PLANE TO RIO
ON THE
Compiled by the V2 FOOTBALL PODCAST Team
GK's: JOE HART, FRASER FORSTER, BEN FOSTER - As is often the case for the national team choices in goal are few & far between. Hart is undoubtedly a must go given he is the countries leading keeper and has had a solid season for City. In Forster they have a back up who has been in a title winning Celtic side & has experienced top level football in the form of Champions League whilst Foster provides experience and has had top performances during a relegation battle plagued season with West Brom
CB's: GARY CAHILL, PHIL JAGIELKA, PHIL JONES, JOHN STONES - Cahill has been part of the best defence in the league this season, performing consistently alongside John Terry so no surprises he is included. Partnering him is likely to be Jagielka who has been as reliable as ever at Everton, given they have been paired together before at national level it would seem the ideal CB partnership come the the World Cup. Man Utd may not have had the best of years but Phil Jones has been one of the better performers for them; tough, physical and versatile he can cover the CB role as well as full back and midfield..an ideal back up then. John Stones is the surprise inclusion...although anyone who has seen Everton shouldn't be shocked. The youngster has come on leaps and bounds this season and his form as well as ability to play RB should see him included the squad.
FB's: GLEN JOHNSON, LEIGHTON BAINES, LUKE SHAW - Whilst at times lambasted for his lapses in concentration, Johnson has been at his very best for Liverpool this season. His attacking prowess adds dimension and he seems to have come on defensively as well. With a injury to Kyle Walker he is first choice RB with Jones/Stones providing cover. At left back it was a toss up between 3 players; Baines has been superb for Everton this season and his ability going forward as well as in dead ball situations makes him first choice...meanwhile Luke Shaw should go as back up. The youngster has been one of the young players of the year and is widely tipped to move to one of the big clubs in the summer. With Ashley Cole lacking playing time and approaching his twilight years why not take the chance to give Shaw some valuable experience on the biggest stage of all.
CM's: ROSS BARKLEY, STEVEN GERRARD, FRANK LAMPARD, JORDAN HENDERSON - On form their have been plenty of contenders to choose from for a midfield birth; Gareth Barry has had a solid season whilse Jack Wilshere could also be called upon should he be fit in time. However in the end we went with a blend of youth and experience. In Gerrard & Lampard you have countless years of experience at the very top. Both have the belief and desire to set a great example to the younger squad players while Gerrard has revelled in Liverpools best season in some years. Whilst Lampard may not be first choice his goal scoring prowess and ability to pull something out of the bag would be a valuable asset to call upon. Barkley is yet another stand out player for Everton who has played at a great & consistent level this season. Never one to shy away from a tackle and always giving 100%; qualities that some feel have been missing from the national side for a while. The last birth goes to Henderson; often criticised early on in
With the 2014 World Cup coming up this year, our very own V2 Football Podcast team chose the 23 man squad that they think should be on the plane to Brazil this year. Here I give my reasoning for the players selected and a possible starting eleven for the opening Group stage match against Italy.
in the last few years he seems to have matured and found his feet at Liverpool. He has struck up a great partnership alongside Gerrard and it's safe to say he has more than earned his place in the England squad
WIDE MID/WING: JAMES MILNER, RAHEEM STERLING, ALEX OXLADE CHAMBERLAIN, ADAM LALLANA -