way past the fullback at some stage of a match. He always
seems to create a chance for the striker, and defenders hate playing against
his pace. However, they are terrified of the combination of intelligence in
addition to pace, and Lennon certainly has that. It is no coincidence that when
out of the Spurs team through injury, they lost their balance and results
faltered. He’s played in a World Cup (2006) and wouldn’t be fazed by tournament
football. He has had a few injuries so will be relatively fresh. He will
provide an effective outlet for the less mobile centre midfielders, and can
play from the left or right. At 25 (surprisingly young), he still has a future
with the national side.
CM: Michael Carrick: he plays, for us, because Paul Scholes
will likely not come out of retirement, and he is the most natural alternative.
Suited to international football, he is an able and accurate passer and vitally
maintains possession of the ball. He is in a rich vein of form and this seems
to have gone unnoticed by the media at large when discussing the England team. We find the fact he has been overlooked absolutely staggering. A winner of titles, and now at 30, he must start. He could still be up for
discussion when Brazil 2014 arrives.
AM: Steven Gerrard ©: A man who thrives as a leader of men.
Therefore, place him in the hole behind the one striker and let him have space
to roam into with less emphasis on defending, and you have a real match winner
on your hands. With Carrick behind him to find the passes to Gerrard, he could
provide link-up play with the striker and (if they get the chance to play
together) he and Rooney seem to share the same wavelength. Lampard has been in
better form than Gerrard, but England
do not play a formation to suit Lampard (a diamond midfield) and have never
really found a way to accommodate him. Gerrard still has the ability to drive
forward with acceleration, linking to the front man, something Lampard seems to
lack, despite his superb passing and shooting abilities. Parker, Carrick and
Lampard would be an extremely slow midfield trio. Therefore Gerrard must be in
the first team, and is an obvious choice for the captaincy. He is one of the
finest midfielders of his generation, and it seems appropriate for him to
captain his country on what, at 31, is likely his international farewell
tournament.
CDM: Scott Parker: A tough call between him and Gareth Barry,
but the sheer fact Barry is not as tenacious as Parker in the tackle means we must exclude him. With
Carrick more of an interceptor than a tackler, its vital England ’s
midfield has some steel, and the Spurs man provides this. (In the games in
which England
may be on the back-foot more often than not, e.g. vs. France, a midfield trio
of Parker, Carrick/Gerrard and Barry may be preferable). At 31, he too may see
his one and only tournament, but his form is too good to ignore.
LM: Ashley Young: A man who was once compared to Cristiano
Ronaldo by some sections of the media during his Villa days must play from the
left for England .
He possesses goal scoring quality and that’s invaluable for wingers. He can
move onto either foot and bamboozle defenders and whilst Lennon’s final ball
may be questioned, Young’s is not. He will provide a bit of the unpredictable
against defences and could be the key to unlock them.
STR: Andy Carroll (Until Rooney available): This is the
toughest position to decide upon with Rooney suspended, as it just isn’t a clear
cut decision. It seems like the pony-tailed Geordie is coming back into some form
and confidence at the perfect time and against Chelsea
(twice) illustrated why £35 million was a once deemed somewhere near an acceptable
fee for him by some of the upper echelons at Liverpool. Yes he’s had a poor season, but if
he displays current form in the friendly matches before the provisional squad
must be cut to 23, he must play. He is unplayable on his day, and will provide
essential hold-up play for Gerrard (who knows his game well by now) and any
midfielders breaking to join him. His aerial abilities will give defenders real
trouble and with the right service he could prove the best choice. He is still
young, and this tournament experience will benefit him looking forward.
Whereas Grant Holt has scored 14 league goals (in his first season in
the Premiership), he is 31 years old. If he had been tested in the past year in
competitive England
games, and fared well, then he’d be on the plane. However it seems the
tournament has come at the wrong time for him and including him would really contradict the idea
of building for the future. Unlike the other +30’s we have selected, his form
hasn’t been so good as to make him indispensable to the team. Carroll is just
23, and we are convinced he has a future with the national team, offering power
many strikers cannot.
The Reserves:
Ben Foster: Been solid for WBA this season, Hodgson will
have seen first hand his consistent performances and top reflexes. He’s
relatively young for a goalkeeper at 29 and a reliable backup. This is assuming
Hodgson could tempt him out of international retirement; if not, Robert Green
gets the call.
Fraser Forster: A man-mountain at 6ft 7 who has commanded the Celtic area this season and last
in the SPL. Over 40 clean sheets in 2 seasons on loan from Newcastle are not to
be sneered at. He is only 24 and thus a future prospect and the tournament
experience can only benefit him. If called upon, the mere size of him means he
would be imposing and he doesn’t look like a character to shy away from a
challenge. We are surprised he has not been discussed in the broader media. The experience could lead to him becoming Hart's established backup.
Micah Richards: A bowling-ball of a man, he’s had a decent
season, peaking around Christmas time. He’s been kept out recently by Zabaleta
(who has been on supreme form) but has still played 24 premier league games.
His ability to play centre back too makes him an appealing option. From the
bench he could provide impetus and his power against tiring legs could be
decisive. Glen Johnson just misses out as we believe he is more defensively
unreliable than Richards, though both are a tad clumsy. Richards shades it for us.
Gary Cahill: Looks a top prospect to succeed John Terry at Chelsea
and for England .
He is athletic, powerful, and has the ability to bring the ball out from the
back, linking with the midfield and keeping possession. He also seems confident enough to be relied upon in big games, as seen
for Chelsea vs. Barcelona .
Cahill is a great backup centre back, and should Rio Ferdinand succumb to
injury, it would not unsettle him to be a starter. At 26, he could be a first-team
member come Brazil 2014.
Phil Jones: The experience will be great for Jones, still
19, who is certainly going to be an England
international for years to come, with early season comparisons to the great
Duncan Edwards as well as calls for him to be future England
captain. Much like Rio Ferdinand going to World Cup 98 at just 19, Jones should
emulate him at the Euros. If called upon, he’s versatile enough to play centre
back, full back or holding midfield (as he did vs. Spain ).
He is a physical presence to be reckoned with, which opposition players will not enjoy.
Leighton Baines: Had another superb season for Everton, and
seems a very reliable option. He has taken over from Wayne
Bridge
Frank Lampard: tough to leave out of the 1st XI
given his current top form, but as mentioned he doesn’t quite fit the system
suggested and is the type of player only really comfortable playing in one formation.
He is not best utilised at defensive midfield. However, he would prove a great
option from the bench if England were in need of a goal. Again, he is great for the dressing
room, and widely respected. He isn't on the plane based on reputation; he's genuinely had a brilliant second half of the season.
Gareth Barry: Has been in exemplary form for Man City Germany will haunt England fans to this day. But against the odds he has emerged a superior player. His passing ability and added balance to the team is a valuable asset. Just edges Milner for us.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: Shades Theo Walcott in our squad,
even many Arsenal fans see him as ‘Walcott with a brain’. It’s always good to
take an unknown quantity to a tournament (ironic that he should take Walcott’s place).
Chamberlain is versatile, technical and explosive, with a clever football brain
to go with it. From the bench this would give defenders something extra and
mysterious to think about. He can play on either wing and is capable in a
central role. Lots of people suggesting he hasn't played enough games to justify an inclusion. This may be true, but what he has shown is the quality that makes him a worthy addition and we believe he shows more promise than Walcott. Just 18 years old, this wonderkid can only improve and this learning curb will do
just that for his game.
Wayne Rooney: Along with Joe Hart, without suspension he’s a
unanimous choice to start. He’s due a good tournament since bursting onto the scene at
Euro 2004 at the age of 18. He scored 4 goals there, yet strangely hasn’t
scored in two World Cups since then. He will come in fresh for the 3rd
game, which hopefully will mean he’ll be fired up and give the team a boost. This
could be a tournament remembered for his impact. At 26 years old, he’s 1 goal shy of his
best ever career total of 34 goals, and in sublime form.
Danny Welbeck: Seemingly a pencilled in choice after a
decent season for Man Utd alongside Rooney. Partnerships are important in
football, and he and Rooney have drawn comparisons with Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole.
If given the chance he could prove effective on the international scene, from
now and for the next decade, being just 21. His languid style and good link-up
play mean he could also play up on his own if Carroll cannot. He has played all
season in a team that demands the very best, standing him in good stead for the
pressures of playing for your country.
Daniel Sturridge: He has had a mixed year, has definitely
got a bit of je ne sais quoi about
him, but a seemingly selfish attitude on the field will not be welcome in a
team which needs teamwork and cooperation to succeed. Robbie Di Matteo seems to
have latched onto this, and he has dropped him from the first team (with great
success). He is potentially a little immature to make the plane, but it is a
very tough call. We would take him as he can play from the right and also
insists he is best on his own up front. Being left footed he could play from
the left too should Ashley Young succumb to injury. His unique ability to
create something from nothing leads us to believe he must travel with the
squad. At 23, he most definitely has the opportunity to succeed at this level,
with the right attitude. A risk worth taking.
Just missing out:
John Ruddy: has dropped a few clangers this season despite
some very good performances. Admitted in a recent BBC football focus interview
that he doesn’t think he is an England
international – suggesting he may not have the composure/strength of character
if called upon in a tense tournament match situation.
Scott Carson: quietly gone about his business in Turkey
for Bursaspor. But after such a poor performance against Croatia
in 2008 and the subsequent media hammering, we believe he would have serious
confidence issues if called upon.
Robert Green: has been impressive for West Ham and narrowly
misses the squad, hard to believe the howler against the USA in South Africa would not play on his mind if called upon. Similar situation to Carson .
Paul Robinson: Solid goalkeeper who has performed astutely since announcing international retirement. If he was to announce his
availability, he would be a contender for the third goalkeeper spot. Although
there are still question marks over his mobility, his distribution is
second to none.
Glen Johnson: Still questions over him defensively in terms
of tactical awareness, and he seems very clumsy and not quite as mobile as Micah
Richards. We could see him making a costly error, and as such he does not make
the squad. Despite this decision, there isn’t much between him and Richards.
Chris Smalling: He has not seemed to play quite as well in the last third of
the season as the early season suggested he could, definitely one for the future but Phil Jones just shades it. (note - announced he’s ruled out of Euro 2012 due to injury)
John Terry: There is little doubt he is England ’s
best centre-back on current form. Yet for reasons stated above about his
impending court case and possible detrimental effect on team unity, he simply
cannot be considered.
Phil Jagielka: was immense against Spain and has 10 international caps ,
and will feel hard done by to miss out, but Cahill and Lescott just edge it for
us in terms of quality. If Cahill doesn’t make it back from his hamstring injury, Jagielka is drafted in.
Kieran Gibbs: Only had 2 games for England ,
the Euros seem to have come a year too soon. He has actually only played 15
league games for Arsenal this season due to various injuries. He will likely be
in future England
squads.
David Beckham: Still offers invaluable experience and
unparalleled passing ability, but the slower pace in the MLS means he’s simply
no longer adaptable to the demands of international football, at 37. It is likely he is going
to captain Team GB in the Olympics.
Steward Downing: 0 assists, 0 goals in the Premiership for Liverpool .
Hodgson is a stats man and this leaves Downing with little hope. The stats
don’t even shroud a good season for Downing, he has genuinely disappointed
since his move from Villa. With a turnaround in fortunes he could be in the squad for Brazil 2014.
Theo Walcott: In spite of what was just conveyed, Walcott has
had his best season statistically with 8 goals and 8 assists. However, this
papers over the cracks in his game. All too often he is head-down with blinkers
on and often loses possession with painful ease, which at international level
will most certainly cost England .
They must keep the ball when they turn it over, and Lennon is better at this,
and has formed a good understanding with our right back Kyle Walker, at Spurs.
At 23, Walcott must keep improving, and we believe he is more effective as a
striker than a winger. If he finds his way, his international career will
continue.
Adam Johnson: Fresh and underused at Man
City
Joe Cole: The flamboyant midfielder has bounced back from his disastrous Liverpool
stint in France
for Lille , but has not been outstanding,
and has lost his place in the team of late. There are seemingly better options
than him, and he is not the player he once was, sadly. It’s a shame, especially
as he was so consistently impressive in an England
shirt and genuinely seemed to take pride in playing for his country.
Jack Rodwell: If he was fit, he still wouldn’t make the
squad, he hasn’t yet lived up to the promise he has been touted with. Worries are
that he might be another Jermaine Jenas, who never quite fulfils his promise. Conversely, at a mere 20 years of age, he could prosper as part of a new generation of English centre midfielders if he develops accordingly.
Paul Scholes: if available he would be on the plane and in the
first team without question. He is ideal for international football. It is no
surprise he is Xavi’s favourite player, they are of a similar ilk. Zidane said
he’s the best player he played against, which speaks volumes. He hasn’t lost
any of that ability, though possibly a bit of pace (but his game doesn’t
require speed) and as the games wear on he may find himself struggling with the
tempo. However, if he came out of retirement, I fully expect Hodgson would pick
him.
James Milner: Seems to have a bottomless pit of a fuel tank,
and is extremely versatile (even played right back in world cup 2010). He’s guaranteed
to put the effort in to allow those around him to flourish. He looks to be a
level-headed guy, is still young and potentially deserving of a place. He will
be in contention for future tournaments. But Gareth Barry has been the better
player this year, so Milner just misses out.
Grant Holt: Flavour of the month. It must be remembered,
this is his first season in the Premier League, and at 31, this shows us that
he simply isn’t international quality. Much like how Zamora
and Bothroyd were perceived; battering rams to unsettle defenders, this is not
enough at the very top level. His all round build-up play and first touch will
be exposed at international level. For this reason I believe Holt cannot be on
the plane. He has no future with the team sadly, whereas Andy Carroll, a
similar, younger and potentially superior player, does.
Peter Crouch: Again at 31, coming to the end of his career
with England .
Yes he has a great record for England ,
but very few goals are against top teams or in important games. The top
defenders know how to deal with Crouch, and for one so tall he is in fact very
weak in the air. Andy Carroll takes his spot. On the bench we prefer more
dynamic options such as Welbeck and Sturridge.
Jermain Defoe: With England probably preferring one up top,
Defoe has shown when playing for Spurs in this system his ineffectiveness in
this role. He ‘is always good for a goal’, but again, at international level
you need to have more in terms of link up play and hold up play. He doesn’t
offer enough of these qualities or enough tactical versatility to make the
squad.
Danny Graham: Suits the Swansea
formation well and leads the line relatively well too. Scored 10 premier league
goals, but like Holt, he doesn’t have that extra skill to go with his presence
that’s needed at international level.
Darren Bent: Very unlikely he will be fit, but if so, he
wouldn’t take Sturridge’s place. Of course he scores goals, but his all-round
play is poor (a major reason he did not succeed at Spurs) and this leads us to
the conclusion that he would not make the 23 man squad.
Jack Wilshere: If fit, he would be starting and we would be
building a team around him, a genuine superstar in the making. We just have to
hope he recovers for next season; an Owen Hargreaves repeat would not be
welcome.
Bobby Zamora: Unfortunately the move from Fulham to QPR hasn't quite worked out yet, with a real drought in terms of goals and good performances. Despite this, he is a Roy Hodgson favorite from their Fulham days together, and its not unthinkable that he will make the 23 man squad.
Bobby Zamora: Unfortunately the move from Fulham to QPR hasn't quite worked out yet, with a real drought in terms of goals and good performances. Despite this, he is a Roy Hodgson favorite from their Fulham days together, and its not unthinkable that he will make the 23 man squad.
Wild Cards: Tom Ince, Nathan Redmond, Scott Sinclair, Ryan Shawcross, Tom
Cleverley, Ricky Lambert, Michael Owen, Gabby Agbonlahor, Jordan Henderson, Danny Murphy. These are unlikely call-ups, but you never
know what Hodgson is thinking (he is a big fan of Danny Murphy). We expect he will go with the more tried and
tested players.
Our Starting XI:
Hart
Walker Ferdinand Lescott Cole
Lennon Carrick Parker Young
Gerrard
Carroll (Rooney*)
For defensive games (e.g. versus France ):
4-5-1
Hart
Lennon Gerrard Parker
Barry
Young
Carroll (Rooney*)
For offensive games during which we may expect to dominate possession (e.g.
versus Ukraine/Sweden):
Hart
Lennon Carrick Gerrard Young
Carroll (Rooney*) Welbeck
Reserve XI:
4-3-3
Foster
Richards
Jones Cahill Baines
Chamberlain Lampard Barry
Sturridge Carroll Welbeck
Sturridge Carroll Welbeck
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