Roy Hodgson made the curious decision of naming Manchester United striker Jesse Lingard as the replacement for Jamie Vardy on Sunday.
Vardy—arguably the Premier League’s in-form player at the moment—has scored 12 goals in his last 12 games, becoming the only player to achieve such a feat in the EPL, but will not be present for Tuesday’s friendly against France after being ruled out through injury.
He has been replaced by Lingard, despite the youngster only having scored one Premier League goal this season.
Lingard is an exciting talent and could well be an England player of the future, but is he ready to make an impact with the Three Lions now?
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We’re not so sure, and here are seven England players who we’d have picked ahead of the United talent.
Saido Berahino
He’s a controversial character, no doubt, but he was more Premier League experience—and more goals—than Lingard, and he’s courted by some of the division’s biggest clubs.
Surely Berahino—a contender for next summer’s squad—is a better bet than Lingard!
Charlie Austin
Was courted by some of the Premier League big boys this summer, and while he was ultimately priced out of a move by Queens Park Rangers, he’s knuckled down and shone in the Championship in recent weeks.
He has seven goals to date this season, and bagged 18 in 35 in the EPL last term.
Andy Carroll
Sure, he may be prone to injury, but Carroll has shown that his particular skillset can trouble defences and that he is a player capable of settling Premier League matches with ha decisive contribution.
His recent winner against Chelsea is evidence of his enduring quality, and Hodgson would do well to try to integrate him back into the squad.
Troy Deeney
The Watford skipper is a proven Championship performer—he managed 64 league goals in the last three seasons before earning promotion at the end of last term.
He took his time to get going this term, but has proved influential as Watford have amassed 14 points to date.
Jermain Defoe
Surely Hodgson should be building his squad now with an eye on the European Championships next summer.
If England are a goal down in the quarter-final and need a late winner, I’m sure there are one or two fans who’d rather the fox-in-the-box Defoe as an option from the bench rather than Lingard.
Jordon Ibe
Having confirmed that he’s keen to represent England ahead of Nigeria, Hodgson would do well to integrate the Liverpool forward into the squad. While Ibe isn’t an out-and-out striker, he can contribute in offensive areas and, as he showed for the Reds in the Europa League, knows how to find the net!
James Wilson
While James Wilson will surely be delighted to see his teammate receive international recognition, he must be asking why Hodgson has plumped for Lingard over himself.
Wilson made 13 appearances under Louis van Gaal last term, and already has three Premier League goals to name.