England squad for Euro 2016 - My Prediction

So another tournament, and yet again another disappointment for England fans. While English fans would feel optimistic about a tournament which exceeded most expectations (remarkably), the fact remains that the team once again flattered to deceive at a major tournament finals. However, instead of dissecting what went wrong at the tournament, I would like to actually try and predict my squad for the next Euro finals in four years (assuming England qualify). Before delving into the squad list, there are some assumptions that I will be making. Firstly, all players currently above the age of 30 would have retired by that time. This means that the likes of Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Scott Parker will not be available for selection. Secondly, the list comprises purely of players, who have already broken into the first team at their respective clubs. This means promising youngsters and reserve players at their respective clubs will not be considered for selection. Finally, I have chosen the much-lauded 4-2-3-1 formation that is currently in use by most top nations, and not the traditional 4-4-2 that England like to employ. So without much ado, lets begin.

Manager – Stuart Pearce

Okay, so he may not be the most popular choice, but the fact remains, England do have a major dearth of talented managers. I don’t expect Harry Redknapp to be in contention this time around with rumors of his move to the middle-east looming, and Roy Hodgson is unlikely to remain beyond the World Cup given his approach towards matches. The only other person who could be in contention is Alan Pardew, but I believe the job would come a bit early for him. Pearce has been groomed in the role for quite some time now, and I feel post-World Cup would be the right time for him to step up and prove his mettle. Again, I am assuming the FA goes for an English manager only.

Goalkeeper – Joe Hart

Is there even any doubt! Joe Hart remains England’s number one goalkeeper by a mile, and I don’t really see that changing anytime soon. The fact that England’s current No. 2 is Robert Green says it all. So I expect him to remain as England’s No 1 choice in 4 years’ time.

Right Back – Kyle Walker

On current form, he is one of the virtual certainties in the squad. he would have been part of this Euro too, had it not been for an injury, but come next Euros, he will already be an established player in the national team and will play an integral part of the squad. He should face competition from the likes of Micah Richards and Phil Jones, but still, it’s hard to see him not becoming England’s best right-back by the time of next Euros. Already, Real Madrid are rumored to be interested in securing his services.

Centre-Halves – Gary Cahill and Phil Jones

So, debate time. While I expect Lescott to still be around at the time of the Euros, he will be 33 and most likely be considered past his sell-by date by fans and pundits alike. Plus, I feel Jones will become an established player at Manchester United by that time (although Chris Smalling may have something to say about that), which will only enhance his chances of cementing a spot for the Euros. While I was tempted to pen in Smalling and Jones together, it would be a disservice to Gary Cahill to discount him after all of his efforts in the past six months.

Left-Back – Leighton Baines

Ashley Cole should be retired by this time, but England already have another brilliant left-back in their ranks in Leighton Baines. The Everton full-back would have been an established full-back in any other team, but his opportunities have been limited thanks to the ever-present Cole. Possessing all the required attributes, Baines will be one of the more senior members of the squad and hence, vital to England’s chances in the tournament.

Central Midfield – Jack Wilshere and Tom Cleverley

It’s still a big gamble, but I would put my faith in the two injury-prone midfielders, simply because they are the best England have right now. Technically gifted, both players could shed the notion that England only produce physically strong, but not technically sound players. Some may argue that they are very like-minded, however, both excel in the deep-lying playmaker role, which is what many teams employ these days, viz. Xavi-Alonso or Schweinsteiger-Khedira. Also, both of them started out their careers as Defensive midfielders which means they can perform that role if required. Again, if they remain injury-free, then England could have a potentially threatening midfield combination in their ranks.

Left Wing – Adam Johnson

It’s a bold prediction, but one I feel could really happen. Johnson has always been considered to be one of England’s best left-wingers, and with Ashley Young flopping badly in his first major tournament, and Stewart Downing unlikely to be considered for selection, the opportunity for Johnson to finally stake his claim exists and he should grab it with both hands. The winger does have one obstacle though, which is getting into the Manchester City starting eleven. Given that England managers tend to go for players who are first-choice at their clubs, it remains to be seen if Johnson can force his way into manager Roberto Mancini’s first eleven plans. If he can convince Mancini of his potential, then it’d be a matter of time before he put himself in England contention.

Right Wing – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The man who has taken English football by storm. He’s already an established member of the English squad, and by the time the Euros come around, he could very well be England’s new messiah, displacing Theo Walcott from the first eleven. Already, his all-action playing style has received plaudits, and that’s only going to improve under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger. While he does face competition for his spot at Arsenal from the likes of Lukas Podolski, I still expect him to become a key member of the Arsenal and England team in the years to come, which should see him playing a starring role at Euro 2016.

Attacking Midfielder – Wayne Rooney (Captain)

While many might say that he should play purely as a striker, I believe this is the role where England could get the best out of him, much like Sir Alex does. His passing ability and striking instincts will enable him to play this role to perfection. Additionally, he usually excels playing behind the main striker, hence, this role will be tailor-made for him. Moreover, the role would also mean Rooney can help out more in defence, as opposed to this tournament, where he was asked to be less defensive-minded in his approach. As mentioned before, he does play in a similar role for Manchester United, and in the next few years I expect him to fully evolve into this role for club and country.

Striker – Daniel Sturridge

Between Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck and him, I would choose Sturridge only because he would fit into the team much better than the other two. Welbeck’s partnership with Wayne Rooney was much hyped before this tournament and was supposed to give England an edge, however, that hype came to nought. While Carroll does possess great aerial ability, the shape of the current team means there will be fewer crosses in the box and his weak touch means he wouldn’t be a wise option in the team. Welbeck’s penchant for missing chances galore will go against his selection. Sturridge has impressed for Chelsea, and has been among the goals despite not being played as an out-and-out striker in the team. His dribbling ability does make him a threat to contend with and if he can improve his attitude, could well turn out to be one of the key men for England during the tournament.

Reserves

Goalkeepers – Jack Butland, Ben Amos

Joe Hart’s importance is underlined even more by looking at the reserve options England would have available to them. Jack Butland was in the squad for Euro 2012, so I expect him to remain there in four years time. The other option is between Amos and John Ruddy, but I just believe Amos has a bit more about him. If he can secure regular first-team football in the coming years, he could become England’s No 2 goalkeeper for the tournament. This, assuming Ben Foster still continues his exile from the England team.

Defenders – Chris Smalling, Ryan Bertrand, Martin Kelly

All three are good defenders in their own right, and I expect all of them to figure prominently for club and country in the years to come. Smalling is already an established member in the Manchester United and England squad, with injury preventing him from playing in the Euros. Kelly was part of Euro 2012, and whatever were the reasons behind Rio’s omission, there can be no denying that Kelly is a brilliant youngster with a great future ahead of him. Finally, Bertrand is a future first-choice left back in the making, and Euro 2016 should be his first taste of a major tournament with England.

Midfielders – Jonjo Shelvey, Jack Rodwell, Theo Walcott and Ashley Young

An enterprising list, but one I feel could very well be a realistic possibility. Shelvey has begun showing his potential for Liverpool towards the fag end of the season gone by, and if Brendan Rodgers gives him more opportunities, he could very well come into England contention soon enough. Rodwell has long been considered a potential talent in the making, and if he can finally take that step up in the coming seasons, his place in the squad should be a certainty. Lack of options mean that both Walcott and Young will still be involved with the national team at the time, although the emergence of a prodigious young talent might just render one of them expendable, although given that Young is still a first-eleven player for Manchester United, he might just be a part of the squad anyway.

Strikers – Danny Welbeck and Connor Wickham

Big time gamble, but it could very well happen. While I don’t see Welbeck as long-term England material on current form, he does have potential and maybe with more experience, could become a squad player for England in future tournaments. As mentioned before, I don’t think Carroll suits the teams’ style of play, and his form for Liverpool has been woeful to say the least. Which is why I feel, the manager might just want to gamble on a prodigious, but an unproven talent in Connor Wickham. The player had a poor season with Sunderland, but having been successful in other age formats for England, I do expect him to step up this season and play a big role for his club. A senior call-up will not be far away and I do believe he will be a part of Euro 2016 with England.

Prediction for the Tournament – Semi Finals

While there will be a revamp in the playing style and personnel, I still don’t believe England will be able to win the tournament. With Germany’s seemingly endless supply line of quality youngsters, Spain’s relatively young and talented group of players as well as perennial contenders Holland, Portugal and France to jostle with, a semi-finals appearance can be expected from England fans of their team. A lot will depend on the draw and the form of the players in the coming years, but we can definitely hope for a good tournament from the Three Lions.

So there we have it- my prediction for the England squad for Euro 2016. Young, vibrant and technically sound, I do believe this team will fare better than its predecessors and will even excite fans and neutrals alike. Who knows, the team might finally be able to dispel the notion of “typical old England”, one which produces strong, physical players and not sound, technically gifted ones.