England Euro 2016 Squad

First topic message reminder :

With Ashley Young's injury, made me start thinking about what England's squad will be looking like this summer. Although Young was unlikely to make the squad, I'm sure there was a part of him that had dreams of a call up. So what will the 23-Man squad look like?

Certainties

Wayne Rooney - as captain and consistent starter for England there is no way he won't be in the squad (injury withstanding of course). His form hasn't been fantastic this year but there are signs that is beginning to improve that Hodgson will be very happy with.

Joe Hart - England's pretty much undisputed number one, Jack Butland has had a fantastic year but Hart has been fairly solid in front of an inconsistent defence and is unlikely to be usurped before this tournament.

Raheem Sterling - Consistently in the squads since the World Cup. He's done well at Manchester City and Roy Hodgson will hope he can be a real driving force at the tournament this summer.

Jack Butland - A certainty in the squad, but unlikely to start. He's had a brilliant year and whilst this tournament has probably come a little too soon for him, he'll want to start pushing for the number one jersey in the future.

Jordan Henderson - A Hodgson favourite, his work-rate and increasing leadership qualities make him an important member of the squad. Hasn't shown the same form internationally as he has done at a club level, but won't be left out.

James Milner - Another with great work rate and also versatility. His Liverpool career hasn't brought him the extended run to prove himself as a quality central midfielder but he's been an important cog in that squad and his experience and utility will be welcomed in the squad.

Gary Cahill - Chelsea have been awful this year and Cahill has to take some responsibility but it's unlikely Hodgson will give up on his vice-captain.

Nathaniel Clyne - Been Liverpool's most consistent player and will likely have the right back slot for England tied down for a good few years. Good going forward and defending, he's a big improvement on Glen Johnson.

Harry Kane - It seems very unlikely Kane won't be in the squad after showing this year he is capable of keeping up a good scoring rate in the Premier League. Whether he will start much, or Rooney will get the number nine role remains to be seen.

John Stones - Hasn't had an amazing year but will likely be who the defence is built round in the future, can also play right back which will make him useful.

Chris Smalling - Had a good year defensively for Manchester United and has started to show form as a central defender. Selection headache at central defence as to who Hodgson decides to select.

Probably will make it

Ross Barkley - Hodgson is definitely a fan and he's had a better year this year than last. It's hard to see where he can be used best and whether he'll be anything more than a super-sub at this stage.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Has been out of form but can play in multiple positions and is still young.

Theo Walcott - Has had a decent year so far and has shown that he does have some ability in a central role. Will likely play wide in this England side but is very useful for his pace.

Adam Lallana - Been consistently selected and has been okay for Liverpool. He is good at defending from the front and has actually been more creative for England than he has been for Liverpool.

Fabien Delph - Only just starting to make an impact at Manchester City but somebody who has started to impose themselves for England under Hodgson. Playing at a higher level will have helped cement his chances of getting into the squad.

Phil Jagielka - Will likely continue to be selected but definitely his last tournament. Has been injured for much of the season but is an inexperienced defender and has a relationship playing with John Stones and Gary Cahill which does make him useful.

Jamie Vardy - The first half of the season form means it will be hard for Hodgson not to select him, but a dramatic fall from now until May could make him change his mind. Really needs an opportunity through the middle for England rather than an alternative to Danny Welbeck as Hodgson has used him.

Leighton Baines - With Luke Shaw injured and Kieran Gibbs not playing the left back is his for the taking.

Ryan Bertrand - As above, the second left back in the squad will be his most likely. Not had as good a year as last year so may struggle to remove Baines from left back.

Injury-depending

Jack Wilshere - If fit, will almost definitely be in the squad, but he's got to prove fitness first. Not really pushed on since he broke onto the scene and has lost over two years to injury in his career.

Danny Welbeck - Struggled with injury, may struggle to get back into the Arsenal side. A Hodgson favourite so if he is ready to go, will likely go but that is a big if.

Daniel Sturridge - If he can get fit and firing Sturridge is the best forward option England have, but that is such a huge question I imagine Hodgson hasn't even really been considering it. If he is fully fit in May though Hodgson would be crazy to leave him at home.

Fraser Forster - Not a lot of competition for that third goalkeeping spot, so it is likely going to be Forster's but he has to show form following his injury problems.

Ben Foster - Will likely be a straight fight between him and Forster for the third spot and both are coming back after injury.

Phil Jones - Missed much of the season with injury and still nobody knows where his best position is. He'll still likely make the squad if he is fit.

Possibilities

Eric Dier - Made his England debut and has been a revelation in the defensive midfield position. Will he get in over established England stars? Maybe.

Dele Alli - Like Dier has really come on this year and if he keeps it up may get a spot in the squad.

Danny Rose - Has been playing well this year, but Baines is more established and Bertrand more recently in the England squad.

Kyle Walker - Whether Hodgson takes another pure right back or relies on Stones, Smalling and Jones' versatility will determine whether Walker makes the squad with Clyne's position secure.

Michael Carrick - Been injured recently and hasn't really shown to be a favourite of any England manager. Whether he will accept a spot in the squad for this tournament remains to be seen.

Ryan Mason - Hasn't pushed on with Dembele, Alli and Dier all playing fantastically ahead of him so will struggle to make the squad. Should he push his way back into selection at Tottenham ahead of one of them though may steal their places.

Jonjo Shelvey - Played really well at the beginning of the season then his form dropped off a cliff. Strong form at Newcastle will give him a good shout at getting back into the squad though.

Jesse Lingard - Made his first appearance in an England squad recently, but didn't play. Form since has been decent but probably not enough to get selected.

Andros Townsend - Without a move in January, it's unlikely that even Hodgson could justify giving him a place in the squad.

Kieran Gibbs - Not playing at Arsenal has all but ruined his chances of making the squad. Should he get back into the Arsenal squad he could push for a left back spot.

Tom Cleverley - Hasn't set the world alight at Everton but has played for England recently. Some good form at the tail end of the season could see him get back in.

Outsiders

Robert Green - Unlikely, but was only called up last in June so certainly possible.

Tom Heaton - Made the last England squad but with Forster and Foster back will struggle to get back in, especially playing in the Championship.

Charlie Austin - Playing in the Championship won't have helped his chances. If he starts banging them in for Southampton he'll be hard to ignore.

Ricky Lambert - A Hodgson favourite the move to Liverpool has hurt him and he's not had a great time at West Brom.

Andy Carroll - For a brief injury-free period this season he scored a couple of goals and it looked like he might make waves. He's injured again though and unless he comes back and scores a boat-load of goals, will miss out.

Mark Noble - Probably should have been called up by England by now, it's unlikely he'll make the squad even if his form deserves it.

Saido Berahino - Called by England before, with West Brom rarely starting him he's not going to make the squad without a January move or a significant turn around.

Jermain Defoe - Still not retired from international duty, has scored goals for Sunderland, if Sam Allardyce can get even more goals out of him Hodgson might fancy a punt on him.

Aaron Cresswell - Another of West Ham's unrecognised talents, he's been one of the best left backs in the league for nearly two years now without England credit. Will he change Hodgson's mind in time for Euro 2016? Probably not.

Marc Albrighton - Arguably an underrated aspect of Leicester City's successes this season, Hodgson may fancy his pace in the squad. Seems very unlikely though.

Conclusions

It's most likely that Hodgson will stick with what got him to Euro 2016, with perhaps some of the young midfielders from Tottenham making the squad, Jamie Vardy in there and the slim possibility of Daniel Sturridge. Doesn't look fantastic though. Is there anybody you think probably does have an outside chance of making it that I didn't mention?

Roy is a tried & tested manager, if you've performed previously for him & gained the trust, then you've banked a slot in the squad. That's the difference between the WHU players & someone like Townsend, who was in the Spurs U-21's six months ago. Similar outcast positions, but Andros had previous, whereas Noble, Antonio & Cresswell types were untried & untested, something I will admit, should of happened during the embarrassing qualifying campaigns. The fact Townsend has scored the most international goals, out of the entire midfield we've selected, also shows that he was ready to perform at this level, above others.

Delph, Drinky & Rashford will be dropped. Drinky is an outcast with no previous, pure pressure from his Leicester connections, was the reason he made the 26.

I really don't like the fact Wilshire and Delph have got into the squad despite playing less than 10 games combined. Also feel bad for Cresswell, I really rate Antonio too as he's shown he can play in different positions.

My starting line up would be:

                                                                  Hart
Clyne                                 Smalling                                Cahill                     Rose
                                                                  Dier
                                       Rooney                                  Drinkwater (Could be Henderson or Wilshire)
                                                                   Ali
                                       Vardy                                    Kane

I'd like to see a diamond formation. Wouldn't mind seeing Ali and Rooney exchange the tip of the diamond position. As a LFC fan, I'd love to see Sturridge start but I guess both Vardy and Kane deserve to start over him.