With the draw for the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil set to take place on Friday afternoon, we at CaughtOffside have predicted the ideal 23-man squad that England head coach Roy Hodgson should take with him to South America next summer.
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Still very much England’s No 1, despite the fact that the Manchester City shot stopper cannot currently get a game for his club side.
However, unless something extraordinary happens between now and the start of the World Cup next June, then the 26-year-old will be lining up between the posts for England in their opening match at Brazil 2014.
Goalkeeper: Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion)
Despite controversially opting to turn his back on his country, the Baggies keeper has since been called back into the international fold by his former club manager and now the England boss, and as long as the 30-year-old has recovered fully from injury by next summer, then the 30-year-old will be on the plane to Rio as Hart’s understudy.
Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster (Glasgow Celtic)
The in-form Hoops No 1 was recently handed his England debut by manager Roy Hodgson in a friendly international against Chile at Wembley Stadium and now looks to have just edged ahead of Norwich City’s John Ruddy in the race to be Three Lions’ third-choice keeper at Brazil 2014.
Right Back: Glen Johnson (Liverpool)
The marauding Reds full back should just manage to hold off the challenge of Tottenham Hotspur’s Kyle Walker in the battle to be England’s starting right back in South America next summer in what will be the 29-year-old’s second appearance at the World Cup finals.
Perhaps the only thing stopping the young Red Devil from gaining an automatic starting place in Roy Hodgson’s team next summer is the 21-year-old’s versatility, with still many experts undecided about where the player’s best position is, in central defence or as a holding midfield player.
Centre Back: Chris Smalling (Manchester United)
Another up-and-coming defender from Old Trafford that looks like making it into England’s final 23-man squad for next summer’s World Cup finals, but not into Roy Hodgson’s actual starting lineup in Brazil.
Left Back: Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
It will be intriguing to see who the Three Lions head coach opts to start with as his left-sided full back at Brazil 2014, the veteran Blues defender or his rival from Goodison Park?
However, either way England appear to be in safe hands.
Left Back: Leighton Baines (Everton)
The 28-year-old has so far enjoyed yet another rock-s0lid campaign at the back for the Toffees, and will feel justifiably hard done by were he not to get the nod for England’s opening fixture at next year’s competition.
Central Midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool, Captain)
The driving force and inspiration from the middle of the park is the first name down on Roy Hodgson’s team sheet after the eye-catching displays that the 33-year-old has turned in for his country ever since the Three Lions boss handed him the national armband at the start of his tenure.
Central Midfield: Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
One of the few real creative sparks available to manager Roy Hodgson, who must be praying that the young Arsenal playmaker’s ankle does not flare up once again between now and next summer’s global event.
Central Midfield: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
The veteran Blues star should just about manage to fend off rival claims to his spot in the final 23-man squad selected by Roy Hodgson.
Central Midfield: Tom Cleverley (Manchester United)
A definite favourite of the Three Lions boss, although interestingly enough, when the real crunch qualifiers came along in October, the 24-year-old then lost his place in the team.
Central Midfield: Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
This should be the 32-year-old’s last appearance in the finals of a major international tournament, although whether the holding man will get the nod to start for his country is another matter entirely.
Winger: Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur)
England’s break-out star of the qualifiers, and now one of their most important players if the wide man’s brilliant recent displays for the Three Lions are anything to go by.
Winger: Theo Walcott (Arsenal)
Another flyer from north London who could have a pivotal role to play on the flanks for England at next summer’s tournament.
Playmaker: Ross Barkley (Everton)
There is always one player who makes a late run to earn a surprise place in the final squad, and this time that man looks like being the young Toffees star.
Striker: Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)
The Spurs goal poacher may not be in Roy Hodgson’s starting XI, but the 31-year-old is always a useful man to have on the substitutes’ bench should things not be going quite according to plan.
Striker: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Again, much like Steven Gerrard before him, the 28-year-old will be one of the very first names down on the England team sheet at next summer’s tournament.
Striker: Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
Judging by the sensational form the Reds front man has been showing for the Merseysiders so far in this campaign, the 24-year-old is sure to partner Wayne Rooney in attack at Brazil 2014.
Striker: Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)
The 23-year-old has an uncanny ability of finding the back of the net for his country, which should see the player get the nod for next summer’s competition in South America.
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