This week, Roy Hodgson selected his England squad for this year’s World Cup in Brazil but has he made the right choices? Dave Cocozza investigates.

At 2pm on Monday 12^th May 2014, Roy Hodgson announced his 23-man England squad for this year’s World Cup, which kicks off with England playing a strong Italian side on Saturday 14^th June 2014.

However, before that, England will play a friendly at Wembley against Peru on 30 May and Hodgson then has to confirm his final 23-man squad selection on 2 June. After that, the national side will play friendlies against Ecuador on 4 June and Honduras on 7 June, both in Miami, before the World Cup officially kicks off in June in Brazil.

The line-up includes a number of young players, with the average age of the team just 26.6 years old (the same average as that of the 1966 World Cup winning team), including 20-year-olds Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley, 19-year-old Raheem Sterling and 18-year-old Luke Shaw.

A number of older, experienced players have made the selection, including Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard – with Carrick and Defoe being picked for the standby list.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is an interesting choice, considering he has been out of action since 20^th April following a groin injury, but has insisted he will be fit by the start of the tournament. Out of all 30 players on the list (23 plus reserves), 6 are signed to Manchester United and overall there is a good selection of young talent present, combined with a number of more experienced players to balance it out.

Raheem Stirling’s pace is likely to send a shiver down the spine of the ageing Italian team, and picking the star that is Danny Welbeck for the squad is certainly a no-brainer, considering his track record for the international side (regardless of his performances for Manchester United this season).

There has been some upset, however, with the exclusion of Ashley Cole, and Michael Carrick being placed on the standby list. Since the line-up has been announced, Cole has announced his retirement from International football on twitter, which some have said will come back to haunt Hodgson.

“I got the call from Roy and agree England team should be about the young players. I think it best I retire from England team now.” — Ashley Cole, 12th May 2014

Overall, a good, young and dynamic team mixed with experienced players. Group D means we face Italy, Costa Rica and Uruguay – potential upsets are there, but our boys have the right qualities to succeed. Could we see England at least progressing past the group stages with this team? Absolutely. Could we see them making it to the Semi-finals? Well, that remains to be seen. Let’s hope Hodgson’s men can live up to the expectations!

 

England International Friendlies:

England v Peru, 30TH MAY – 8:00pm

Ecuador v England, 4TH JUNE – 8:00pm

England v Honduras, 7TH JUNE 9:45pm

 

Full England Team Selection:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Celtic), Ben Foster (West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart (Manchester City).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Southampton), Chris Smalling (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Ross Barkley (Everton), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Attackers: Rickie Lambert (Southampton), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United).

Standby: John Ruddy (Norwich City), Jon Flanagan (Liverpool), John Stones (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Andy Carroll (West Ham United), Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC).