Euro 2016 England Squad Predictions – Who will be in France?

This summer, Roy Hodgson takes his youthful England side to France for Euro 2016, and this is probably as quietly confident as I’ve ever been when thinking back to the preparations for an international tournament.

 

Although very young and still relatively inexperienced, what an exciting squad Roy has accumulated, he has them playing some sensational football at times. England had a 100% record in their Euro 2016 qualifiers, and then apart from the friendly against the Netherlands have impressed against Germany and France. He’s managed to integrate young players such as Deli Alli, Ross Barkley and John Stones in the last 18 months amongst others to really add some exuberance to the side.

 

Usually in the build up to International tournaments, you get the doom and gloom of most fans expecting another quarter-final exit. I don’t think that would be good enough for this current crop of players. I think there’s genuine hope for an England success, especially with Germany and Spain looking more beatable than they have in years. France are obvious favourites in the Euro 2016 betting, but England could be many punters’ dark horses.

 

England were the only team to win all 10 qualifying matches, and some may say take that with a pinch of salt, but I think the level of consistency Roy Hodgson has instilled in the players will stand them in good stead for the summer. The heartache of going out so early in the World Cup two years ago is still prominent in Roy’s thoughts, and you can see how meticulous he and Gary Neville have been in the preparations this time around. I don’t think you’ll see a cagey England side, you’ll see a confident, fast paced and youthful side attacking at will at their opponents.

 

 

Predicting the Euro 2016 England Squad

 

This is a much debated and contentious argument, and one which divides opinion around the nation. Of course every England fan tends to be a little bit biased towards players of their own clubs getting called up to the England squad, but analysing objectively, Roy has some serious dilemmas to weigh up when deciding the 23 men he will take to France.

 

Goalkeepers

After the devastating news that Jack Butland will miss the Euros due to his injury he picked up in Berlin against Germany, the goalkeepers almost pick themselves. Joe Hart is England’s number one keeper, and the understudies will be Fraser Forster and Tom Heaton.

Joe Hart will be the first name on the Euro 2016 team sheet.

 

Defenders

Roy will take eight defenders to France, and I can see them being: Gary Cahill, Leighton Baines, Danny Rose, John Stones, Nathaniel Clyne, Phil Jagielka, Chris Smalling and Kyle Walker. It looks like Luke Shaw will not get the required game time before the squad is announced so again, I’d be surprised to see any omissions from this list of defenders.

Clyne will be England's right back at Euro 2016.

 

Midfielders

Here’s where it gets a little trickier. The definite midfielders I believe will go to France are:  Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Ross Barkley, James Milner, Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson (if fit).

 

Roy then has a decision who to take from Raheem Sterling – who I think definitely should travel, as well as Danny Drinkwater who has been one of the players of the season in the Premier League, and without shining, had a pretty good start to his England career in the recent friendlies. He also regards Jack Wilshere as one of his favourite players, and has openly admitted on TalkSport recently that if he is fit and has played at least a couple of games before the end of the season, that he will seriously consider taking Jack to Euro 2016 in his England squad, so do not rule out a Wilshere call up. Theo Walcott has severely under-performed this season, yet people are still discussing his chances of a call up. Personally I wouldn’t think he’s done enough to warrant it, but Roy is very loyal to long term members of the England squad, which Theo has become.

 

You’ve also got outsiders such as Jesse Lingard who has been excellent for Manchester United since Christmas, at times keeping Juan Mata out of the line-up due to his performances. There are thousands of West Ham fans perplexed why Mark Noble hasn’t been given a chance to play for England, maybe it’s his age now which is against him, or maybe Roy doesn’t believe he could step up to International level. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain has had injury problems all season, and therefore eyebrows would be raised if Roy were to include him in the squad in the May announcement.

Ross Barkley and Adam Lallana will be at Euro 2016 with England.

 

Strikers

There hasn’t been as much debate on the four strikers Roy will take to England, but still there are a few suggestions bouncing around the social media world. The three certainties are: Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy.

 

Anyone who suggest Rooney shouldn’t go isn’t looking at the bigger picture. Yes, he’s been injured recently, but before his injury he was actually one of the in-form strikers in the Premier League. Yes, he’s aging, but he’s still only 30, and is one of the few members of the England squad with a decade of experience in International tournaments behind him. He holds the record for most England goals and is the captain. He will guide the younger players when needed, and whether he starts or comes off the bench, he will certainly contribute in a massive way on and off the pitch for the squad.

 

The final striker place is probably between Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge. Welbeck is one of Hodgson’s favourite players, as he loves his energy and direct running. Sturridge is a natural finisher, but serious question marks have been raised over the last 18 months on his fitness, and a month of football could be too much for him.

 

The outsiders to be called up are Andy Carroll and Marcus Rashford. Both have been in superb form for club, and offer something slightly different, especially Carroll. He would add an extra dimension if chasing a game, as defenders find it so hard to mark him on crosses and set pieces. A suggestion I’ve seen in recent weeks is Jermain Defoe. Apart from Sergio Aguero, he’s scored the most goals in 2016 in the Premier League. He may be aging, but he knows how to find the back of the net, so why not?

Harry Kane will start up front for England at Euro 2016.

 

Predicted England Squad for Euro 2016:

Joe Hart, Tom Heaton, Fraser Forster.

Gary Cahill, Leighton Baines, Danny Rose, John Stones, Nathaniel Clyne, Phil Jagielka, Chris Smalling and Kyle Walker.

Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Ross Barkley, James Milner, Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson/Jack Wilshere (fitness).

Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy