Welbeck is on the plane, but Theo and Lampard are only halfway up the steps
As fans, the hard work is over. We know we'll be seeing England in Brazil next summer, but for some players it's a different story.Who already has a seat on the plane in Roy Hodgson's side, who is walking up the steps and who is likely to miss out?
Here, Sportsmail looks at the sure bets, the maybes, and the maybe nots for next summer.
Hodgson reflecting on England's journey to the World Cup
His choice: Hodgson will spend the next seven or so months deciding his squad for Brazil
Who's sat on the plane?
Joe Hart (Goalkeeper)
The Man City keeper has had a troubled start to the season but is nailed on as Roy Hodgson’s No 1.
No doubt: Despite recent blips, Hart is still England's No 1
Glen Johnson (Full Back)
Liverpool full-back is good going forward but not brilliant defensively. Probably first choice at right-back.
Kyle Walker (Full Back)
Spurs man has impressed in qualifiers and, like Johnson, is quick and talented on the ball but less assured in defence.
Leighton Baines (Full Back)
Has been superb for club and country recently and may just be the man in possession of the left-back shirt.
Healthy competition: Cole (right) will have a tough battle on his hands with Baines for the left-back spot
Ashley Cole (Full Back)
Has
been one of the best left-backs in the world and is a better defender
than Baines but nowhere near the same threat going forward.
Phil Jagielka (Centre Back)
Not the quickest or most talented but rarely gets taken to the cleaners and never lets country down.
Gary Cahill (Centre Back)
Good on the ball and has improved immeasurably defensively. Has struck up a promising partnership with Jagielka.
Partnership? Jagielka and Cahill are sure to be on the plane to Brazil after several solid performances
Steven Gerrard (Midfield)
Captain marvel who still produces the odd lung-busting run (see Tuesday night) but more at home now in holding role.
Jack Wilshere (Midfield)
The ‘future of English football’ who has the ability, if his form and fitness holds, of being a star in Brazil.
James Milner (Wide)
Hodgson’s Mr Reliable who can do a no-frills, no-fuss job in a number of midfield positions.
Contention: Milner isn't everyone's cup of tea, but he should be travelling next summer
Wayne Rooney (Striker)
Happy as the main striker or in the No 10 role. Should be in his prime now and has a point to prove on biggest stage of all.
Daniel Sturridge (Striker)
The country’s in-form striker who will start as the main man if club form holds. Can still improve his right foot and heading.
Danny Welbeck (Striker)
Excellent
in wide role for his country and has better strike rate for England
than Man United but still never looks a natural finisher.
Firepower: Sturridge (left) and Welbeck are a big part of England's attacking options
Who's halfway up the steps?
Ben Foster (Goalkeeper)
Hodgson knows him well from west Brom days and will travel if his fitness holds.
Fraser Forster (Goalkeeper)
Has impressed in Europe with Celtic but a complete unknown on the international stage.
Behind you: Forster (right) and Foster (left) have a good chance of being England's back up goalkeepers
Chris Smalling (Centre Back)
Another Hodgson favourite (from Fulham days) but looks out of his depth at fullback. May travel as reserve centre-half.
Phil Jones (Centre Back)
Utility
man who has not yet kicked on for club and country. Could travel as
cover for full-back, centre-half and holding midfield.
Frank Lampard (Midfield)
His last shot at a World Cup and Hodgson will want to take him but could yet get squeezed out if talented tyros overtake him.
Experienced: Even with over 100 caps, Lampard is still extremely important to England
Michael Carrick (Midfield)
The
great enigma. Either the best passer in the team or a pedestrian who is
out of his depth against top-class opposition – take your pick.
Andros Townsend (Wide)
Brilliant start to his England career and will surely make it to Brazil…but hang on, will he get a game for Spurs every week?
New man in town: Townsend's first two performances in an England shirt have been more than promising
Theo Walcott (Wide)
Dropped behind Townsend in the pecking order but also has the ability to operate as a central striker.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Wide)
A breath of fresh air for England but not a regular for Arsenal and has fitness issues.
Jermain Defoe (Striker)
Also struggles to start League games for Spurs. No doubt he’s a deadly finisher but may get left at home.
Strike force: Defoe may struggle for Premier League minutes with Spurs, which will harm World Cup chances
Who's stuck in the departure lounge?
John Ruddy (Goalkeeper)A solid enough keeper for Norwich but he would have been way down the pecking order of England custodians in tournaments past.
Michael Dawson (Centre Back)
Plays week in, week out for Spurs but lacks pace and impression is that Hodgson doesn’t fancy him.
Back line:Dawson (left) has been in fine form for Spurs, but may struggle to shove Jagielka and Cahill
Left Spurs to start games for Cardiff and it has paid off. He is doing well and is captain. But still an outside bet.
Tom Cleverley (Midfield)
Looked a Hodgson favourite earlier in the campaign but form has tailed off for club and country and may find himself on sidelines.
Ross Barkley (Midfield)
The emerging force with touches of Rooney genius. Has the ability and confidence to leapfrog the likes of Lampard to book seat on plane.
Maestro: Barkley has been a breath for fresh air for Everton this season
Has tailed off dramatically after superb form for Liverpool last season. Needs injuries to earn the call.
Ashley Young (Wide)
Integral to Hodgson’s plans for Euro 2012 but now on outside looking in. Been poor for United… not helped by diving furore.
Rickie Lambert (Striker)
Hard to shake impression that his moment has already come and gone. Behind Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck and Walcott... and may even be overtaken.
Option: Lambert has scored twice for England, including a debut winner against Scotland
Who's sprinting for the gate?
Nathan Redmond, Kieran Gibbs, Ravel Morrison, Saido Berahino, Wilfried Zaha, Adam Johnson, and Andy Carroll.
Talent: Nathan Redmond has an outside chance of making it to Brazil
Who’s not even packing their bags?
Joleon
Lescott, Scott Parker, Gareth Barry, Micah Richards, Ryan Bertrand,
Jack Butland, Leon Osman, Jack Rodwell, Jonjo Shelvey and Aaron Lennon.
Been and gone: Despite Barry's new lease of life at Everton, he is not in Hodgson's plans
0 comments:
Post a Comment