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The English national football team is arguably the most scrutinized and criticized football team on the planet. They have failed to produce on the big stage since their World Cup triumph in 1966. The country has produced several above average players of whom very few have broken into that ‘world class’ category. While their squad is considerably weaker than the likes of Spain, Brazil and even Belgium for that matter, it does possess potential and here is what I think the England starting eleven should be.
FORMATION: 4-4-2
GOALKEEPER: Fraser Forster (Celtic FC)
This might come as a huge shock to most people as Joe Hart has monopolized the number one position for England, in recent years. However, Hart’s performances for club and country have been far from convincing this season. He is undoubtably the best goalkeeper England have but it seems like complacency has set in due to the lack of competition for his spot as West Brom’s Ben Foster and Norwich City’s John Ruddy have barely been knocking on the door. Celtic’s Foster hasn’t been given a chance by Roy Hodgson yet and this is surprising. He’s a terrific shot stopper and his man of the match performances against Barca and Juventus in the Champions League suggests he’s got what it takes to perform on the big stage.
LEFT BACK: Ashley Cole (Chelsea FC)
Even though Ashley Cole has approached his thirties, he’s still the best left back in the world. The return of Mourinho to Chelsea will only benefit Cole and make him stronger. His rival for the left back spot is Leighton Baines, a promising defender and a top class dead ball specialist. Baines will eventually take over from Cole but not until the World Cup in Brazil, at least.
CENTRE BACKS: Gary Cahill (Chelsea FC), Phill Jagielka (Everton FC)
With John Terry out of the picture, Cahill and Jagielka are England’s most solid partnership. They’re both traditional non nonsense English defenders, who put their bodies in front of anything. Joleon Lescott is deprived of games at City while the promising United duo of Smalling and Jones have not lived up to expectation, suggesting that the Cahill-Jagielka alliance will continue for some time.
RIGHT BACK: Micah Richards (Manchester City FC)
The right back slot is probably the most contested position in the England squad. Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker (who seems to be Hodgson’s first choice) are both stable wing backs for their club and possess immense talent. They love to glid up and down the right touch line and do their fair share of defending as well. So does Micah Richards. The City youth product is built like a tank but good with his feet. He has had a couple of injury-hit seasons but when fit Richards is England’s man down the right.
CENTRAL MIDFIELD: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal FC)
Steven Gerrard is England captain and should be the first name on Roy Hodgson’s team sheet. He’s a box-to-box midfielder that dominates midfield. I’d pair him with Arsenal startlet, Jack Wilshere (ahead of my all time favourite, Frank Lampard). Wilshere movement with and without the ball is flawless and he is without a doubt England’s brightest young talent. At only twenty, Wilshere looks like a leader and fits into the pace of the game with ease, almost Iniesta-esque.
LEFT MIDFIELD: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal FC)
Chamberlain is another one of Arsenal’s young talents and is already a far better player than Theo Walcott will ever be. He possesses high level of maturity and what set’s him apart from the rest of England’s mediocre wingers is his decision making. The likes of Ashley Young and Danny Welbeck will have to settle for a spot on the bench if the Ox can stay fit and perform to even half of his potential.
RIGHT MIDFIELD: James Milner (Manchester City FC)
James Milner might not possess the pace of Walcott or the skill of Lennon but he will guarantee you a hundred and ten percent. His work rate is second to none and he’s final ball isn’t bad too.
TWO STRIKERS: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United FC), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool FC)
Rooney and Sturridge are England’s two most gifted footballers. Both strikers love to drop deep and the thought of them playing together is menacing. In my opinion, Sturridge has to feature in almost all of England’s games and playing him on the right is a waste of his ability. If Hodgson can get him to pass more and make smarter decisions, England will have one of the strongest forward pairs in Europe.
