England manager Roy Hodgson will be naming the squad to take part in a couple of international fixtures next month and that has led to a lot of pundits and former players nominating Harry Kane to be part of the squad. Kane is probably England’s best striker, well at least the striker in form from the batch of English strikers playing.
Naming a squad is always a hard task and more often than not it is the big names who waltz into the team even if they have been performing rather poorly, so keeping that in mind here we present the England starting XI based on performances this season.
Fraser Forster
Current goalkeeper Joe Hart hasn’t been the most impressive this season either and in place of the Manchester City goalkeeper, the Southampton goalkeeper should play. Forster has been exceptional for the Saints this season and is partly the reason why the club are doing so well in the Premier League.
Leighton Baines
The fact that Baines faces almost no real competition for this spot is a worry for England. Baines nevertheless is one of the best left backs in the Premier League and is a shoe in to keep his place in the starting XI.
Phil Jagielka
Although Jagielka isn’t playing for the biggest club in the Premier League, he has been rock solid barring the first few games of the season where Everton were leaking goals from all sides. He is strong and good with the ball, plus his leadership skills are important for the back 4.
Gary Cahill
Another English defender who has been brilliant all season, Cahill might have had a couple of dire performances, but nothing can be taken away from the big defender, who has often played better than John Terry for Chelsea.
Nathaniel Clyne
Another Southampton star who has been in sparking form, Nathaniel Clyne is on the verge of becoming the best right back in England and at only 23 years old, he has a bright future ahead of him.
James Milner
James Milner is the kind of player every manager wants, always giving 100% for the team and doing whatever is needed. Milner has been one of the bright sparks from a disjointed Manchester City team and should be starting more games for England.
Mark Noble
The West Ham United midfielder might be a surprise choice for many, but his consistent performances for the club should ensure he gets another chance to prove himself on the international stage.
Stewart Downing
Stewart Downing has been given a new lease of life playing in a more central attacking role for West Ham United and the English attacker deserves to get another call up to the national side just to prove the doubters wrong.
Raheem Sterling
The 20 year old has been the star player for Liverpool in the second half of the season and even though there was that little issue with Raheem needing a rest in some earlier international games, he is a player who deserves to be in the XI.
Wayne Rooney
This one is a bit of a tough decision, not many English strikers are doing well and Rooney has been deployed more in midfield this season than as an attacker, but he still has done well in that position. He should play up front for England.
Harry Kane
The man of the moment, nothing really can go wrong for this striker. Kane has scored 23 goals in all competitions all season and with most English strikers struggling to score, he should be starting up front for the national side.
