Roy Hodgson has a difficult choice to make on the left side of defence.
Ahead of the 2014 World Cup one of England manager Roy Hodgson’s hardest choices is going to be who to select in the two left-backs slots in the 23-man squad.
For the upcoming friendly with Denmark three have been chosen – Everton’s Leighton Baines, Chelsea stalwart Ashley Cole and debutant from Southampton Luke Shaw – but there are also cases for Kieran Gibbs of Arsenal, or Tottenham Hotspur’s Danny Rose to earn a spot.
Here is a comparison of the the players Hodgson has at his disposal with statistics from this year’s Premier League season, courtesy of Squawka.
Leighton Baines – Everton, 22 caps
Matches: 21.
Pass completion: 87%.
Key passes: 30.
Tackles won: 46.
Tackles lost: 30.
Defensive errors: 1.
For a long time many have been stressing that Baines should be starting for the national team and it seems Hodgson is finally taking notice and will put the 29-year-old in the starting XI at the World Cup. Even though the full-back hasn’t been as impressive this term as the previous two, his stats are still solid and his set pieces are an added bonus.
Ashley Cole – Chelsea, 106 caps
Matches: 13.
Pass completion: 88%.
Key passes: 8.
Tackles won: 25.
Tackles lost: 19.
Defensive errors: 1.
Despite having been one of the best English players of the modern era, Cole’s form is dropping at just the wrong time and the 33-year-old has lost his place in the Blues team to Cesar Azpilicueta. Therefore selecting the veteran – no matter how much experience he has – is a risk by Hodgson if the team is looking to the future.
Kieran Gibbs – Arsenal, 3 caps
Matches: 23.
Pass completion: 80%.
Key passes: 9.
Tackles won: 35.
Tackles lost: 44.
Defensive errors: 0.
The 24-year-old is unlucky to exist at a time where there is an abundance of talent in his position, as Gibbs has been in fine form for the Gunners in what has been a solid defensive campaign for them. However, the full-back’s high level of tackles lost is something of a concern when the Three Lions are likely to be under attacking pressure in their World Cup group.
Danny Rose – Tottenham Hotspur, 0 caps
Matches: 13.
Pass completion: 81%.
Key passes: 9.
Tackles won: 23.
Tackles lost: 23.
Defensive errors: 2.
The outside chance and someone who has been injured too much this term to make enough of an impression, but with 29 caps for the Under-21 team is ready to make the step up. Although two defensive errors in just 13 appearances is not a good stat for Rose.
Luke Shaw – Southampton, 0 caps
Matches: 25.
Pass completion: 77%.
Key passes: 21.
Tackles won: 38.
Tackles lost: 26.
Defensive errors: 0.
The man most likely to take Cole’s spot in Hodgson’s squad despite being only 18-years-old, as the teenager has had two fine years with the Saints after breaking into their first team in 2012. Shaw has already been linked with big money moves away from St Mary’s and could well be the future of the national side.