Re: Road To World Cup FIFA 2014
Inviato: 11/05/2014, 23:35
articolo della bbc sulle possibili convocazioni dell'inghilterra
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World Cup 2014: Who is on the England plane to Brazil?
Do you pick Ashley Cole or Luke Shaw? Who partners Steven Gerrard in midfield? Is Adam Lallana the surprise package? Will Raheem Sterling continue to shine? Which back-up goalkeepers get the nod?
These are just some of the questions facing England boss Roy Hodgson as he prepares to select a provisional squad for the World Cup in Brazil.
He plans to announce 23 names and seven stand-bys on 13 May before confirming a 23-man touring party with Fifa by 2 June; 10 days prior to the tournament starting and 12 days before England face Italy in their Group D opener in Manaus.
Since Hodgson took over as manager two years ago, 57 different players have been involved on 25 match days. Their final international audition took place in March, England beating Denmark 1-0.
Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad included three goalkeepers, seven defenders, nine midfielders and four strikers. What will he do this time? And who will board the flight to South America?
Goalkeepers
Definitely on the plane: Joe Hart (26, Manchester City, 39 caps)
Almost there: Fraser Forster (25, Celtic, one cap)
Facing an anxious wait: John Ruddy (27, Norwich, one cap)
Making a late charge: Jack Butland (20, Stoke City, one cap), Ben Foster (30, West Brom, six caps)
The left-field possibility? Robert Green (34, QPR, 12 caps)
Fraser Forster
Celtic's Fraser Forster has only played once for England despite being included in 12 match-day squads
Despite losing his place in the Manchester City team for a spell earlier this season, Hart has been England's undisputed number one for almost four years.
His 39 caps have brought 20 clean sheets and he has played in all but three of Hodgson's 25 games in charge. With that in mind, some questioned the wisdom of giving Hart 90 minutes against Denmark and, although he made a fine save from Morten Rasmussen at 0-0, might it not have been more beneficial to bring Forster and/or Ruddy and/or Foster off the bench?
Forster has now featured in 12 match-day squads but made only one start. For Ruddy it is 14 match-day squads and one substitute appearance, while Foster has not started for England since 2010.
That lack of international exposure could prove costly if Hart gets injured. At just shy of 21, Butland is spending a third loan stint away from Stoke City and looks to be one for the future.
Defenders
Definitely on the plane: Leighton Baines (29, Everton, 22 caps, one goal), Gary Cahill (28, Chelsea, 22 caps, two goals), Phil Jagielka (31, Everton, 24 caps, one goal), Glen Johnson (29, Liverpool, 50 caps, one goal), Phil Jones (22, Manchester United, nine caps), Chris Smalling (24, Manchester United, 10 caps)
Almost there: Jon Flanagan (21, Liverpool, 0 caps)
Facing an anxious wait: Ashley Cole (33, Chelsea, 107 caps), Luke Shaw (18, Southampton, one cap), Kyle Walker (23, Tottenham, 10 caps)
Making a late charge: Nathaniel Clyne (22, Southampton, uncapped), Kieran Gibbs (24, Arsenal, three caps), John Stones (19, Everton, 0 caps)
The left-field possibility? Joleon Lescott (31, Manchester City, 26 caps, one goal)
Luke Shaw
Southampton's Luke Shaw (right) impressed in his England debut against Denmark in March
Former England defender Graeme Le Saux believes Roy Hodgson should include left-back Luke Shaw in his World Cup squad instead of Ashley Cole.
Le Saux says Shaw's "composure and undoubted quality" and his age could give him the edge over Cole.
"You still have to pick your best team but ultimately there has to be one eye on the future as well," said Le Saux.
"From Cole's point of view, while he has the pedigree, you have to ask if he has played enough football at Chelsea this season - and whether or not that is a signal he is coming to the end of a magnificent career at the highest level."
Everton left-back Leighton Baines has featured in more match-day squads than anyone under Hodgson and is likely to be first choice in Brazil.
At centre-half, Jagielka and Cahill look to be Hodgson's preferred partnership. Jagielka's recent hamstring injury also opened the door for another defender in the Everton backline - John Stones.
In deputising for Jagielka and more recently Sylvain Distin, Stones' performances have caught the eye of many, including former England captain Gary Lineker.
"The one I might take a chance on because we are short in central defence is Stones," said Lineker. "I really like him and he has got a lot about him."
Phil Jones will be likely to get the nod after Ryan Giggs said he "will be OK for the World Cup" after a recent shoulder injury. He is likely to be joined by his fellow Manchester United team mate Chris Smalling on the plane.
With Kyle Walker, a certainty for the squad if fit, still unable to train since suffering a pelvic injury on 13 March, Glen Johnson looks odds-on to be the first choice right-back and add to his 50 international caps.
Walker's possible absence leaves a potential opening for right-backs Jon Flanagan of Liverpool and Nathaniel Clyne of Southampton - both of whom are yet to make their England debuts.
Midfielders
Definitely on the plane: Steven Gerrard, captain (33, Liverpool, 109 caps, 21 goals), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (20, Arsenal, 14 caps, three goals), Jordan Henderson (23, Liverpool, eight caps), Adam Lallana (25, Southampton, three caps), Raheem Sterling (19, Liverpool, two caps)
Almost there: Ross Barkley (20, Everton, three caps) James Milner (28, Manchester City, 45 caps, one goal) Michael Carrick (32, Manchester United, 31 caps)
Facing an anxious wait: Jack Wilshere (22, Arsenal, 15 caps), Tom Cleverley (24, Manchester United, 13 caps), Frank Lampard (35, Chelsea, 103 caps, 29 goals),
Making a late charge: Gareth Barry (33, Everton, 53 caps, three goals), Adam Johnson (26, Sunderland, 12 caps, two goals)
The left-field possibility? Ashley Young (28, Manchester United, 30 caps, seven goals)
Injured: Theo Walcott (25, Arsenal, 36 caps, five goals), Andros Townsend (22, Tottenham, five caps, one goal)
Ross Barkley
Central midfielder Ross Barkley has been a key player for Everton in their successful season
As captain and orchestrator-in-chief, Gerrard is perhaps the only cast-iron selection in this fiercely competitive area of the team.
The other central midfield position(s) are set to be contested by Gerrard's Liverpool team mate Jordan Henderson, Michael Carrick and Jack Wilshere, if Hodgson is satisfied the latter's injury absence since March does not present a fitness gamble.
Wilshere has not played since suffering a fracture in his left foot on England duty against Denmark nine weeks ago, although he was on the Arsenal bench for their final Premier League game against Norwich on Sunday.
Henderson has played a key role in Liverpool's title challenge this season and has gone a long way to finally justifying his £20m price tag.
His form and understanding at club level with Gerrard perhaps puts him ahead in the pecking order above Wilshere and Carrick - both of whom have suffered from injury-hit seasons and indifferent form respectively.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's progress was checked in August by a knee injury that ruled him out for several months, but he has since returned to full sharpness and memories of his superb equaliser against Brazil in the Maracana will not fade in a hurry.
Adam Lallana analysis
Image of Chris Waddle
Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live
"I would try to find a place in the team for him. He gets space, he makes space, he can see a pass, he can go inside and outside of players and he can score a goal himself.
"He has energy, he can see a pass and he is ideal for international football."
In the attacking positions, the feeling that both Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana are both almost certainties for Brazil exemplify the seasons they have had.
At the BBC's recent World Cup launch, Gary Lineker supported their inclusions, referring to Sterling as a "sensational footballer" and Lallana as a "delightful footballer".
Both players have hit a purple patch and been integral to their respective clubs this season - and the question now might not be whether they go to the World Cup but whether they warrant a starting place.
Likewise, Everton's Ross Barkley has also played himself into Hodgson's World Cup plans with some fantastic displays this season - not least with the magnificent, 25-yard curling effort he scored against Manchester City recently.
Lineker is also a fan of the 20-year-old, calling him "a star in the making" and a "prodigious talent" back in December, 2013.
There is greater concern surrounding Hodgson regulars Cleverley, Lampard and Milner - the latter two being used in rotational roles this season and Cleverley the subject of an online petition for him to be banned from being picked for the World Cup squad.
Hodgson has already warned England's "big-name" players that at least one of them faces missing out on the World Cup.
Forwards
Definitely on the plane: Wayne Rooney (28, Manchester United, 89 caps, 38 goals), Daniel Sturridge (24, Liverpool, 10 caps, three goals), Danny Welbeck (23, Manchester United, 21 caps, eight goals)
Almost there: Rickie Lambert (32, Southampton, four caps, two goals)
Facing an anxious wait: Jermain Defoe (31, Toronto, 55 caps, 19 goals)
Making a late charge: Connor Wickham (21, Sunderland, 0 caps)
The left-field possibility? Andy Carroll (25, West Ham, nine caps, two goals)
Injured: Jay Rodriguez (24, Southampton, one cap)
Andy Carroll
West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has not played for England since October 2012
This is not an area in which England are particularly well stocked, although the likes of Sterling and Lallana do tend to operate as wide forwards when England attack.
Rooney and Sturridge are Hodgson's most obvious sources of firepower and there will be huge pressure on them to lead the line for their country as they do their clubs.
Manchester United interim manager Ryan Giggs recently said Rooney is ready to make a big impact at this summer's World Cup. "Wayne is a top player," said Giggs.
"He is at a good age. He is probably at the peak of his powers and I know for a fact he can't wait for it."
Rooney's United team mate Danny Welbeck is also primed for a place on the plane after performing well under Hodgson numerous times in an England shirt.
The final place in the squad will likely be contested by Rickie Lambert, Jermain Defoe and Andy Carroll. The 32-year-old Lambert has had another consistent season for Southampton, netting 12 league goals while Andy Carroll has returned strongly for West Ham since injury.
If Hodgson needs a reminder of what the 6ft 3in frontman can do, he only needs to recall England's dramatic victory over Sweden at Euro 2012.
Defoe has featured in all but two of Hodgson's match-day squads but a move to Toronto FC in the MLS could undermine his chances - despite him scoring at almost a goal-per-game ratio for his new club.
A potential wildcard could be Sunderland striker Connor Wickham who scored five times to help his team avoid relegation, picking up the Premier League's Player of the Month award for April in the process.
With Hodgson saying he's known his squad for a while however, it might just have come too late for the 21-year-old.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26461761" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
World Cup 2014: Who is on the England plane to Brazil?
Do you pick Ashley Cole or Luke Shaw? Who partners Steven Gerrard in midfield? Is Adam Lallana the surprise package? Will Raheem Sterling continue to shine? Which back-up goalkeepers get the nod?
These are just some of the questions facing England boss Roy Hodgson as he prepares to select a provisional squad for the World Cup in Brazil.
He plans to announce 23 names and seven stand-bys on 13 May before confirming a 23-man touring party with Fifa by 2 June; 10 days prior to the tournament starting and 12 days before England face Italy in their Group D opener in Manaus.
Since Hodgson took over as manager two years ago, 57 different players have been involved on 25 match days. Their final international audition took place in March, England beating Denmark 1-0.
Hodgson's Euro 2012 squad included three goalkeepers, seven defenders, nine midfielders and four strikers. What will he do this time? And who will board the flight to South America?
Goalkeepers
Definitely on the plane: Joe Hart (26, Manchester City, 39 caps)
Almost there: Fraser Forster (25, Celtic, one cap)
Facing an anxious wait: John Ruddy (27, Norwich, one cap)
Making a late charge: Jack Butland (20, Stoke City, one cap), Ben Foster (30, West Brom, six caps)
The left-field possibility? Robert Green (34, QPR, 12 caps)
Fraser Forster
Celtic's Fraser Forster has only played once for England despite being included in 12 match-day squads
Despite losing his place in the Manchester City team for a spell earlier this season, Hart has been England's undisputed number one for almost four years.
His 39 caps have brought 20 clean sheets and he has played in all but three of Hodgson's 25 games in charge. With that in mind, some questioned the wisdom of giving Hart 90 minutes against Denmark and, although he made a fine save from Morten Rasmussen at 0-0, might it not have been more beneficial to bring Forster and/or Ruddy and/or Foster off the bench?
Forster has now featured in 12 match-day squads but made only one start. For Ruddy it is 14 match-day squads and one substitute appearance, while Foster has not started for England since 2010.
That lack of international exposure could prove costly if Hart gets injured. At just shy of 21, Butland is spending a third loan stint away from Stoke City and looks to be one for the future.
Defenders
Definitely on the plane: Leighton Baines (29, Everton, 22 caps, one goal), Gary Cahill (28, Chelsea, 22 caps, two goals), Phil Jagielka (31, Everton, 24 caps, one goal), Glen Johnson (29, Liverpool, 50 caps, one goal), Phil Jones (22, Manchester United, nine caps), Chris Smalling (24, Manchester United, 10 caps)
Almost there: Jon Flanagan (21, Liverpool, 0 caps)
Facing an anxious wait: Ashley Cole (33, Chelsea, 107 caps), Luke Shaw (18, Southampton, one cap), Kyle Walker (23, Tottenham, 10 caps)
Making a late charge: Nathaniel Clyne (22, Southampton, uncapped), Kieran Gibbs (24, Arsenal, three caps), John Stones (19, Everton, 0 caps)
The left-field possibility? Joleon Lescott (31, Manchester City, 26 caps, one goal)
Luke Shaw
Southampton's Luke Shaw (right) impressed in his England debut against Denmark in March
Former England defender Graeme Le Saux believes Roy Hodgson should include left-back Luke Shaw in his World Cup squad instead of Ashley Cole.
Le Saux says Shaw's "composure and undoubted quality" and his age could give him the edge over Cole.
"You still have to pick your best team but ultimately there has to be one eye on the future as well," said Le Saux.
"From Cole's point of view, while he has the pedigree, you have to ask if he has played enough football at Chelsea this season - and whether or not that is a signal he is coming to the end of a magnificent career at the highest level."
Everton left-back Leighton Baines has featured in more match-day squads than anyone under Hodgson and is likely to be first choice in Brazil.
At centre-half, Jagielka and Cahill look to be Hodgson's preferred partnership. Jagielka's recent hamstring injury also opened the door for another defender in the Everton backline - John Stones.
In deputising for Jagielka and more recently Sylvain Distin, Stones' performances have caught the eye of many, including former England captain Gary Lineker.
"The one I might take a chance on because we are short in central defence is Stones," said Lineker. "I really like him and he has got a lot about him."
Phil Jones will be likely to get the nod after Ryan Giggs said he "will be OK for the World Cup" after a recent shoulder injury. He is likely to be joined by his fellow Manchester United team mate Chris Smalling on the plane.
With Kyle Walker, a certainty for the squad if fit, still unable to train since suffering a pelvic injury on 13 March, Glen Johnson looks odds-on to be the first choice right-back and add to his 50 international caps.
Walker's possible absence leaves a potential opening for right-backs Jon Flanagan of Liverpool and Nathaniel Clyne of Southampton - both of whom are yet to make their England debuts.
Midfielders
Definitely on the plane: Steven Gerrard, captain (33, Liverpool, 109 caps, 21 goals), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (20, Arsenal, 14 caps, three goals), Jordan Henderson (23, Liverpool, eight caps), Adam Lallana (25, Southampton, three caps), Raheem Sterling (19, Liverpool, two caps)
Almost there: Ross Barkley (20, Everton, three caps) James Milner (28, Manchester City, 45 caps, one goal) Michael Carrick (32, Manchester United, 31 caps)
Facing an anxious wait: Jack Wilshere (22, Arsenal, 15 caps), Tom Cleverley (24, Manchester United, 13 caps), Frank Lampard (35, Chelsea, 103 caps, 29 goals),
Making a late charge: Gareth Barry (33, Everton, 53 caps, three goals), Adam Johnson (26, Sunderland, 12 caps, two goals)
The left-field possibility? Ashley Young (28, Manchester United, 30 caps, seven goals)
Injured: Theo Walcott (25, Arsenal, 36 caps, five goals), Andros Townsend (22, Tottenham, five caps, one goal)
Ross Barkley
Central midfielder Ross Barkley has been a key player for Everton in their successful season
As captain and orchestrator-in-chief, Gerrard is perhaps the only cast-iron selection in this fiercely competitive area of the team.
The other central midfield position(s) are set to be contested by Gerrard's Liverpool team mate Jordan Henderson, Michael Carrick and Jack Wilshere, if Hodgson is satisfied the latter's injury absence since March does not present a fitness gamble.
Wilshere has not played since suffering a fracture in his left foot on England duty against Denmark nine weeks ago, although he was on the Arsenal bench for their final Premier League game against Norwich on Sunday.
Henderson has played a key role in Liverpool's title challenge this season and has gone a long way to finally justifying his £20m price tag.
His form and understanding at club level with Gerrard perhaps puts him ahead in the pecking order above Wilshere and Carrick - both of whom have suffered from injury-hit seasons and indifferent form respectively.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's progress was checked in August by a knee injury that ruled him out for several months, but he has since returned to full sharpness and memories of his superb equaliser against Brazil in the Maracana will not fade in a hurry.
Adam Lallana analysis
Image of Chris Waddle
Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live
"I would try to find a place in the team for him. He gets space, he makes space, he can see a pass, he can go inside and outside of players and he can score a goal himself.
"He has energy, he can see a pass and he is ideal for international football."
In the attacking positions, the feeling that both Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana are both almost certainties for Brazil exemplify the seasons they have had.
At the BBC's recent World Cup launch, Gary Lineker supported their inclusions, referring to Sterling as a "sensational footballer" and Lallana as a "delightful footballer".
Both players have hit a purple patch and been integral to their respective clubs this season - and the question now might not be whether they go to the World Cup but whether they warrant a starting place.
Likewise, Everton's Ross Barkley has also played himself into Hodgson's World Cup plans with some fantastic displays this season - not least with the magnificent, 25-yard curling effort he scored against Manchester City recently.
Lineker is also a fan of the 20-year-old, calling him "a star in the making" and a "prodigious talent" back in December, 2013.
There is greater concern surrounding Hodgson regulars Cleverley, Lampard and Milner - the latter two being used in rotational roles this season and Cleverley the subject of an online petition for him to be banned from being picked for the World Cup squad.
Hodgson has already warned England's "big-name" players that at least one of them faces missing out on the World Cup.
Forwards
Definitely on the plane: Wayne Rooney (28, Manchester United, 89 caps, 38 goals), Daniel Sturridge (24, Liverpool, 10 caps, three goals), Danny Welbeck (23, Manchester United, 21 caps, eight goals)
Almost there: Rickie Lambert (32, Southampton, four caps, two goals)
Facing an anxious wait: Jermain Defoe (31, Toronto, 55 caps, 19 goals)
Making a late charge: Connor Wickham (21, Sunderland, 0 caps)
The left-field possibility? Andy Carroll (25, West Ham, nine caps, two goals)
Injured: Jay Rodriguez (24, Southampton, one cap)
Andy Carroll
West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has not played for England since October 2012
This is not an area in which England are particularly well stocked, although the likes of Sterling and Lallana do tend to operate as wide forwards when England attack.
Rooney and Sturridge are Hodgson's most obvious sources of firepower and there will be huge pressure on them to lead the line for their country as they do their clubs.
Manchester United interim manager Ryan Giggs recently said Rooney is ready to make a big impact at this summer's World Cup. "Wayne is a top player," said Giggs.
"He is at a good age. He is probably at the peak of his powers and I know for a fact he can't wait for it."
Rooney's United team mate Danny Welbeck is also primed for a place on the plane after performing well under Hodgson numerous times in an England shirt.
The final place in the squad will likely be contested by Rickie Lambert, Jermain Defoe and Andy Carroll. The 32-year-old Lambert has had another consistent season for Southampton, netting 12 league goals while Andy Carroll has returned strongly for West Ham since injury.
If Hodgson needs a reminder of what the 6ft 3in frontman can do, he only needs to recall England's dramatic victory over Sweden at Euro 2012.
Defoe has featured in all but two of Hodgson's match-day squads but a move to Toronto FC in the MLS could undermine his chances - despite him scoring at almost a goal-per-game ratio for his new club.
A potential wildcard could be Sunderland striker Connor Wickham who scored five times to help his team avoid relegation, picking up the Premier League's Player of the Month award for April in the process.
With Hodgson saying he's known his squad for a while however, it might just have come too late for the 21-year-old.
