The finals may be quite a while away yet but with England virtually guaranteed a spot already after an impressive start to their qualifying campaign, my attention has wondered to the 3 Lions’ possible starting line-up, come the beginning of the 2016 European Championships in France.
Although I do appreciate that a lot can change between now and then, I have selected my preferred 11 based on current form and who I think may be rising to prominence come the summer of 2016. Also you may notice that it is a very young team – highlighting the change of the guard in English football currently and the fact that an exciting crop of youngsters seem to be rising almost simultaneously.
Joe Hart (Goalkeeper)
The England number one has been the undisputed first choice for Roy Hodgson through-out the duration of his tenure so far and is quite comfortably our best bet between the sticks. He will still be around or near his peak come next summer, so I would expect him to be going into the finals as strong as ever.
Hart has been criticised in the past for making the occasional error but has generally been very consistent for England. Also his Manchester City form had been solid so far this season, fending off the competition of Willy Caballero.
Luke Shaw (Left-Back)
The most expensive left back of all time has struggled for fitness in his first term at Old Trafford so far but when fit, has shown some of the promise which tempted Manchester United to spend a whopping sum on the teenager. An England debutant at the age of 18, Shaw enjoyed a very good debut against Denmark last year and genuinely has the potential to be one of the best defenders in the world.
He possesses great speed and strength as well as being a hard tackler. The Southampton youth product seems to be solid both defensively and offensively, typifying the modern day full-back.
John Stone (Centre-Back)
Arguably the most surprising choice on my team sheet, Stones is a player I admire a lot. Not only he is superb at bringing the ball out of the back and starting attacks but is also a very good defender. The Barnsley lad is tougher than his skinny frame suggests and has competed well with the physicality of the Premier League.
At Everton, he has finally been handed a consistent run of game in recent times and is beginning to show the promise that saw him play a handful of time for his country last year.
Gary Cahill (Centre-Back)
The past couple of years have seen Cahill form a formidable partnership with John Terry at Chelsea and he seems to be learning well from the master. Since joining the Blues from Bolton Wanderers a few years ago, he has developed into a world class centre-back. In recent times he has faced stern competition from Kurt Zouma for his place in Jose Mourinho’s side, but is still just about the preferred option over the Frenchman.
Nationally, he has been a permanent fixture in Roy Hodgson’s side for quite a while now, due to many rock solid defensive showings in the white shirt. His heading ability is his main attribute but Cahill’s bravery is something that must be commended also.
Nathaniel Clyne (Right-Back)
The Southampton defender has been enjoying some wonderful form on the South-Coast over the past couple of seasons and has been beginning to earn international recognition this season, following an unfortunate injury to Glen Johnson. What’s more a solid debut vs Slovenia, followed up with another impressive display vs Scotland in England’s last couple of fixtures, have perhaps made him first choice.
In fact people will argue that he has over taken Pablo Zabaleta, to become the Premier League’s best right-back. Like Shaw, he is good both defensively and offensively. Rock solid in the tackle but a real pocket rocket when getting forward. Clyne’s development has been impressive and he has all the attributes to become a world class talent.
Jack Wilshere (Central Midfielder)
The Arsenal man had been showing impressive form for his country, before yet another unfortunate injury halted his progress. However he will hopefully be back for England’s next fixture this month, against Lithuania.
Due to the retirements of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard after the 3 Lions’ disappointing World Cup campaign, Wilshere will face increasing pressure to become England’s main man in midfield. If he is to do so though, he must avoid picking up such needless injuries so regularly.
Jordan Henderson (Central Midfielder)
Henderson has come on leaps and bounds under Brendan Rodgers’ stewardship over the past couple of seasons, tying down a place in the England line up along the way. His athleticism had always been noted as his main attribute but he is beginning to add improved passing and tackling to his game.
He has even been handed the captains armband at Anfield on the odd occasion so far this season, in the absences of Steven Gerrard. This could perhaps be a sign of things to come, particularly with the before mentioned Gerrard leaving at the end of the season. The former Sunderland midfielder certainly possesses the leadership qualities to handle such a responsibility and who knows, he may well be handed the England armband one day.
Raheem Sterling (Right Wing)
Sterling, like Henderson, has reaped the rewards of Brendan Rodgers’ coaching at Liverpool and has developed into one of world football’s brightest talents. This was highlighted by his winning of the prestigious European Golden Boy award last year, becoming the first Englishman to win the prize since Michael Owen.
His progress has attracted the seeming interest of many of Europe’s top clubs and you can see why. Sterling possesses fantastic spacial awareness and ball control. Also he isn’t just a pacey a winger with no end product, he is also very good on the ball and has a top football brain. Already one of England’s star men, the teenager has the talent to become a talisman for his nation and one of the world’s very best players.
Adam Lallana (Left Wing)
Having struggled to find his feet since a summer move from Southampton, Lallana has been beginning to show the form which tempted Liverpool to pay such a hefty fee for his services. Undoubtedly England’s most technical player, his rise from the lower league’s to the top flight of the countries football league pyramid, has been seamless. Impressive form for his former employers earned him international recognition in the back of end of last term and has adjusted reasonably well.
The international game should suit a player of his style and vision, which is why I expect to see him lining up in France at the finals. By the tournament’s opening, he should be nearing his peak, more or less, and it could be his prime time to shine on a major world stage.
Harry Kane (Central Attacking Midfielder)
The Tottenham forward’s sensational form his season has been well noted amongst all watchers of the Premier League but Kane is yet to be capped for England. One would suspect that this month’s qualifiers may give Roy Hodgson the chance to hand him his first cap against Lithuania and once done, expect him to gradually become a key man on this stage.
Kane’s goal scoring stats have been sensational so far this campaign but he certainly isn’t just a goal scorer though. He’s a real team player and somebody that can play through balls, press, dribble and generally put in a very good shift for the team. In a nut shell, he is everywhere. Often this season, he has played just behind the striker and flourished, so playing there for England would surely be no problem for Tottenham Hotspur’s new hero.
Wayne Rooney (Centre Forward)
Finally, England’s captain and talisman. The man who may well be his countries record goal scorer by France 2016, will be pivotal to his side’s hopes of achieving anything notable. Furthermore this could well be his last major tournament at somewhere near the peak of his powers and having struggled to perform on such a stage since he burst on to the scene at Euro 2004, he will be pumped up to really make his mark at this one.
What’s more I have placed the Manchester United star up front, where I feel he is best. Rooney isn’t a midfielder, he is a goal scorer and as our most potent finisher, should play in a position where he can do so. The new England are looking to create a lot more chances and I would trust Rooney over Sturridge, to make the opportunities really count.
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