After England’s exit from Euro 2012 following their penalty shootout
loss against Italy last night, the Three Lions’ attention will turn swiftly to
qualification for the FIFA World Cup in 2014.
The campaign begins with an away tie against Moldova before England face fixtures against the rest of Group H which also includes both Euro 2012 hosts Ukraine and Poland, Montenegro and minnows San Marino who are currently ranked a lowly 206th in the FIFA rankings.
After hopefully a scare free progression from the group, we will travel to Brazil for the FIFA World Cup Finals. Here is a look at who I think will be in our starting line-up come our first group match of the tournament, providing no career ending injuries occur and Wayne Rooney doesn’t repeat his red card antics as seen prior to Euro 2012.
The England faithful will again be in full voice in Brazil.
(Picture by careybaird on Flickr)
Formation (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper – Joe Hart
Who else? The Manchester City stopper was exceptional at times during Euro 2012 but unfortunately he was powerless to prevent an Italian victory in the penalty shoot out. Hart is a sure thing to be England’s number 1 for many a year to come.
Right Back – Kyle Walker
The current PFA Young Player of the Year made his England debut in November and has yet to be fazed at international level. Walker would have almost certainly been included in Hodgson’s Euro 2012 squad had his toe injury not ruled him out of contention.
Centre Backs – Chris Smalling and Joleon Lescott
Injury ruled Smalling out of Euro 2012 but should he continue his meteoric rise up the football ladder he could well see himself facing up against the world’s best in Brazil. Lescott on the other hand made it to the Euros playing every minute of every England game and was arguably our best defender throughout the tournament. Despite being aged 31 in 2014, the imperious City centre half will still be at his peak.
Left Back – Leighton Baines
The Baines/Cole debate has gone on for the past 2 years and while Cole will most likely still be plying his trade in the Premier League, Baines will have age on his side. Being a free kick and penalty specialist gets Baines one up over Cole (who of course missed his penalty last night) and his cause is further aided by his fantastic crossing ability.
Right Wing – Theo Walcott
Walcott showed a rare glimpse of his potential in the international arena with his game changing cameo in our 3-2 group match victory over Sweden. A sublime equaliser from long range was soon followed by an explosive burst in the box and then a perfectly weighted cross to allow Danny Welbeck to grab the winner. If the Arsenal paceman can find some sort of consistency over the next 2 years then he can be a great asset for England in Brazil.
Centre Midfielders – Jack Rodwell and Josh McEachran
Providing Rodwell can put this year’s injury horror behind him and get back to full fitness he can be a sure bet to be involved for the Three Lions in Brazil should he also recapture the form that saw him gain his first England caps in November. Rodwell would also give a defensive edge to the England midfield. While McEachran is still relatively inexperienced at the top level, the next 2 years should see him playing more regular football allowing him to fulfil his potential. A technician on the ball he would serve to help us maintain possession of the ball in key areas.
Left Wing – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
After breaking into the Arsenal first team following his transfer from Southampton last summer, the Ox found himself in the England Euro 2012 squad after impressing the England coaching staff with his performances for the Gunners and England under 21s throughout the season. Similar to Walcott in style, Oxlade-Chamberlain would provide another pacey outlet in wide positions.
The 'does what he wants' role - Jack Wilshere
For too long now England have lacked greatly the fluidity needed to match their footballing counterparts. Often remaining rigid in formation we need to move on and adapt to the modern game. Our best hope at creating a goal scoring opportunity from thin air, Wilshere should be allowed to roam freely about the pitch, in and around the midfield and the lone frontman. He should be allowed to do exactly want he wants and to go wherever he wants. Some may say it is too much to pin our hopes on somebody who has already missed a full year of football due to injury, but Wilshere has the quality to be the English answer to the likes of Spanish midfield gems Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
Centre Forward – Wayne Rooney
Rooney is yet to deliver in a major international tournament for England since Euro 2004 when at just 18 years old he scored 4 goals before being struck by the dreaded metatarsal curse. Despite this, the best man to lead the line in 2 years will still be Wayne Rooney. His goal record speaks for itself and while he hasn’t quite lived up to his name on the world stage he will still be our best hope up top.
So there we have it. Hart, Walker, Smalling, Lescott, Baines, Walcott, Rodwell, McEachran, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilshere, Rooney. But don’t start pinning your hopes on them yet. Well not until they have got practising their penalties anyway!
The campaign begins with an away tie against Moldova before England face fixtures against the rest of Group H which also includes both Euro 2012 hosts Ukraine and Poland, Montenegro and minnows San Marino who are currently ranked a lowly 206th in the FIFA rankings.
After hopefully a scare free progression from the group, we will travel to Brazil for the FIFA World Cup Finals. Here is a look at who I think will be in our starting line-up come our first group match of the tournament, providing no career ending injuries occur and Wayne Rooney doesn’t repeat his red card antics as seen prior to Euro 2012.
(Picture by careybaird on Flickr)
Formation (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper – Joe Hart
Who else? The Manchester City stopper was exceptional at times during Euro 2012 but unfortunately he was powerless to prevent an Italian victory in the penalty shoot out. Hart is a sure thing to be England’s number 1 for many a year to come.
Right Back – Kyle Walker
The current PFA Young Player of the Year made his England debut in November and has yet to be fazed at international level. Walker would have almost certainly been included in Hodgson’s Euro 2012 squad had his toe injury not ruled him out of contention.
Centre Backs – Chris Smalling and Joleon Lescott
Injury ruled Smalling out of Euro 2012 but should he continue his meteoric rise up the football ladder he could well see himself facing up against the world’s best in Brazil. Lescott on the other hand made it to the Euros playing every minute of every England game and was arguably our best defender throughout the tournament. Despite being aged 31 in 2014, the imperious City centre half will still be at his peak.
Left Back – Leighton Baines
The Baines/Cole debate has gone on for the past 2 years and while Cole will most likely still be plying his trade in the Premier League, Baines will have age on his side. Being a free kick and penalty specialist gets Baines one up over Cole (who of course missed his penalty last night) and his cause is further aided by his fantastic crossing ability.
Right Wing – Theo Walcott
Walcott showed a rare glimpse of his potential in the international arena with his game changing cameo in our 3-2 group match victory over Sweden. A sublime equaliser from long range was soon followed by an explosive burst in the box and then a perfectly weighted cross to allow Danny Welbeck to grab the winner. If the Arsenal paceman can find some sort of consistency over the next 2 years then he can be a great asset for England in Brazil.
Centre Midfielders – Jack Rodwell and Josh McEachran
Providing Rodwell can put this year’s injury horror behind him and get back to full fitness he can be a sure bet to be involved for the Three Lions in Brazil should he also recapture the form that saw him gain his first England caps in November. Rodwell would also give a defensive edge to the England midfield. While McEachran is still relatively inexperienced at the top level, the next 2 years should see him playing more regular football allowing him to fulfil his potential. A technician on the ball he would serve to help us maintain possession of the ball in key areas.
Left Wing – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
After breaking into the Arsenal first team following his transfer from Southampton last summer, the Ox found himself in the England Euro 2012 squad after impressing the England coaching staff with his performances for the Gunners and England under 21s throughout the season. Similar to Walcott in style, Oxlade-Chamberlain would provide another pacey outlet in wide positions.
The 'does what he wants' role - Jack Wilshere
For too long now England have lacked greatly the fluidity needed to match their footballing counterparts. Often remaining rigid in formation we need to move on and adapt to the modern game. Our best hope at creating a goal scoring opportunity from thin air, Wilshere should be allowed to roam freely about the pitch, in and around the midfield and the lone frontman. He should be allowed to do exactly want he wants and to go wherever he wants. Some may say it is too much to pin our hopes on somebody who has already missed a full year of football due to injury, but Wilshere has the quality to be the English answer to the likes of Spanish midfield gems Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
Centre Forward – Wayne Rooney
Rooney is yet to deliver in a major international tournament for England since Euro 2004 when at just 18 years old he scored 4 goals before being struck by the dreaded metatarsal curse. Despite this, the best man to lead the line in 2 years will still be Wayne Rooney. His goal record speaks for itself and while he hasn’t quite lived up to his name on the world stage he will still be our best hope up top.
So there we have it. Hart, Walker, Smalling, Lescott, Baines, Walcott, Rodwell, McEachran, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wilshere, Rooney. But don’t start pinning your hopes on them yet. Well not until they have got practising their penalties anyway!
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