ENGLAND: A youthful squad for the future

The Three Lions has always been one the most popular football teams at the international stage, and yet it also has a huge reputation in disappointing a lot of people whether back at home or abroad. Their popularity may have originated from the ever-popular Barclays Premier League (BPL), which obviously adds further unnecessary pressure to fulfill many expectations across the globe (or according to the Flatearthers, around the world). It is worth to note that the already heavy burden of performing well in major tournaments as the modern founder of football often increases and even multiplies every time they appear in the headlines, good or bad. In that regard, the generous amount of problems on and off the pitch is without a doubt the direct cause which results in making the English nation continue to be underachievers compared to other great footballing nations. With only one World Cup title in the cabinet, it is surely by now quite dusty since it was attained 50 years ago back in 1966.

It is quite sad to think that there's no more
Lampard or Gerrard for England.

However, with the appointment of Samuel "Sam" Allardyce as the new England manager, the future seems brighter at least compared to during Roy Hodgson's tenure. Harry Redknapp would have been the better choice a few years ago had The FA known what good timing really means. Therefore, "Big Sam" at this moment somehow appears like a great redemption for what had happened in the past. If the legendary Zidane, as well as great players such as Thuram and Makelele successfully made a comeback that eventually propelled France to the World Cup 2006 final in Germany, so what is the big deal if Big Sam wants Chelsea's skipper John Terry to return. Terry was acknowledged by many as a world-class defender and some believe he still is. However, any recall from retirement should only be accepted after realizing that the exciting new and young players which are coming into the England squad still leave a big gap in that defensive area.

Here's what the England national team might look like if the available resources are used properly.


The First Eleven

Joe Hart
Goalkeeper
(64 caps)
age 29, Torino*

Nathaniel Clyne
Right-back
(13 caps)
age 25, Liverpool

Luke Shaw
Left-back
(6 caps)
age 21, Manchester United

Calum Chambers
Centre-back
(3 caps)
age 21, Middlesbrough*

John Stones
Centre-back
(11 caps)
age 22, Manchester City

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Right midfield
(24 caps/5 goals)
age 23, Arsenal

Raheem Sterling
Left midfield
(27 caps/2 goals)
age 21, Manchester City

Ross Barkley
Centre midfield
(22 caps/2 goals)
age 22, Everton

Jack Wilshere
Centre midfield
(34 caps/2 goals)
age 24, Bournemouth*

Wayne Rooney (Captain)
Striker
(116 caps/53 goals)
age 30, Manchester United

Harry Kane
Striker
(17 caps/5 goals)
age 23, Tottenham Hotspur

The Substitutes (some of them)

Jack Butland
Goalkeeper
(4 caps)
age 23, Stoke City

Kieran Gibbs
Left-back
(10 caps)
age 27, Arsenal

Theo Walcott
Right midfield
(44 caps/8 goals)
age 27, Arsenal

Jesse Lingard
Left midfield
(uncapped*)
age 23, Manchester United

Eric Dier
Centre midfield
(12 caps/2 goals)
age 22, Tottenham Hotspur

Dele Alli
Centre midfield
(13 caps/1 goal)
age 20, Tottenham Hotspur

Jamie Vardy
Striker
(11 caps/4 goals)
age 29, Leicester City

Marcus Rashford
Striker
(3 caps/1 goal)
age 18, Manchester United

(credit: zimbio.com)

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