Marcus Rashford was the obvious name that leapt out from Roy Hodgson’s provisional England squad for Euro 2016, mainly because when the draw for the tournament was made on December 12, few outside of Old Trafford – United fans included – would have heard of him.
Six months later and he’s the wildcard forward Hodgson is considering taking to France, although at the same time he’s one of the more obvious candidates to be among the three cut before the May 31 deadline.
As talented as he may be, the FA Cup robs him of a chance to play Turkey meaning Rashford will need a stellar display against Australia on May 27 to realistically be considered. But given the way his career has gone so far, you wouldn’t count against it.
Jack Wilshere’s inclusion was never in doubt once he proved his fitness, the same can also be said for Jordan Henderson who was given 26 minutes against West Brom by Jurgen Klopp to show he’s overcome his knee injury. Although, you can’t help fearing a second-half run-out at the Hawthorns in a meaningless end-of-season fixture isn’t exactly proving your status for an international tournament.
The high-profile omissions range from thirtysomethings Jermain Defoe, who can perhaps feel a little unlucky given his late-season burst for Sunderland, and Everton’s Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines, part of a defence among the worst in the Premier League, to Theo Walcott, whose consideration as a viable option is due to nothing more than the fact he plays for Arsenal.
Essentially though, this is a squad with little controversy or debate over individuals being left out who should have got in. Had Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Luke Shaw been fit, it might have created a few conundrums for the manager, but for now it all seems rather placid.
Which really is a damning indictment on the level of quality he has to pick from in a country home to the richest and, as we’re repeatedly told, best football league in the world. Such is the strength in quality of the Premier League’s 20 teams, Hodgson’s squad should represent the creme de la creme, instead – with due respect to the individuals involved – it’s more a case of the best of what’s around.
Jack Butland’s injury denying him a place hasn’t helped but Joe Hart has held a monopoly on the No1 jersey for at least five years. The fact there are only five Premier League clubs with first choice English goalkeepers – with Newcastle’s hand forced by Tim Krul’s season-ending injury – explains why.
Moving forward, Hodgson is taking just seven recognised defenders with Tottenham’s Eric Dier a fourth centre-back option. But of those seven, what competition did they have to ever question they’d be involved? The aforementioned Jagielka perhaps, a team-mate of John Stones, who gets in by virtue of being a more fashionable pick.
Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross? Scott Dann at Crystal Palace? Phil Jones has been a previous Hodgson favourite and was in his squads at Euro 2012 and World Cup 2014, but hasn’t played since January due to a considerable decline in form.
Hodgson’s full-backs look okay – Danny Rose and Kyle Walker deserve it after outstanding seasons but neither has convinced at international level – but again, who missed out? West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell was worthy of consideration but the rest: Baines, Callum Chambers, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson, Martin Kelly… none were really expected to make it.
Midfield and attack look England’s strongest departments, with Dele Alli’s involvement alone an exciting proposition. But Fabian Delph has completed 90 minutes this season just once for Manchester City, and yet appears in the 26 – albeit among those most likely to leave. West Ham’s Mark Noble has reason to be frustrated and perhaps Michael Carrick but no one else has presented a case.
Of the leading 21 goalscorers in the Premier League this season, five were English; three are in the squad, Watford’s Troy Deeney has never been part of any England-related discussion and the fifth is Defoe, who hasn’t won a cap in three years.
This isn’t to say it’s a bad squad, or a group of players who can’t do well in France, it’s just you almost feel sorry for Hodgson such are his lack of options across the board.
