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The World Cup is fast approaching and English players are attempting to impress Roy Hodgson every week as his squad starts to take shape. The most problematic position for England is on the wing. Many considered Theo Walcott would be a starter in the summer, but he has since been ruled out, which has left a spot up for grabs. There isn’t a player on either flank who has nailed down a place in Hodgson’s squad yet, certainly not a spot in the starting eleven.
Andros Townsend made an impression in the final two qualifiers, but his lack of first team football since then will have made him vulnerable of missing out in the summer. Ashley Young, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Aaron Lennon and James Milner are the main contenders alongside Townsend. While Wilfried Zaha, Tom Ince and Raheem Sterling could gatecrash the squad with consistent performances in the Premier League from now until the end of the season with all three likely to get regular football in the top flight.
Hodgson is likely to opt for a combination of a 4-4-1-1/4-2-3-1 formation depending on the opposition so he’ll want to have options on the wing depending on the opposition. James Milner will be perfect when he needs to play a more defensive game as he likes to work hard getting up and down the pitch, his versatility means he is likely to be on the plane. Either Raheem Sterling or Aaron Lennon will go in place of Walcott as these two are the most like the Arsenal winger. At the moment, the former is in better form, but Lennon has plenty of time to secure a place in Brazil. The Tottenham man has more experience than Lennon both at club and International level.
The man many consider as being key to England this summer is Adam Lallana after he has impressed frequently at St Marys. He’s a more attacking option who has excellent ability when dribbling with the ball as shown in some of his goals this season. Lallana is likely to be in the forefront of Hodgson’s mind when it comes to the 4-2-3-1 formation. His six goals and five assists have been the catalyst for Southampton’s impressive season. His form hasn’t been missed by some of the big clubs with Manchester United very keen on the winger. If he goes to Brazil as expected, his performances could lead to a move to a Champions League in the summer.
Ashley Young headed into the Euro 2012 as one of the key men in the England team, he has since been in and out of the side, but he’ll be hoping he can secure a place back in the team. He has been very inconsistent for Manchester United in the past few months as he has struggled to stay in the side. In the match against Cardiff, he scored a exceptional goal from distance which could prove to be the turning point of his season. There is still room in the Manchester United side for Young, despite the recent signing for Juan Mata.
Andros Townsend is in a similar situation at Tottenham as he has struggled to become a key player in the side, but he’s likely to get chances under Sherwood in the second half of the season. If he can replicate his performances from earlier in the season, he’ll be guaranteed a place in Rio. The main fault in Townsend’s game is that he can be quite selfish shooting from distance, he needs to work on that. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain needs to avoid injury from now on and get regular first team football in the Arsenal side, this World Cup may come too soon.
Wilfried Zaha is expected to join Cardiff on loan which will be a huge boost as he seeks to gain a place in Brazil. He hasn’t had many opportunities at Old Trafford so it’s a boost for England that Zaha will get the opportunity to prove himself in the top flight. Hopefully his development hasn’t been stunted from sitting on the bench for Manchester United.
Tom Ince is also likely to make a loan move to a Premier League club before the deadline. He has a huge amount of talent both scoring and creating goals, which makes him a talent for the future. Either of these players could get called up for the World Cup if they perform well and consistently in the second half of the season. Another option would be Jay Rodriguez who plays on the flanks of a 4-2-3-1 for Southampton. He would offer a genuine goal threat from the wing and his versatility could make him a very decent choice for Hodgson.
I would take Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez to start in a 4-2-3-1, while Ashley Young, Raheem Sterling and James Milner would provide the more conventional wing options. It depends on the make up of the squad how many wing options Hodgson will choose to take to Brazil. I would expect him to take Andros Townsend, but I don’t think the Spurs player is any better than Young or Sterling.
