The English national side 2016

Since the debacle of South Africa, the youth of England are being looked at in a different light, the golden generation is over and the new boys need to be blooded in and tried out. Here is a rundown of who I think could make the grade at each position:

Goalkeeper:

Joe hart: The obvious candidate for the next 5 years and beyond, however many goalkeepers who have stepped up to the mark for England have fallen at a hurdle. Robert Green, Scot Carson, Paul Robinson, sounds familiar eh, let’s just hope ole Joe is an exception.

Ben Foster: Not given an opportunity to shine at United and now flourishing at Birmingham City, the extended run in the first team is what he needed; he could prove to be a valuable back up.

Centre Back:

Phil Jones: Blackburn’s young starlet may not have earned himself an Engloand call-up, however he has put in some sterling performances in the centre of the Blackburn defence, at only 19 as well he definitely has a future.

Chris Smalling: The heir to Rio Ferdinand didn’t live up to expectations until late in the season, however now he has been called upon he has notched up some impressive performances for the Red Devils, making him a prime candidate for a future England set up.

Left Back:

Kieran Gibbs: The young Arsenal left back find it difficult to get a first team spot ahead of Gael Clichy, but after Ashley Cole loses it for England he is most certainly the only real natural successor, like any Arsenal player though great with the ball, just needs more experience.

Right Back:

Kyle Walker: After a number of stunning performances for Aston Villa on loan from parent club Tottenham he has managed to get another England call up, great going forward but also solid at the back.

Martin Kelly: Pushed back by Glen Johnson, but got some first team action earlier in the season while Johnson was pushed to left back, another player with bags of potential and the world at his feet.

Holding Central Midfield:

Jack Rodwell: With interest from Manchester United and Chelsea hot on his heels it’s hard not to see why such big things are expected of the young Merseysider. Great in the air, bags of stamina, works hard and possesses a venomous shot, only a matter of time before he is called up.

Attacking Central Midfield:

Jack Wilshere: There really is only one option here, he has already shown this season that he can cut it with the big boys, and it looks like the sky is the limit for the young Gunner, I think England will see a better Wilshere if he is played further forward though.

Jordan Henderson: He was unlucky against France and was perhaps put out a little too early, it is obvious though that the boy has bags of raw talent and could be a good squad player or 3rd central midfielder in a 4-5-1.

Right Wing:

Theo Walcott: he has shown he can cut it on an international stage and has been unlucky with injuries in what has arguably been his best season for Arsenal; he has the ability to scare the life out of opposition’s full backs and should be one to watch.

Aaron Lennon: Lennon’s exploits on the right wing for the Lilywhites this season have not gone unnoticed and he is already owner of 19 England caps, he has the ability to score and provide and is a good right winger.

Left Wing:

Adam Johnson: While he is played a lot as an inside forward for Manchester City on the right his natural berth is on the left and with 2 goals in 6 caps mainly as a sub he is definitely one for the future of England.

Striker:

Andy Carroll: £35m may be a bit much for a striker in his first premiership season but being at Liverpool will help him grow immensely, England have been screaming for a big frontman and now they have one, and it’s not Emile Heskey, praise the lord!

Daniel Sturridge: His showing for Bolton has raised a fair few eyebrows, and there is obviously a lot of quality in the Chelsea loanee, shame he is in the pecking order behind Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Fernando Torres, only a big move and first team football will bring him an England call up.

So there we have it, that’s what I think, anybody feel there is a few I’ve missed, feel free to comment.

By John Fernandez