England start their Brazilian World Cup 2014 campaign this evening, taking on Italy at 11pm our time. It gives Roy Hodgson and his men the chance to pump hope into the country and give us a feel whether or not it will be a limp showing from our players, but a win will also make us favourites to win the group, in my opinion. But how should Hodgson deploy the troops?
Well, we know Joe Hart will be in goal, and I think the back four picks itself. At right-back I expect to see Liverpool defender Glen Johnson, despite his rocky form of late, and on the other side I am sure Leighton Baines will be first choice.
In the middle of defence I expect to see Chelsea’s Gary Cahill and Everton’s Phil Jagielka.
In the forward six I would build it around the Liverpool quartet of Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge.
The first two would sit in the holding spots in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Sterling down the left. Sturridge would lead my line, If I were in charge of picking the team, with Wayne Rooney in the number 10 role.
On the right I think Adam Lallana deserves a start.
England fans, how would you line up?