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After what can only be described as one of the most embarrassing nights in English football history in Nice this past Monday, Roy Hodgson announced his resignation as manager of the national team. As he departs, it starts what
could be, not just a shake-up of the management, but the playing squad.
The first man who will be under fire is Joe Hart. There is no doubting his ability as a goalkeeper; he is one of, if not the best England have. But complacency seems to have kicked in and his displays this summer were dreadful for a player of his supposed calibre. This should give an opportunity to Fraser Forster and Jack Butland to contest for number one and allow Hart to take a back-seat for a spell.
The form and improvement of both Butland and Forster has been immense over the last two years, with Butland only missing out on the Euros due to long-term injury. Last season Butland made 81 saves compared to Hart’s 67 despite playing four less games. More clean sheets are expected of Hart (15) playing at Manchester City, whilst Butland (10) is at an improving Stoke City so considering he is toe-to-toe with him in every other statistic shows his development and why he needs to get a run as England number one.
After the shambolic showing of England’s back-line against Iceland, Gary Cahill’s spot in the side should be questioned. Coming off the back of a nightmare campaign at Chelsea with more off-the pitch drama than on-field success, his place should’ve been tested but Hodgson went for a tried partnership alongside Chris Smalling.
However, Cahill came off worse than the United defender this summer and when you take the slide of his domestic form as well, it’s time to include new faces in the heart of England’s defence.
The likes of Scott Dann and Calum Chambers will be in the reckoning but as Ronald Koeman takes-over at Everton, John Stones is the ideal option. A season of criticism at Everton last year diminished his chances of starting at the Euros but with Koeman in at Goodison and renowned for developing youth at his disposal, things
could change.
Stones is highly regarded among fellow and ex pro’s, being liked to a young Rio Ferdinand, comfortable on the ball, dictating play from the back and an excellent reader of the game. His confidence was shot under Roberto Martinez last term in a vulnerable Everton rear-guard, but with Koeman educating him and a fresh England campaign ahead, this season could be the making of John Stones as a regular for club and country.
Onto the midfield and actually the most impressive part of England’s brief European Championships. Eric Dier grew into the holding midfield role with ease in this tournament, it was in front of him that failed to shine. Wayne Rooney, England captain and record goal-scorer is not going to be England’s focal point anymore, so the role of a
deep-lying midfielder was his task this summer.
He started well but against Iceland looked a shadow of himself and as captain, didn’t seem to lead or motivate his team-mates with their backs against the wall. Steven Gerrard departed, now it might be Rooney’s turn with a
wealth of talent waiting for their chance.
A season of action and consistency for Jack Wilshere will elevate him back to the player everyone knows he can be, despite a Euros blighted by a clear lack of match fitness. He will certainly have a role to play as well as Danny Drinkwater, who was very hard done by not to make the Euros squad. Ross Barkley, who like Stones will improve under Koeman at Everton is a great prospect and with time can become an important player for England.
The depth of central midfield is rife with the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Reuben Loftus-Cheek and Nathaniel Chalobah all promising after victory for the Under-21 side in the Toulon Tournament this simmer. Jordan Henderson is another player that could step in, as captain of Liverpool he has the responsibility and leadership to grow into the role.
Lastly, it is England’s attack that has underwhelmed the most in France. The system played by Roy Hodgson is a factor with Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge and Marcus Rashford all regularly being shunted out wide. But the attack simply wasnt’t good enough for the level needed here, in particular struggling striker Harry Kane.
Kane can bounce back and is still integral to England’s future hopes, but the use of Raheem Sterling on the wing is one which is in serious question after an appalling Euros for him. A key mistake this tournament was playing a formation using wingers, but only taking one!
The likes of Michail Antonio, Andros Townsend and the improving Nathan Redmond can all get a look in as
Sterling needs to show his quality for club before starting for country.
Whoever takes over from Hodgson now needs to find an effective system, team and pick players on form
rather than status. This, hopefully, should give us hope in England again.
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