Time for the future: Three England players who should make way for the next generation

Wayne Rooney of England walks off the pitch after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Uruguay and England at Arena de Sao Paulo on June 19, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Once again, four years of expectation was extinguished in a fraction of the time that it took to build, when England were eliminated from the World Cup courtesy of consecutive defeats against Italy and Uruguay.

However, the final blow came quicker than usual when the nation’s hopes came crumbling down after just 180 minutes of football in Brazil. The Three Lions have outdone themselves under Roy Hodgson, with a premature exit after just two games for the first time in the country’s history.

Predictably, in what has become a biennial cycle as reliable as a partnership between Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, the talk of how best to resurrect our side as winners has begun.

Harry Redknapp, not one to hang about or miss the opportunity for a sound byte, has stuck his two pennies worth straight into the suggestion pot, declaring that a few of his former Tottenham Hotspur players were unwilling to take part in international duty.

Meanwhile, captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that he has been left broken by events in South America and will consider his international future over the summer.

Croydon born manager Roy Hodgson was praised for his squad selection as he opted to include a number of exciting young talents such as Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw ahead of more experienced names, but could not prevent the team from producing a spectacular failure.

Hodgson has been given assurances over his job, or a stay of execution, depending on the level of bleakness you can foresee, and will stay in his role for the qualification phase of Euro 2016.

Drawn in an unfavourable group, England may point to two formidable opponents as a key reason behind their exit. But, and you can be excused for forgetting, England still have the small matter of taking on the once underdogs but now group leaders, Costa Rica before their flight home.

With little else to play for other than pride as the side looks to avoid the indignation of failing to secure a single point, an experimental side is expected in Belo Horizonte.

However, with the obituaries already written as the last of the so called Golden Generation look to meekly slip out of the spotlight, Squawka takes a look at three players that should not have Three Lions on their shirt ever again.

Frank Lampard

The 36-year-old will captain England against Costa Rica in Gerrard’s absence and the fixture should represent his swansong on the international stage. Lampard will win his 106th cap, but the time is right for him to walk away after over a decade of service, having made his debut against Belgium back in 1999.

With his club future also uncertain following his decision to leave Chelsea, Lampard is expected to jump before he is pushed, but it cannot be denied he has been a willing servant for his country throughout his career. Despite the fact he was unlikely to receive much game time in Brazil, Lampard was keen to play his part for the squad and support the younger players.

Such a presence may well be missed, but if England are to build their team around a quick breed of forwards, Lampard’s ageing legs have no part to play. Tuesday’s fixture may not be a fitting end to his career, but at least he will have the opportunity to make one last appearance.

Phil Jagielka

Everton’s defender is regarded as reliable and solid, but he has often looked out of his depth for England. Jagielka has performed admirably in the Premier League for a number of years but was handed a place in the squad due to a dearth of options and the regular football that he has enjoyed under Robert Martinez.

At 31 years of age, the centre-back is not going to get any better. In Gary Cahill, three years his junior, England has a central defender in his peak that is capable of marshalling the back line for a number of years. Partnerships are key in defence and Jagielka should not be the man chosen to be fielded alongside the Chelsea man.

Jagielka has been a stop gap at best and no-one can question his commitment, but he was arguably at fault for both of Uruguay’s goals due to poor positioning and is not worthy of another call-up. A surprise inclusion on the standby list, John Stones could well be snapping at his heels for a place in the Toffees side before long.

Question marks remain over the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling but providing them with the experience Jagielka lacked during his younger years will help them to become better players.

Rickie Lambert

Easily the most controversial inclusion in our list is Liverpool’s latest signing. The 32-year-old secured a fairytale ending to his season when he was included in Hodgson’s squad after an excellent season for Southampton, but the story should come to an end.

Much more than a big man, given his set-piece ability and impressive technique, Lambert has proved many of his doubters wrong, but the fact a player of his ilk has made it all the way top highlights how desperate England are for options, considering he has played the majority of his career in the lower leagues.

A cameo substitute appearance may be added to against Costa Rica, but given his age and lack of experience, promoting youth from the Under-21 squad represents a better option for the national side. If England are to build for the future, with the World Cup in Qatar billed as the tournament where Greg Dyke’s plans will come to fruition, Lambert will not be a part of it even if he thrives at Anfield.

If the tournament in Brazil has shown us one thing, it is that England now have formidable options in an attacking sense, with pace, guile and creativity. Considering that the majority of talk at the tournament has concerned whether Wayne Rooney is deserving of a place in the team, Lambert should not even be part of the conversation.

Edited by Staff Editor