Lethal England Squad That Should Travel To Brazil (World Cup) Including Arsenal, Liverpool And Manchester United Stars

Every four years in England, albeit the showcase FIFA World Cup, a myriad of expectations grips the entire nation in a ceaseless bear hug. This year too, seems there is to be no exception to the rule and perhaps not the best time to dwell on Simon Kuper’s Soccernomics on why England always fail at the biggest of occasions. As Roy Hodgson’s nervy England edged Denmark in midweek’s friendly by the tiniest of margins, a header by Daniel Sturridge, it perhaps brings time to select the best possible 23 man squad for Brazil in three and a half months time. Will England’s potentially underachieving Golden Generation finally stand up and get counted or will the three Lions come be again heralded as the laughing stock in Football’s greatest stage? Today we here at Soccersouls pick our best possible Squad for the flight to Sambaland.

Goalkeepers and Defense

So which three shot stoppers should board the flight? Definitely Manchester City’s Joe Hart is the number one choice with 39 games on his belt, having kept an enviable 20 clean sheets. Ben Foster should, too get his boarding pass done by the tome he reaches the airport, while it will be a straight shootout between Celtic’s Fraser Forster and Norwich number one John Ruddy. I would prefer the more experienced Ruddy to the 25 year old Celtic keeper given the need to take the place under the sticks if Hart gets injured.

Ashley Cole has no place in my squad as I opt for Everton’s Leighton Baines and Saints’ 18 year old Luke Shaw. For the right back slot I only pick Liverpool’s Glen Johnson, who can also play on the left if required, as he does for Liverpool. Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill have already packed their luggage for me while Manchester United duo Phil Jones and Chris Smalling can start packing too. Joelon Lescott and Kyle Walker sadly have to be satisfied watching from their TV sets at home. The reason for just one right back is Phil Jones, albeit his versatility can play in that slot.

Midfielders

The reason I chose seven defenders was to bolster the midfield, only way for the team to even get out of the group stages after having paired with Italy, Uruguay and a potential banana sink in Costa Rica. Steven Gerrard leads the team out with the captain’s armband finely tucked on his left arm. Michael Carrick will also be an integral part of the side while Jack Wilshere should be fit to board the flight. To add extra solidity I opt for Everton’s vibrant and youthful exuberance of Ross Barkley. Jordan Henderson too makes the flight as does my hopes on City’s hardworking James Milner. Frank Lampard faces an anxious wait but gets the benefit of experience while sadly Jonjo Shelvey misses the bus to the airport. For the wings Raheem Sterling and Oxlade Chamberlain make the flight too as Wolcott’s injury rules him out of the showcase event. The final midfield spot goes to Southampton’s man of the season, Adam Lallana. As Chris Waddle of BBC said of the left footed youngster, “I would try to find a place in the team for him. He gets space, he makes space, he can see a pass, he can go inside and outside of players and he can score a goal himself. He has energy, he can see a pass and he is ideal for international football.”

Strikeforce

Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge certainly have to get the immigration stamps on their passport done, as the team’s hopes rests on them having a good or an off day up front. There will be a direct tussle for the last boarding pass between Lambert and Jay Rodriguez for me, as the latter choice might be a brave one given his lack of experience in the International stage, so Lambert just about makes the flight. Andy Carroll and Jermain Defoe however stay back at home.