3 surprise players who could make the England squad for the World Cup
So, they did it. Roy Hodgson and his merry band of Englishmen defeated Montenegro and Poland to confirm that they will be competing for that very famous trophy come June 2014.
We’re all excited aren’t we? And why not? It means the return of bloody loads of St George’s flags and brilliant Sun headlines similar to the one we saw on Wednesday morning stating that England ‘Had a Brazilian!’
Anyway, here are three players who could surprise everybody and sneak into Hodgson’s final squad for their trip to Rio.
1. Kiran Gibbs – Arsenal – 24
Leighton Baines is in the form of his life and it will take something spectacular for someone to take his spot in Hodgson’s starting XI. Ashley Cole is, at 32, slowly declining and Baines has taken his opportunity with both hands and performed brilliantly for England.
There is a very strong case to made for Kieran Gibbs’s inclusion into Hodgson’s squad come next summer especially if he continues his fine form for the table topping Gunners. Baines may very well be the best left back in the country but the only difference between he and Gibbs is that he can knock in the odd free kick.
2. Ravel Morrison – West Ham – 20
It appears that young Ravel is finally starting to focus on his career after a series of controversial off the field incidents which lead to Manchester United releasing him at the end of last season. Sam Allardyce decided he would take a risk and try to keep the youngster on the straight and narrow. Following a scintillating display during West Ham’s 3-0 demolition of Spurs, Morrison showed the ways in which he repay those who give him a chance and if he continues to keep his head clear.
Hodgson may consider him to much of a risk to take with him but if a leap of faith is taken then this could very well be a diamond in the rough,
3. Wilfried Zaha – Manchester United – 20
Another risk if Hodgson were to select him for next year’s tournament but, unlike Morrison, Wilfried Zaha doesn’t come with a reputation for off field misdemeanors. The problem for Zaha, however, is that he can’t get a game at Manchester United despite many calling for David Moyes to give the former Crystal Palace man a chance to show what he’s all about.
Regardless, Zaha showed at Palace that he is a talented player who provides a direct attacking threat and whilst he may not be thrust straight into Hodgson’s starting XI, Zaha could prove vital when being summoned from the substitutes bench.
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