The Three Lions could have a whole new look in four years time.
Despite a quiet optimism surrounding Roy Hodgson’s management of the England national team ahead of the 2014 World Cup, the Three Lions crashed out of the tournament at the group stage with just a single point from three games.
Although this statistic denies the positives of the country’s performances – particularly against Italy in their opener – it’s clear that significant improvements are needed if they want to get anywhere near winning another major international trophy.
Whilst Hodgson will be in charge until after the Euro 2016 competition in France, CaughtOffside is looking a little further ahead to the next World Cup in Russia and here is how we think the English could be lining up in four years time.
GK – Joe Hart
Although the so-called ‘peak period’ of goalkeepers appears to be getting younger and younger – just look at 22-year-old Thibaut Courtois – the Manchester City No.1 is still only 27-years-old and therefore, as the best choice between the sticks by some way, there is no reason to think that will not still be the case in 2018.
RB – Calum Chambers
It’s a different story at right-back however, where Liverpool’s Glen Johnson proved for both club and country over the past 12 months that he is simply no longer good enough at the top level.
For his defensive fragility Johnson’s saving grace was always his attacking prowess and with that diminishing, Southampton’s Chambers could well be the man in the position if he continues to progress at his current rate.
CB – John Stones
Another youngster now and David Moyes’ last signing at Everton really progressed under Roberto Martinez in 2013/14, proving that he was a far better central defender than right-back in the process.
Stones was Hodgson’s backup choice for the World Cup as well, proving that at 20-years-old the centre-back is already on the cusp of the national team and with club teammate Phil Jagielka struggling, could be the natural successor.
CB – Gary Cahill
By the time of the competition in Russia the Chelsea ace will be one of the elder statesman at 32-years-old, but an experienced head is always needed and Cahill would supply that in buckets.
There’s no reason to think that the centre-back will not be in the Blues team for years to come with arguably his best campaign at the club coming in 2013/14 and he looks like a top-class star.
LB – Luke Shaw
The Saints’ prolific youth academy could have a big part to play in this XI and after completing a £27m transfer to Manchester United this summer Shaw is expected to go onto be one of the best players in the Premier League in the future.
Whether or not the 19-year-old follows in the footsteps of another St Mary’s product Gareth Bale and converts to the wing remains to be seen, but the teenager certainly possesses great talent regardless.
CM – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
More talent that earned his stripes on the south coast now and a midfielder who is greatly developing at Arsenal currently and looks to be a modern English footballer ready for the biggest stage.
Although bought as a winger, Oxlade-Chamberlain proved last season with a fine performances against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16 that his future could well lie in the middle of the park.
CM – Jordan Henderson
Alongside the Gunner is a Reds ace who finally showed last term why Sunderland were paid £20m for his services in 2011, with his ability to operate as a box-to-box midfielder.
With Henderson and Oxlade-Chamberlain working in tandem their athleticism and talent should ensure they can mix attack and defence seamlessly.
AM – Ross Barkley
Slightly ahead of them in a more attacking role is another youngster who was included in Hodgson’s 23-man squad for the World Cup in a bid to promote youth and look to the future.
Barkley was solid enough during his three appearances at the tournament, but under a great mentor like Martinez the 20-year-old could well come on in leaps and bounds in the next four years.
RW – Raheem Sterling
The last 12 months have been something of a coming of age for this 19-year-old, who finally added a keen eye for goal and purpose to his raw talent and pace for the Merseysiders.
Brendan Rodgers is largely to thank for this progression and Sterling showed at the World Cup that he could be the nation’s most exciting player of the coming years.
ST – Daniel Sturridge
It’s taken longer than Sturridge probably would have liked to be recognised as a top-class striker, but now aged 24-years-old the forward has also flourished under Rodgers at Anfield in the last 18 months.
At 28-years-old at the next World Cup the former Blues and City man should be at just the right point in his career to lead the line on his own to great effect.
LW – Danny Welbeck
Completing the front three is something of a gamble of an inclusion, with Welbeck undeniably showing great talent at times, but work is needed for the Red Devils forward to reach his potential.
The 23-year-old is technically gifted and if he can become more direct in his game could well be the perfect foil to Sturridge and Sterling.
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