The England squad for the 2014 World Cup has finally been announced by Roy Hodgson, and it's fair to say there haven't been any huge surprises. Michael Carrick was probably the biggest shock. We'll start in goal, with one of the easiest selections. Joe Hart will be England's goalkeeper at the World Cup. After a rocky start to the season, Hart has come back fighting and put in some fantastic performances, finishing the season strongly, with two clean sheets and a Premier League winners medal. Hopefully he can take this form into the World Cup. As for England's defence, the biggest disappointment for me, was Terry and Cole being left out. When you look at strong teams in the past, for club and country, they've all been very strong in defence, and built from the back.
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| Joe Hart will be England's number 1 this summer. |
John Terry retired in late 2012 from England, due to personal issues, but when you look at how great his partnership has been with Cahill this season, it's a shame no one will get to see that partnership in Brazil. I would have taken Cole as well, he hardly played for Chelsea this season which eventually cost him his place, but his experience is invaluable, and only a few weeks ago he put in a sensational performance at Anfield, showing football fans that he's still more than capable. The best English right back this season has been Glen Johnson, so my back four would have been Johnson, Cahill, Terry and Cole. An experienced back four, most of whom are used to playing with each other at club level.
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| The England partnership most fans wanted. |
Unfortunately, England will have to make do with a different back four. Johnson and Cahill will start, and Leighton Baines has had a brilliant season at left back for Everton. Having played a number of games for England already, his experience will secure his position over Luke Shaw. So who will pair up with Gary Cahill? Based on European experience at the highest level, defending against some of the best teams in the world including Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, I would go with Phil Jones. Someone who kept Frank Ribery in his back pocket this season. Not to mention, his brilliant performance in man marking Cristiano Ronaldo last year. If Phil Jagielka had an extra yard of pace in him then he would have been my pick. Chris Smalling can also play at centre back, but I think most would agree Jones is the better player at the moment.
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| Phil Jones with another defensive masterclass. |
The midfield players that Roy Hodgson has chosen brings a good balance to the squad. Not only is there the experience of Gerrard, Lampard and Milner, but there have also been a good number of younger players chosen. Gerrard is captain of England, and everybody knows he will start, in fact I think he is the only player that is really capable of protecting the back four. That is why I was surprised Carrick wasn't included. Who will play in the defensive midfield role if Gerrard gets injured? Hopefully that doesn't happen, as I mentioned in my second paragraph, I am all for strong partnerships. This is why I would pair Henderson with Gerrard. He has no doubt been one of the best box to box midfielders in the Premier League and Liverpool suffered without him this season. I did not rate him at all last year, but he's come on leaps and bounds and deserves to play. It's so important to have hard working players off the ball.
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| Gerrard and Henderson had a fantastic midfield relationship for Liverpool this season. |
On the wings, I've gone for someone who is really underrated and an up and coming talent. Raheem Sterling has been one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League this season and he has produced some unbelievable performances for a 19 year old. He's also built a partnership with Glen Johnson at right back. With Walcott injured, the only other serious contender for the right sided spot is James Milner. I'd argue he'd be a more suitable player if England needed to defend a lead, but if England want an exciting attacking team, Sterling has to be picked. On the left I'm going with Danny Welbeck. He may not be a world class striker, but he's regularly shifted out to the wing and his contribution to the team is often overlooked. He is known as a big game player, and possesses a strong drive and determination, with his tracking back and fight for the team. Off the ball, Welbeck and Henderson are England's best players, this is why they have to start.
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| Welbeck scored a crucial goal for England at Euro 2012. |
The strike force, will by far be the easiest selection for Roy Hodgson. Rooney and Sturridge scored 38 Premier League goals between them this season, and that speaks volumes. Hopefully they can build up a partnership and fire England to glory at the World Cup. Sturridge will play as a number 9, with Rooney in his favourite number 10 role. Rooney can play as a midfielder as well, which means this starting eleven can work perfectly in an attacking or defensive formation. The front four, all have goals in them, but Welbeck, Rooney and Sterling can tuck in to defend as a midfield five if they need to.
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| Can Rooney and Sturridge build a partnership this summer? |
Based on individual talent, they might not be anywhere near the 'Golden Generation' of 2006. However, that team didn't deliver and arguably this England side could work better as a team. They have a tough group and most fans will be very impressed if they get through. If they manage to do it, England will no doubt gain confidence and kick on from there. The toughest team they can face in the last 16 is the Ivory Coast, so a few positive results and England could be in the Quarter Finals. Considering no European team has ever won the World Cup in South American territory, I'm not betting on England's chances, but I'm hoping to see some positive results, with exciting attacking football.
My England XI:
Joe Hart
Glen Johnson
Phil Jones
Gary Cahill
Leighton Baines
Raheem Sterling
Steven Gerrard
Jordan Henderson
Danny Welbeck
Wayne Rooney
Daniel Sturridge
