Today is the day of reckoning for England's finest footballers as manager Roy Hodgson selects his squad for the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. Since we all secretly dream of being the England boss from time to time, I thought I'd have a crack at choosing a team of my own, and decide who Roy SHOULD take to Rio.
Goalkeepers
Joe Hart (Man City) Joe has come under fire over the course of City's eventual successful campaign, but few could deny that he is still the best that England has to offer between the sticks. Anyone who saw his performance at Goodison last week would agree. A dead cert.
Ben Foster (West Brom) Foster is no longer the young, hesitant, error-prone player he was at Manchester United, and has taken up a commanding role as the Baggies' No. 1, with mistakes few and far between these days. Deserves a chance.
Fraser Forster (Celtic) Forster has taken the relatively brave step of making a career in Scotland, but it has paid dividends. Excellent displays in Europe over the last few years have caught the eye of the England manager, in a season which he almost broke the all-time clean sheet record. A relentless worker.
Defenders
Glen Johnson (Liverpool) Not just because there does not seem to be anybody else, but Johnson is now a vastly-experienced professional and brings a comforting stability towards England's right-back role. An easy pick.
Kyle Walker (Spurs) As for the back-up right-back, Walker would surely just be making up the numbers anyway. But at the time of writing, it seemed that Walker had not been chosen. This suggests Roy may plump for Liverpool's Jon Flanagan, who I do like, but didn't think he was ready. Talent overrides experience.
Gary Cahill (Chelsea) The most consistent defender in this season's Premier League (apart from Laurent Koscielny). Of course, playing with John Terry and Chelsea helps, but that is why he plays for them. Will be vital as to our chances.
Phil Jagielka (Everton) Obviously, this should be John Terry, but it is out of Roy's control that he does not have him at his disposal. But Everton have had an awesome season, and you wonder where they would have ended up with "Jags" at the back all year long. Now he's fit and raring to go.
Phil Jones (Man Utd) Don't laugh, but I do honestly believe that Jones has to something to offer (if need be) for England at the World Cup. I am sure he will grow into a solid player in time, and this tournament will help him reach the heights his club and country expect of him.
Chris Smalling (Man Utd) Er, more or less the same as Jones, just with less conviction. Got caps under his belt. No point flinging someone else into action if injuries take a hit.
Leighton Baines (Everton) Baines has yet again had a wonderful season at club level which has finally propelled him to the No. 1 left-back spot after mainstay Ashley Cole was exiled by Jose Mourinho somewhat. Got an assist the night we made it to Brazil; the man's crosses are angelic. That is all.
Ashley Cole (Chelsea) My head said Luke Shaw, but my gut was telling me Ashley Cole. Meanwhile, my heart was shouting "KIERAN GIBBS! KIERAN GIBBS!". Alas, poor Kieran has seemingly not had a sniff, but you have to go for experience at a time like this. Let Shaw grow a little more as a player before chucking him in at the international deep end. Don't think Hodgson has channelled into my inner thoughts, however, with Cole's England career now at an end.
Midfielders
James Milner (Man City) James Milner has been transformed into a very underrated player, for me. Playing for City doesn't exactly help his cause, but I still remember his awesome display at the Allianz against what is basically a Germany/Spain hybrid. Got lots to give.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) Not a starter just yet, but a great impact player for England. Electric pace will be missed with Theo Walcott's absence, but this guy is barely 20 and still already warrants a place in the squad in my eyes. Win or lose, a bright future ahead beckons.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) You know what they say, every good ship needs a good captain. And this is a good captain. Just as long as Liverpool's failed title bid won't have him too down in the dumps ahead of his last World Cup, Steven Gerrard will be England's beating heart. In without a doubt.
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) Provided Tom Huddlestone does not destroy him at next week's Cup Final, a fully-fit Jack Wilshere must start for England in the middle of the park. Considering what he did to Brazil last year, and how he has relatively improved from the last 12 months, he surely cannot be robbed of a starting place at the very least. Should start packing.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea) Okay, now we're just starting to get a little controversial, but I think Frank should go. This a time for experienced heads given our tricky group and potential path to glory, but as long as Roy is thinking about winning it, the experience and class of Lampard should go with him.
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Calm down, these are the back-up centre-mids, remember? But Henderson is another one of those, like Milner that, especially English fans, "like to hate", when really he isn't too shabby on the football pitch and deserves a place for a very decent season indeed.
Adam Lallana (Southampton) If there is one player I really, really hope that starts in Brazil, it is this fella. The guy just exudes brilliance - from his skills, to his facial hair. Coming up from the lower leagues is one thing, but bursting on to the England scene like he has has been a joy to watch. His big break awaits.
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) I would not have chosen him at the start of the year, but his form and his career seems to be exploding into life as we speak. He has come on in droves since the start of the campaign and has worked his socks off. Can be extremely useful for England, and offers what a lot of others cannot.
Forwards
Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) I am not sure even he would have expected such a stellar season at Liverpool, especially considering he plays with Luis Suarez every game. But in scoring over 20 goals this year, he has shown what a confident and clinical finisher he is, and is just starting to show it for England.
Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) Wayne Rooney still has something to prove for England on the big stage. His third World Cup will be the one he looks to finally break his duck, with no goals in nine games since 2006. Hodgson will undoubtedly give him every chance, and I think he will take it.
Danny Welbeck (Man Utd) Danny Welbeck is very much a hot-and-cold player. Man of the match one week, a complete no-show the next. But I feel like the World Cup is a stage that Welbeck will thrive upon. Whether that is good news for England, we will have to wait and see, but certainly offers some promise on his day.
Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC) I will not have any complaints if Rickie Lambert pips him to the final forward spot, but the way I see it, if you are going to use your back-up strikers, you will want goals. Give Defoe a chance, and he will probably score it. Continuing his goalscoring form in the MLS could prove vital for England - you just never know.
On Standby
GK: John Ruddy (Norwich) The only reason Norwich took so long to go down. Looks like he hasn't made the cut.
LB: Luke Shaw (Southampton) "WHAT ABOUT KIERAN GIBBS!?" Sorry Gooners, but thinking realistically, Shaw has pipped Kieran this year, but I know who I'd rather have.
CB: Steven Caulker (Cardiff) Again, the only reason Cardiff were not relegated by April.
CM: Gareth Barry (Everton) A revelation for the Toffees, but Roy more likely to favour younger blood.
CM: Ross Barkley (Everton) Being hyped up a la Wilshere? Played well, but not THAT well.
CM: Michael Carrick (Man Utd) Not been at his best this year, but knows what he's doing.
ST: Rickie Lambert (Southampton) Good finisher, takes a mean penalty. No arguments should he make it. Went with my gut.
Well, there you have it. Time to find out what kind of managerial nous I possess. Don't think I've missed anyone out on there too glaring, not too many surprises either. Hope you enjoyed reading my picks, but do feel free to berate me on Twitter if I have made any judgmental errors.
Come On England!
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