COS writers name their England squad. Who’s in yours?
Following last night’s coma-inducing friendly win over Denmark, everyone has been feverishly picking their 23-man England squad for this summer’s World Cup in Brazil. If you didn’t know already, the match at Wembley was Roy Hodgson last chance to see his hopefuls wearing the Three Lions before he names his provisional 30-man squad – which is then whittled down to 23 after two more friendlies.
SEE ALSO: Top 10 Theo Walcott replacements for England at World Cup
Here at CaughtOffside, we couldn’t resist getting in on the action. You may not care what we think, but we care…so read it!
Below Adam, Dan, Tom and Richie name their squads and give their reasons…it’s compelling stuff.
Adam
Joe Hart
Fraser Forster
Jack Butland
Gary Cahill
Phil Jagielka
Phil Jones
Chris Smalling
Glen Johnson
Leighton Baines
Luke Shaw
Steven Gerrard
Jordan Henderson
James Milner
Jack Wilshere
Ross Barkley
Adam Lallana
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Raheem Sterling
Jay Rodriguez
Wayne Rooney
Danny Welbeck
Daniel Sturridge
Rickie Lambert
In goal, Joe Hart, Fraser Forster and Jack Butland. Hart is in by default, Forster due to his Champions League experience and because he’s the man I’d trust if Hart crocked himself, and Butland is the prospect who will benefit from the trip even if he doesn’t play.
I would only bring Glen Johnson as an orthodox right back. Kyle Walker’s a good athlete, but I’m not convinced his footballing brain (copyright Chris Waddle) is up to scratch, and I could see him getting caught out of position against a team with guile and movement. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling can fill in at right back if Johnson gets injured or suspended. At left back, Baines is first choice. Ashley Cole’s lack of first team football and Luke Shaw’s impressive maturity – not least on his England debut – should see the Saints youngster get the nod ahead of the Chelsea man.
I’m dropping Frank Lampard. The Chelsea midfielder isn’t in the first XI, turns 36 in the summer, and given his lack of pace is unlikely to make much of an impact substitute able to turn a game. While Andros Townsend does have such capability, his underwhelming form for Tottenham Hotspur means he loses out. I’d select James Milner as whatever I asked him to do, I know he wouldn’t let me down. Even if I asked him to knit me a jumper. Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling have all impressed this term, and deserve a chance in this tournament and beyond.
In the forward positions, Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney select themselves. So does Danny Welbeck given his international form. Rickie Lambert comes in as the last resort target man ahead of Andy Carroll (who doesn’t have a good touch for a big man). Given that only Sturridge has scored more Premier League goals than Jay Rodriguez this season, I’d give the Southampton man a chance. His versatility, movement and fine relationship with Saints colleagues Lallana and Lambert could come in handy.
Dan
Jack Butland
Ben Foster
Joe Hart
Leighton Baines
Gary Cahill
Steven Caulker
Phil Jagielka
Phil Jones
Luke Shaw
Kyle Walker
Ross Barkley
Gareth Barry
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Steven Gerrard
Adam Lallana
Jack Wilshere
Jordan Henderson
Rickie Lambert
Wayne Rooney
Raheem Sterling
Daniel Sturridge
Andros Townsend
Danny Welbeck
There’s no major surprises in the goalkeeping department, but I opted for Butland over Ruddy because he has a chance to challenge Hart in the future, and the experience will be useful. At the back, I left out Cashley; I’m a massive fan of Cole but there’s no point in taking him to sit on the bench when Shaw is not far behind, so I’ve gone with the Saints teenager as Baines’ understudy. I’ve also omitted Johnson – a tough call but there’s no need for two right backs because Phil Jones offers adequate cover. Caulker is in over Smalling because I think the Cardiff man is a better player (and a goal threat). Sorry Chris!
In midfield, I’ve gone for Barry over Carrick. He’s been better this season, takes a good penalty and can also deliver a set-piece, which gives him the edge over the Geordie. There’s no place for Lampard (see my Ashley Cole reasoning) and I really like Adam Lallana – he looks more comfortable and composed on the ball than anyone else in the squad, barring perhaps Gerrard. Henderson gets the nod over Milner as the reliable, boring and workmanlike CM, mainly because his club form is so good. Ross Barkley and the Ox will be a big part of our 2016/2018 campaigns and arguably deserve to make the 23 anyway.
I really wanted to go for Andy Carroll, as I rate him, but he doesn’t look fully fit yet and Rickie Lambert deserves a chance; his form for Saints has been brilliant and his rise through the leagues is inspirational. Defoe misses out (MLS is village) and so does Rodriguez even though he’s scored so many goals this season; I just feel that Townsend is more likely to change a game from the bench with his pace and direct running. There you have it; we’re going to win the World Cup.
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.
Richie
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Ben Foster, Jack Butland
Defenders: Glen Johnson, Kyle Walker, Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones
Midfielders: Raheem Sterling, Andros Townsend, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Jack Wilshere, Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkely
Strikers: Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Rickie Lambert
England’s first two keepers pick themselves, with Foster’s recent decision to come out of international retirement now seeing him leapfrog the likes of both Fraser Forster and John Ruddy to be Hart’s understudy. Hodgson should be brave and also take young Butland with him to Brazil this summer for the experience as the Stoke City backup will be Hart’s successor in goal for the Three Lions.
In defence, the England manager has few real headaches to contend with, with only the battle between veteran Chelsea left-back Cole and the young pretender from St Mary’s, Luke Shaw, likely to be most occupying his mind ahead of the final 23-man squad announcement in May.
However, Hodgson should go with the more experienced man to act as backup to Baines, while elsewhere a lack of serious alternatives means the Manchester United defensive duo of Smalling and Jones should get the nod to provide cover for first-choice centre-backs Cahill and Jagielka.
Midfield is where the Three Lions are most blessed with talent, which is why Hodgson should overload with players in this area of the field, especially on the wings where he has an abundance of choices to select from.
And that is why Hodgson should take all his wide men with him, especially as Sterling can play off the strikers in the ‘hole’ if needs be, while his club-mate from Anfield, Henderson, also deserves recognition for what has been an impressive campaign for the Reds.
Meanwhile, Saints skipper Lallana’s eye-catching 30-minute cameo against Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday was enough to see him also on the plane to Rio.
But it is up front where England have the most concerns, and that is why four front men will suffice for the tournament, three of which pick themselves, with the fourth spot going to in-form Southampton striker Lambert.