We’re in the final stretch of the Premier League season and with Euro 2016 just around the corner, Roy Hodgson probably has an idea of which players to pick for the England national team. The tournament in France could be a make-or-break deal for Hodgson after a disappointing performance at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
England failed to get out of the group stages and managed to get only a single point after a draw with Costa Rica in the final game – one that was inconsequential to the Three Lions as they had already lost to Italy and Uruguay.
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They will be looking to right the wrongs in this edition of Euro, especially with a younger team after the international retirement of players from the so-called ‘Golden Generation’. The squad looks in good shape after having qualified with a perfect 100% record in the qualifiers – the only team to do so – and will fancy their chances of reaching the knockout stages after being drawn with Russia, Slovakia and neighbours Wales.
So who does Hodgson pick? He has already stated that Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will be captaining the team after he scored 7 goals in the qualifying campaign. But Rooney’s knee injury sustained last month has thrown a spanner in the works with regard to his preparation for the tournament.
The 30-year-old has been seen wearing a brace on his leg and United boss Louis van Gaal had also confirmed that he would most likely return only in April, ruling him out of England’s matches in the international break.
EA SPORTS Player Performance Index decided to pick a team based only on Premier League statistics this season and a number of England regulars are missing from the list, replaced by some surprising names. Some of them do come as a bit of a shock.
Goalkeeper
While Joe Hart has been England’s number one for quite a while now, there is no denying Jack Butland a spot in the squad. The Stoke City goalkeeper has been the best English keeper in the Premier League, competing with Arsenal’s Petr Cech for the Goalkeeper of the Season award.
The 22-year-old has played all 29 matches so far and has 10 clean sheets. He has also made 97 saves in the process, conceding a goal once every 76 minutes only. He has been crucial to 8th-placed Potters’ chances in the League and could help them finish in their highest position ever by season end.
Defence
Bournemouth sees two defenders in the back four. Charlie Daniels and Simon Francis make the squad. Francis himself has won an incredible 72 tackles while also making 169 clearances and 67 interceptions. Daniels has also done well at the other end of the pitch, scoring 3 goals this season.
But no defender has scored more crucial goals than Crystal Palace’s Scott Dann. His five goals have either helped the Eagles win a point or, in some cases, all three. The fourth defender to make the list is West Bromwich Albion’s Craig Dawson who has made 71 interceptions.
Big names who failed to make the list include Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill, John Stones and Nathaniel Clyne.
Midfield
Hodgson claimed that Jack Wilshere would get into the squad if he was fully fit since “he merits a place on past performances”. But he has not played a game all season.
Leicester City’s Daniel Drinkwater has impressed for the high-flying Foxes this season, having a hand in six goals. West Ham’s Mark Noble has also had a hand in seven goals. Both these players have been “knocking on the door” according to Hodgson and stats show they have done enough to warrant a call-up.
Everton’s Ross Barkley (8 goals and 7 assists) and Tottenham Hotspur’s young star Dele Alli (7 goals and 6 assists) also make the cut. With these four players in midfield in a 4-4-2 diamond formation, the likes of Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and James Milner miss out.
Attack
There are no surprises in attack with Leicester City striker and Premier League top goalscorer Jamie Vardy and Tottenham’s Harry Kane making the cut. Vardy has 19 goals this season, leading the Foxes from the front while Kane has caught up after a woeful start to net 17 goals.
If Rooney is unfit for Euro 2016, England’s hopes rest on the shoulders of these two strikers, especially with Danny Welbeck only just returning from injury and Daniel Sturridge still not 100% fit.
| Player | Team | Age | Position | PPI Season Index | PPI Season Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Butland | Stoke City | 22 | Goalkeeper | 318 | 83 |
| Charlie Daniels | Bournemouth | 29 | Defender | 406 | 30 |
| Scott Dann | Crystal Palace | 29 | Defender | 400 | 33 |
| Simon Francis | Bournemouth | 31 | Defender | 348 | 55 |
| Craig Dawson | West Bromwich Albion | 25 | Defender | 374 | 44 |
| Ross Barkley | Everton | 22 | Midfielder | 568 | 8 |
| Dele Alli | Tottenham Hotspur | 19 | Midfielder | 507 | 11 |
| Daniel Drinkwater | Leicester City | 26 | Midfielder | 435 | 20 |
| Mark Noble | West Ham United | 28 | Midfielder | 412 | 25 |
| Harry Kane | Tottenham Hotspur | 22 | Forward | 775 | 1 |
| Jamie Vardy | Leicester City | 29 | Forward | 723 | 3 |
