With Euro 2016 fast approaching, it is fresh in the mind of all football fans that the eagerly awaited 23 man squad selection is closing in on us. The expected, the shock inclusion, the outrage of a player who is not on the plane. Here’s a brief look at a few who are worth considering that may not be on your list…
FRASER FORSTER- On return from injury, Southampton’s big man between the sticks has shown just why Roy Hodgson is going into Euro 2016 with strength in Depth. With 11 clean sheets, remaining at his peak and competing in top European competition, Joe Hart remains the England No.1, but waiting in line are the many. Forster’s return in January has sparked a surge of success for the Saints, with 5 wins, 1 draw and 0 goals conceded in the process, including fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester United.
JACK BUTLAND- That decides the No.2 then right? Or not… Jack Butland, the 22-year-old has been spoken of for some time now and this season it seems he has stepped up and is rightly taking the plaudits for some big results for new look Stoke City. The young man holds 10 clean sheets for his club side this year (an overall 12 including his international caps v Lithuania and France).
DANNY SIMPSON- Playing full back in professional football often leaves you in the mediocrity of ratings throughout your career, however, with England’s options in defence still yet to be concrete why should Danny Simpson be written out of the equation? A confident, composed and consistent campaign and holds strong as the full back of current Premier League leaders.
KYLE WALKER- The more exciting option at full back and certainly a consideration for playing either side of the defence in the Euro’s. Pace, strength and the ability to assist and score (usually in style). Tottenham are on course to possibly take the Premier League title as their own for the first time in its name sake and defensive stability (including Walker regularly) has been vital to their claim. This man does not only bring added attacking flair, his size and prowess makes him an invaluable and versatile defensive addition to any squad.
DANNY ROSE- Similarities with both Simpson and Walker can be made to the Spurs full back, his career started with a bang! And one no football fan forgets, hitting what can only be described as a world class strike against North London rivals, Arsenal. Following that it has taken some battle for Rose to make his name at the top, but he showed signs of ability and stable play last season and has picked up where he had left off. Another player that adds attacking flair to a squad as well as his defensive stability and support.
DANNY DRINKWATER- At the heart of the Leicester City midfield in this spectacle of a season sits Danny Drinkwater, surpassing all expectations, the midfielder has been the engine room alongside much talked about Kante throughout the Foxes dominance under Ranieri. His passing, simple, yet effective, in the club’s counter attacking system. Drinkwater supports the defensive line and looks to the channels to release the counter of his pace and flair players; with the likes of Walcott, Sterling, Welbeck and Oxlade-Chamberlain all ‘waiting in the wings’ for their shot at making the impact, this man could make their roles that much easier to win games in France this summer.
MARC ALBRIGHTON- With the most appearances under his belt of all players in the Premier League (joint with Everton’s Gareth Barry) and sitting inside the top 10 assist makers. Albrighton stands strong as possibly the most influential player in Leicester’s rise to the top alongside the goal scoring talents of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy. With many of England’s wide options being like for like, Albrighton could bring a different edge to the team and holds versatility to ‘do a job’ in most areas of the pitch for his nation. A success story that deserves his chance after his torrid treatment at Aston Villa and re-ignited career at Leicester.
JERMAIN DEFOE- Goals, goals, goals…never stops doing it at the highest level! Consistently for me one of the best Premier League goal scorers ever. Fits all the clichés when it comes to scoring goals; knows where the net is, the goal doesn’t move, you name it, Defoe can score it. Age should never deny a player the chance to make a difference for his nation. The likes of Miroslav Klose travelled to World Cup’s/Euro’s well into their 30’s. Defoe is a game-changer England need.
TROY DEENEY- Not only has he converted more goals than the England captain, Wayne Rooney this campaign, he is also a striker that creates goals, holding himself in the top 10 in assist stats in the Premier League. His power and ability to create and change a game stands the Watford skipper in good stead for a Roy Hodgson head-ache when it comes to picking his strike force.
GARETH BARRY- As previously mentioned, Barry shares the most appearances in the Premier League this season with Leicester’s, Marc Albrighton. Certainly no surprise as this man has been Mr. Consistent for as long as anyone can remember at the top flight of English football. His ability to break up play is invaluable and is a big option for Hodgson to consider if/when England come up against the likes of France, Spain or Italy and need to break the game up in midfield.
RYAN BERTRAND- A battle in the ranks at left-back since the retirement of Ashley Cole saw a long spell for Everton’s Leighton Baines; injury and age has taken its toll on the full back and the likes of Bertrand and Gibbs have broken through. With Luke Shaw injured, Baines seemingly past his peak, still lacking full fitness and Kieran Gibbs being kept out the Arsenal line-up by in-form Nacho Monreal. Former Chelsea man, Ryan Bertrand is surely up for deliberation as England’s number 3.
GLEN JOHNSON- The experienced full-back has already been involved in 9 of Stoke City’s clean sheets in the Premier League this season. Johnson has experience at the top level and with the breakthrough of promising youth, it is vital to have experience alongside to support and aid the growth of these talents. Alongside Leighton Baines, you would tip these two full backs to act the perfect role models for the likes of younger talents, Clyne and Bertrand.
MARK NOBLE- In stead with the mentions of Drinkwater and Barry, Mark Noble has been vital to the success West Ham have experienced this year under Slaven Bilic. A leader, a fighter and having been fouled 37 times already this year in the Premier League, certainly a player creating chances and needing to be stopped by opposition.
SCOTT DANN- For 2 years now, Scott Dann has been arguably the most consistent centre-half in the Premier League. All stats sway his way on performances, it seems a Crystal Palace defender who sometimes plays in the way of the old mould of central defenders has not been deemed glamorous enough to be chosen to represent his nation on a regular occasion. With more playing time than the likes of Gary Cahill, Dann should certainly be on that plane to bolster the England defence.
Just Missing the consideration cut:
Tom Heaton, Kieran Trippier, Ryan Shawcross, Callum Wilson, Charlie Austin.
Would any of these players make your cut? – Let me know in the comments below
Finishing Touch Football 