With the Premier League season reaching its climax on Sunday, attention now switches to the World Cup in Brazil in just 31 days. Hodgson has named a potentially exciting squad.
The former Fulham manager named three goalkeepers, Joe Hart, Ben Foster and Celtic’s Fraser Forster.
The big news which broke last night was confirmed that Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole would not be included, and instead 18-year-old Luke Shaw will back-up Leighton Baines.
Midfield is where I see a real improvement in the selection, instead of Michael Carrick and Cleverley who have endured a torrid season at Old Trafford there is new blood.
When discussing the involvement of players with a lack of experience at international level, Hodgson was honest.
“Players that used to be seen as fringe players no longer are, they have imposed themselves upon me and I think they’ve played so well at their clubs this season.”
Players like Wilshere, Lallana, Henderson, Sterling and Barkley will offer a new dimension to England when they are in possession, players who are mobile, can beat a man and move the ball with pace.
Accompanied by the experience of Milner, Gerrard and Lampard. Lampard’s inclusion was in doubt.
However, if England’s attacking prowess sees them 1-0 up against Italy with 10 minutes to go, Lampard isn’t a bad player to have to help see out the game.
Up front Rooney and Sturridge were there as expected, with Manchester United’s Daniel Welbeck and the final spot deservedly went to Southampton’s Rickie Lambert.
England squad: Hart, Forster, Foster
Baines, Cahill, Jagielka, Johnson, Shaw, Smalling, Jones
Barkley, Gerrard, Wilshere, Lampard, Chamberlain, Milner, Lallana, Sterling, Henderson
Rooney, Lambert, Sturridge, Welbeck