Roy Hodgson has the honour of taking England into the European Championships this summer. It should be the start of four great years in charge for the former Liverpool and Inter Milan manager.
It will also be the start of four years for when every tom, dick and harry (not Redknapp!) around the country will think that they know more about football than Hodgson, selecting their own England squads in the process.
With Euro 2012 looming, here would be the 23 players I would take to Poland and Ukraine, not that I think we have a cats-chance of winning the tournament.
Goalkeepers:
Joe Hart, Rob Green, John Ruddy
Hart is one of the first names on the teamsheet and has been tremendous since becoming the the no.1. Green’s had a solid season at West Ham and has been the no.2 keeper over the last 2 years.
Despite Hodgson’s relationship with Ben Foster at West Brom, it would be a nice touch if Norwich City’s Ruddy would get the nod as the third keeper. Foster’ll probably go though.
Defenders:
Ashley Cole, Micah Richards, Phil Jones, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Leighton Baines, Kyle Walker
The big decision that Hodgson faces is whether he can pick both Terry and Ferdinand in the wake of Terry’s race-row with Rio’s brother Anton. It’s a sensitive subject and either way if only one can be picked England will be weaker as a result.
Despite being run ragged at Liverpool, Terry would get the edge solely because he has forged a partnership with Cahill for club and country over the season and it might be dangerous to break that up going into a major tournament.
Midfielders:
Scott Parker, Adam Johnson, Ashley Young, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Michael Carrick, Theo Walcott
Midfield is where it gets complicated. It’s important that England have wingers who can cross the ball so Aaron Lennon sadly misses out with Johnson, Walcott and Young getting in instead of the Spurs wide-man who has struggled at Internationl level.
In the centre with Jack Wilshere out, Lampard and Gerrard will get the chance to end their International careers on a high. Gareth Barry despite being an England regular misses out for me with Carrick after a fine season getting the nod instead.
Strikers:
Wayne Rooney, Danny Sturride, Peter Crouch, Danny Welbeck, Andy Carroll
As for the strikers despite Grant Holt having an outstanding season, I would include Carroll in my squad. He has ended the season well and looks confident in his ability for the first time since he left Newcastle. He looks a threat and would be worth the risk in any squad.
Despite being a big fan of Jermain Defoe, he would miss out in my squad with his place going to Chelsea’s Sturridge. Crouch would get one last chance after a fine season to add to his 22 International goals as a result of Bent being injured although, perhaps I am being too top-heavy having three big-men in my squad.
Then again I am not the one with the responsibility of picking the squad that’s Hodgson’s problem (albeit a nice one) to deal with!
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
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