It’s fair to say that this hasn’t been the most exhilarating of performances from an England team at a European Championship, but they are on course to qualify for the last 16 so they should feel fairly positive about the state of affairs right now.
Having drawn against Russia in their opener of UEFA Euro 2016, they followed that up with a spirited 2-1 win over British rivals Wales as they grabbed a late, late winner so their destiny is now well and truly in their own hands to finish top of their group.
However, despite the good position they currently find themselves in, there has been plenty of chat surrounding who should start for the Three Lions – as well as how they ought to play football.
Speculation and divisive opinions continue to populate the ongoing discussion, so let’s play the part of manager Roy Hodgson (who has bravely rung a few changes for the Slovakia match) and select the ideal starting line-up for the remainder of the competition, looking beyond their upcoming match in Saint-Etienne.
Remember to have your say in the comments section!
Goalkeeper
Fraser Forster: With Joe Hart’s error against Wales for Gareth Bale’s free kick dominating much of the talk surrounding England’s goalkeeping situation as well as his part in conceding against the Russians, it’s possible that Hodgson may swing the axe if another blunder takes place against Slovakia.
Let’s not forget that Forster is a record-breaking goalkeeper at Southampton and quite a smashing shot-stopper who deserves a chance to shine on the big stage. Some might think it harsh to drop Hart for a few errors, but it could have cost them dearly, and Forster would be more than a match for the long-range efforts of anyone to come.
Defenders
Danny Rose: Some people like to think Rose is the best left back in Europe right now. Whether or not that’s accurate, it's clear he is Hodgson’s preferred option. Nevertheless, he is set to rest him for the Slovakia match, and Bertrand is coming in to take his place.
Possessing searing pace, unrelenting energy and an ability to rev past opponents in a flash, Rose would be the perfect weapon for a truly counter-attacking England side. Bertrand will be vital against the Slovaks, but Rose is definitely their most accomplished left back.
John Stones: Despite a rather rocky Premier League campaign, it was always likely that the Everton defender would earn a place in the final England 23-man squad – and so it has proven. Taking Chris Smalling’s place in this particular imagining, if you’re having a minor panic attack you can calm down a moment because Stones is arguably the better carrier of a ball out of defence (something they need), and before his struggles mid-season, was widely praised as one of the best emerging centre-backs in the country. Hodgson needs to have faith in him because he is a truly versatile and positive player, and he will grow as the tournament progresses if given the opportunities.
Gary Cahill: Included here not because he’s the vice-captain but due to his impressive performances in the competition to date, Cahill should remain part of the furniture at the back. What's more, he carries an offensive threat as well. Excellent in the air, he might only have scored three goals for his country, but he always provides a good target in the box – in fact, he should have scored in this tournament already. Need proof of his strengths? Drink in this tweet:
Kyle Walker: Earning rave reviews from far and wide, Jermaine Jenas has even stated on Eurosport UK that Walker is ‘emerging as England's standout player in France.’ A genuine general for the team, he’s not only a technical star in possession but he carries the heart of it on his sleeve and plays with unbridled passion.
Nevertheless, he is being rested for the Slovakia match as Nathaniel Clyne takes his spot. If England can get Clyne on the ball down the right flank with enough regularity, he will cause Slovakia plenty of problems with his speed, muscle and intelligence, but the sooner Walker returns to the fold, the better.
Midfielders
Dele Alli: If England want to win as many games as possible, they will need Alli to be at the peak of his nascent powers, which is why it’s strange to see him benched for their trip to Saint-Etienne. A creative performer who likes to invoke the magic of trickery whenever he can, the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has it in his locker to turn contests on their head with the flick of his boot or a shimmy of his step – or both.
Much like many of his team-mates he also has the capacity to push himself with outrageous work-rate. He might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he’s an exciting component and could prove to be the game-changer they want when the going gets tough, in spite of his youth.
Jordan Henderson: Yes, Wayne Rooney should be dropped again and again...and again. It’s idealistic to think that will happen more than just this once, but England fans can dream. Although certain sections of the media have dubbed Roo’s performances in France to date as being a ‘midfield masterclass’, it’s plain to see that he hasn’t done anything that another midfielder in the squad could have.
Henderson might have endured an injury-ravaged campaign with Liverpool, but his stability and intuitive passing in midfield is something they could do with. What’s more, he would have the discipline to sit back and let his more offensively-inclined team-mates do their work while shielding the rearguard against the better offences to come.
Eric Dier: A defensive-minded player at heart, Dier would lend a nice level of assurance (as he has done on several occasions already) to the team. In essence, he adds balance and nerve to proceedings because he has the austerity to know how to utilise the ball effectively and perceptively.
More excitingly, however, he knows how to smash home unstoppable dead balls and it's always nice to have that power in reserve. It’s no surprise he will feature against the Repre and that needs to remain the case the closer they get to the final.
Strikers
Jamie Vardy
When one has a record-breaking Premier League goalscorer on the bench (and an EPL title winner), it’s generally a good idea to bring him on. Better yet – start him. It was no surprise to see Vardy net within minutes of being introduced against Russia because he had been doing it for fund all throughout the 2015/16 season for Leicester City.
Sure, Harry Kane scored more league goals than him but the Spurs marksman looks a little burned out so Vardy could do with a run of games in his place. Vardy possesses the zest and vivacity that England need for the remainder of the competition and his talents could aid a brilliant counter-attacking system. Hodgson has seen sense to start him for the match on June 20 – will he do it again?
Daniel Sturridge
Sturridge is undoubtedly one of England’s best forwards and should get the opportunity to line out more often then he does. His devastating introduction against Chris Coleman’s Wales was a reminder to everyone of just how smashing an impact player the Liverpool goalscorer can be, and it has certainly acted as a prompt for Hodgson, too as the dancing Reds striker is expected to start against Slovakia. He is quick and knows how to exploit the tightest of spaces but it’s surely his next-level reading of the game that gives him his edge, and that might just give England their cutting sharpness as well.
Marcus Rashford
He could work equally as well in the role of an impact substitute, but it would be exhilarating to see Hodgson go all out and throw Rashford into the mix. As he’s still an unknown quantity for many defences, he could wrong-foot them dramatically in the latter stages and give his side a radical boost at the right moment.
The Manchester United starlet loves to take on defenders by running at them, and it’s exactly that unreserved play that has made him such a whirlwind success story for club and country. Will he go one better and immortalise himself as a legend who helped England win the Euros?
