Goalkeepers- 3
So 3 goalkeepers are needed in the 23 man squad. Despite his wretched form the last season and a bit, i'd still have to book a ticket for Manchester City's Joe Hart. For experience and overall quality, as the saying is form is temporary and class is permanent, Hart is a senior member of the current squad and he has to go as one of the 3 keepers for this reason. The other two would be Fraser Forster and Ben Foster. Forster has proved himself against the best with Celtic and shown he's a top quality shot stopper and has a dominance about him, i'd give him a chance in the upcoming friendlies and see if he's up to it at national level. As for Foster, he's been outstanding at West Brom and deserves his second chance at a England career. After losing his way at Manchester United, he was impressive at Birmingham and never seemed to get his run at number one for England. He's been consistent and deserves a chance before Rio to prove himself worthy of going on the plane.
Defenders- 8
So our back line has been one element of the team which has need desperate improvement, it seems to have worked. At the Euros we looked resilient, solid and a unit, helped by the tutoring of Hodgson. Starting with right back, Glen Johnson has been ever present since the last World Cup, he's a reliable outlet in defence, brilliant going forward and you know he'll give 110%, so he would start for me. As a back up, it's a toss between Kyle Walker and Micah Richards. Richards is probably the better player, but with his injury plagued time, he's not quite fit enough yet, hopefully he'll be back before Rio. Walker has been given chance for England, he's not done too bad, he's not the best defensively but attacking he's as good as anyone in England, with a great eye for a cross and dangerous right foot.
At the heart of defence we've lost Terry and Rio and it shows as recently we've not looked the most convincing in the centre back positions. Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill have been our partnership through qualifying. They've really improved and look two good centre halves, but together there doesn't seem to be clear communication between the two. Two more centre halves are to be taken, these being Michael Dawson and the attempt at recalling John Terry. Terry is a leader and born winner, he's been a star of the England side in recent tournaments, especially at Euro 2012, I think he's been missed since 'retiring' from the England set-up. These kind of players don't come along too often and we could really use Terry in Rio next year. As for Dawson, he's a player of Terry's description, he's excelled since returning to the Spurs side and has been a rock at the back, he's not got his chance at national level and with friendlies coming up, it'd be perfect to try and have Terry and Dawson as a partnership and maybe it could be a perfect combination that we've needed. At left back, this is possibly our greatest in depth position in the national team. Ashley Cole has been possibly the best left back in the world in the last five years, so he will be the starter in Rio. As for back-up that's normally routine with Everton's Leighton Baines in incredible form in the last few seasons. With his excellent delivery from wide and now a highly important part of the Everton team, he could push Cole right the way to get that starting spot.
Midfield- 8
It's maybe surprising that England's central midfield is not the force it once was, in terms of depth, but is still high in quality. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are now part of the 100 club and after years of wondering if they can play together, it seems that the answer to this is 'yes'! With both ageing, they've dropped a lot deeper in roles for their clubs and so can easily differ in who goes forward and who sits back, they are vital to our team for experience, leadership and quality. As we've preferred to opt for 4-3-3 recently, the man in front of them would be Jack Wilshere for me. Often the point of criticism from most and injury plagued since bursting onto the scene, he's not many people's first choice. Wilshere though gives something many other players can't, he can take the ball from deep and carry past it players and force chances out of nothing and is a quality talent despite whatever criticism he takes, you have to take him for that something special. As another central midfielder i'd choose Ross Barkley. He's part of this new crop coming into the side and since being given his chance at Everton this season, he seems very creative and has an eye for a pass, give him chances in the upcoming friendlies and hopefully he'll be off to Rio. Now on the wings is where we are weakest I believe, we've not looked at all dangerous via the wide men until Andros Townsend came into the side against Montenegro and Poland, he'd be my first choice. Since Bale left Spurs, he's been their outstanding player, winning games single-handedly and looking the next big thing for club and country. As an Arsenal supporter I don't like to show preference to my players, but I really believe that Theo Walcott and Alex Chamberlain are next on the plane. Walcott can be a match winner at times but other times the most frustrating player on the field, however just for the chance he has a 'on-day' he has to be in the selection. As for Ox, he's a really promising winger who can change games with one powerful, surging run, he got experience at the Euros and I think once he's back from injury he'll get match fitness and be right back in Hodgson's plans.
Then as a new man into the set-up i'd take Southampton's Adam Lallana. There's Ashley Young and Stewart Downing as well, however what Lallana has over the others is actual quality and can change a game in a minute, he can dribble, shoot and has lead Southampton from League One to the top half of the Premier League. He's been massively underrated through this journey and has never got the credit he's deserved. Like others, in the friendlies he's my main man who i'd give a game to get him experience and if his form continues with Southampton he definitely should be off to Rio.
Strikers- 4
Wayne Rooney, England's best player, one down. With Rooney would have to be half of the SAS, Daniel Sturridge, arguably the best striker so far this season in England. He hasn't performed so far for England but his undying finishing ability and speed must give him the edge to be half-way to Rio already. Then there's two more, as a ever present, Jermain Defoe is in my squad. He's one of the best finishers to ever grace English football, he can come off the bench and grab you a goal, so he undoubtedly has to be taken to Rio. Then, the last spot on the plane is either Danny Welbeck or Rickie Lambert. Welbeck has been good for England through qualifying, however, I don't see a spark or certain something about him when he plays. He won't be playing on the left where he has done so far for England with Townsend, Ox etc. So you want something different, if he's just going to fill a gap on the plane there's no point him going, that's why I favour taking Lambert, his physical presence is undeniable and after being given his chance, he's looked up to it, he brings a threat which no one in the squad does so I'd give my last to spot Rickie.
There you have it, Roy take notes, follow this and we'll win the World Cup!
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