After England defeated Denmark last night, here’s who we think Roy Hodgson should select in his starting XI to face Italy in the Three Lions’ opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Joe Hart
Barring injury, Joe Hart is assured of his place for England.
Roy Hodgson stuck by the Manchester City goalkeeper even when he was dropped by his club, and the fact that the Three Lions boss elected against giving any of Hart’s three rivals in the squad a run-out suggests he has total confidence in his number one.
Glen Johnson
Kyle Walker has performed well this season for Tottenham Hotspur, but one suspects that Roy Hodgson will go with the experience of Glen Johnson at right back.
Walker is a better athlete, but Johnson is better technically, and with Raheem Sterling in pole position to start on the right wing, the Liverpool pair’s established relationship could give Johnson the edge.
Leighton Baines
Despite Leighton Baines being the one left back in the squad not given an opportunity to impress against Denmark, that is likely because Roy Hodgson knows all he needs to know about the Everton man.
Chelsea’s Ashley Cole and Luke Shaw of Southampton both auditioned last night to earn a place on the plane, but Baines can be assured of his seat.
Gary Cahill
Gary Cahill has been immensely solid at the back for Chelsea this season, and clearly benefits from an established partner alongside him.
For Chelsea, that has been John Terry, and for England, that has been Phil Jagielka.
Phil Jagielka
Often, a player’s importance to a team gains magnitude during his absence.
Jack Wilshere’s year out of the game resulted in people expecting him to return a world beater for Arsenal, for example.
Manchester United star Chris Smalling’s underwhelming performance did much for Phil Jagielka’s reputation.
The Everton centre back has got a good understanding with Gary Cahill, and that ought to continue in Brazil.
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard has been moved into a deeper role by Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool, and it has paid dividends, with the Reds skipper’s natural affinity for the tackle coming to the fore, and the additional space Gerrard is afforded further back allowing him more time to dictate play with fine passes into the channels.
Roy Hodgson replicated Rodgers’ move against Denmark, and Gerrard did not let him down.
Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere is one of two England players who either plays brilliantly or terribly, with seemingly little in between.
The Arsenal midfielder appeared off the pace against Denmark, but so impressive has his his dynamism, verve and creativity been in his Three Lions appearances against the likes of Brazil and Switzerland, that it would be a great risk to drop him.
Like many players, Wilshere appears to play more cautiously in the England side, and releasing the shackles could make him a hugely important player for his country at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney has scored more competitive goals for England than any other player, but while he shines in qualification campaigns, he has only managed five in major tournaments – four of which were in UEFA Euro 2004 as a teenager.
The Manchester United talisman can be a hugely frustrating player to watch when his radar is off, but that frustration comes from an awareness of his huge capabilities when at his best.
Moving Rooney into attacking midfield with license to join the attack could be the move that liberates the 28 year-old to play at his best.
Rooney has never scored a World Cup goal. The 2014 tournament could be his last chance to change that.
Adam Lallana
Southampton captain Adam Lallana provided the spark England needed against Denmark, with his skill and comfort using both feet bamboozling his markers.
Given his impressive displays in each of his three caps, Lallana has proven he deserves a starting role in the summer.
Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling has been sensational on the wing for Liverpool this season, but his impressively assured performance for England last night proved that he is far more than mere pace merchant.
The 19 year-old dropped deep a couple of times to lob clever through balls to Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge up front, and his tireless running and trickery put him first in line to take Theo Walcott’s World Cup place.
Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge’s form for Liverpool this season has been quite astonishing – he has only failed to score in four Premier League games in the current campaign.
While Wayne Rooney has long been the attacking focal point of the England side, it would be foolhardy to move the team’s most dangerous goalscorer out of position to accommodate him – particularly when Rooney is arguably a better player behind a striker than in the centre forward role himself.
Sturridge took time to find his place in this England team, but has scored three times in his last six caps, and his club performances suggest he should be be able to handle the responsibility of being appointed England’s chief goal getter.
After all, it is he who invariably plays centrally for Liverpool – despite his partner being the ridiculously prolific Uruguay striker Luis Suarez.
Full line-up: