Roy Hodgson an hour ago announced his England squad for the upcoming friendly international against Denmark. All eyes were fixed with whether or not Southampton’s young attacking full-back Luke Shaw would receive his first call up and whether or not England’s manager would tinker with possible World Cup wildcards or stick with the tried and trusted players who have got him to this stage. Here is the squad in full :
Goalkeepers:
Fraser Forster (Celtic), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City), John Ruddy (Norwich City).
Defenders:
Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Steven Caulker (Cardiff City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur).
Midfielders:
Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Andros Townsend (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).
Forwards:
Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC), Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Jay Rodriguez (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United).
So to summerise there is a first call up for Luke Shaw as one of four Southampton players to make the 30 man squad which is their most ever. Some what surprising to me is the inclusion of Toronto bound Jermain Defore who was today confirmed to be injured by Spurs.
Phil Jagielka was a late withdrawal and Hodgson could not call on Manchester United’s Phil Jones who is injured at the moment. He did not feel the need to call up a replacement. This means that somewhat unusually there will be more Goalkeepers (4) than centre backs (3). Quite why this is needed I do not know, in one friendly you can look at 2 keepers at most I would imagine. He could have left out Joe Hart as he knows that barring another clamatous drop in form he will be the number one in Brazil.
Some of the notable absentee’s include the in form Adam Johnson, Andy Carroll, Ashley Young and Gareth Barry who has been earning much praise for his anchoring of Everton’s midfield this season. It is clear by his selection that Hodgson is going for youth and exuberance over Barry’s experience in the central area.
On these absentee’s Hodgson said the following:
“Andy Carroll has hardly played but we will be keeping an eye on him.
“Gareth has not been with us in the two years but he is playing well at the moment and I wouldn’t be averse to calling him up if I thought he had a place in the team.”
When asked to comment further on Luke Shaw’s first call up he said:
“I think everyone who has watched him play recently will not deny that he deserves a place in a large squad like this,”
“He has played extremely well and is an exciting talent. I think it was the right moment to invite him along.
He is a player in a position where we are well off but he wants to compete with the other two for a place on the plane to Brazil.”
Hodgson was very quick to stress that this is not a World Cup squad and that any player omitted from this squad and even the 23 man squad for the tournament in Brazil will still be in his mind due to possible unforseen injuries or suspensions:
“I’m not prepared to give that guarantee, Anyone who thinks that may find themselves disillusioned. There is still plenty of football to be played. The period now between March 5 and May 11 is a very, very busy period. There are quite a few weeks where people will be playing three times.
“I think I have chosen a strong 30-man squad here, having a 30-man squad is good. I shall just wait and see and on a weekly basis maybe have to reassess.”
What’s your opinion on the squad? Can you see the majority of this team going to Brazil or are there some unknown players going to force their way into contention in the coming months? Let us know in the comments or on twitter @Sports_Hangout .
The Sports Hangout 