Our Picks: CaughtOffside Writers Name Their 23-Man England Squads for World Cup 2014 in Brazil

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Tom

Jack Butland
Fraser Forster
Joe Hart

Leighton Baines
Gary Cahill
Jagielka
Glen Johnson
Phil Jones
Luke Shaw
Kyle Walker

Ross Barkley
Gareth Barry
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Steven Gerrard
Jordan Henderson
Adam Lallana
Jack Wilshere

Rickie Lambert
Jay Rodriguez
Wayne Rooney
Raheem Sterling
Daniel Sturridge
Danny Welbeck

There’s little argument that Joe Hart is the No.1 and behind the Manchester City stopper it’s better to think long-term. As a result Fraser Forster and Jack Butland get places ahead of Ben Foster and John Ruddy.

In defence there are decisions to be made at both right and left back, with a straight fight between Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker on the right, and between youngster Luke Shaw or stalwart Ashley Cole as Leighton Baines’ deputy. Shaw gets the nod because – although Cole has been arguably England’s best player of the last ten years – the Chelsea man is clearly lacking form at both domestic and international level.

Centrally Gary Cahill is a top defender and despite Phil Jagielka’s lack of pace the Everton captain is still by far the best option to partner the Blues star. Beyond that things begin to look bleak and that is why just three centre-backs are in this squad, with the versatile Phil Jones taking the final spot as neither Steven Caulker or Chris Smalling have done enough to warrant a place.

Midfield is where things begin to get a little tricky, with skipper Steven Gerrard the only certainty in the middle of the park. The Reds legend’s club team-mate Jordan Henderson has also proven his critics wrong and has had a brilliant season at Anfield, meaning the 23-year-old deserves to be included. Jack Wilshere has decent technique and passing, whilst Gareth Barry deserves a recall after a great campaign on-loan at Goodison Park. In terms of form the 33-year-old is ahead of Manchester United duo Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley and with great defensive nous and experience, would be a useful addition against superior sides.

In attacking midfield, Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana proved they are good additions in the friendly against Denmark, whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has similarly useful traits to Jones with the ability to play in a variety of positions. Beyond that Roy Hodgson should opt for a couple of wildcard picks, with the extra place due to seven defenders allowing for this. Despite having a poor Three Lions debut Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez has been brilliant in the Premier League, whilst Ross Barkley’s youth and enthusiasm could be the ideal weapon from the bench.

Finally the strike force is perhaps the strongest area – if Hodgson can find the right balance between Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge that is. The duo are both included, whilst Danny Welbeck’s fine form for the Red Devils in what has been a poor season for them also earns the 23-year-old a place. Finally Saints striker Rickie Lambert, who is not just there to be the much maligned ‘big man.’ The 31-year-old provides much more than that and also possesses a different physical and technical style to the other forwards.

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