England boss Roy Hodgson has announced his 23 man squad and 7 man standby list for the World Cup today. By en large, it has matched what many wanted, lots of young stars such as Raheem Sterling, Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley make the squad with veterans Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard both accompany them. We are going to look at the most controversial parts of the announcement, as well as who may start our first game in Brazil.

England Squad: -

Goalkeepers: Hart, Foster, Forster

Defenders: Baines, Cahill, Jagielka, Johnson, Jones, Shaw, Smalling

Midfielders: Barkley, Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Lampard, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sterling, Wilshere

Forwards: Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck, Lambert

Standby list: Ruddy, Flanagan, Stones, Carrick, Cleverley, Carroll, Defoe.

The Winners:

Liverpool

Liverpool have the most players represented in this squad, sending five Englishmen to Brazil, and its exceedingly tough to argue with any of the choices. Anyone putting Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling in the squad 12 months ago would have been laughed off of the internet, but the pair have put in plenty of top performances over the course of the season. The former will provide the physical energy in the centre to compliment Steven Gerrard, and their familiarity with each other’s playstyle is a huge, if underrated, bonus at international level.

The Young’uns

In philosophy at least, Roy has played this one perfectly. A revamp has been needed for a long time within the England set up, and Roy has set up a perfect transition into the next era of English international football.  Of course more established players such as Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain were bound to make the trip to Brazil, but taking risks on Shaw, Barkley and including John Stones on the standby list is a bold move that may well bring criticism in hindsight. However, this is exactly what England needed, and though there are some questionable decisions on an individual level, lets hope the media doesn’t get out their pitchforks too early if something doesn’t go to plan.

Ben Foster

After alienating himself from the national set up a couple of years back to focus on club football, Ben Foster has put in a number of top performances in an average West Brom side this term. Though perhaps only going as third choice, his inclusion is fully deserved and it’s nice to see stubbornness overcome in favour of the correct decision.

Rickie Lambert

On this day in 2009 Rickie Lambert scored a goal against Margate for Canvey Island in the Isthmian Premier League. Now, he has been called up to the England squad to play against the World’s finest in Brazil. Again, perhaps he will only be a bit part player after a stop and start season for Southampton, but his inspirational inclusion should see the dust of thousands of boots being cleaned off this weekend.

The Losers:

Gareth Barry

After a brilliant season at Everton, one could be completely forgiven for forgetting that he was only at Goodison because of his exile from Manchester City. The veteran became a suitable, if different, replacement for Fellaini and has slotted into Roberto Martinez’s fluid style seamlessly. He should feel very hard done by for not even making the standby list for what will most likely be his final shot at a World Cup outing. Hard luck Gaz.

Small club representation

Whilst an impressive Southampton have managed to place three players into the England squad, other teams have not been so lucky. Though we are overall quite pleased with the squad, one can criticise the over representation of Manchester United players. Jones and Smalling have both had indifferent seasons at best, and players such as Hull’s Curtis Davies will feel very hard done by to not get a look in. Perhaps even Ryan Shawcross could feel aggrieved for not being considered, as Mark Hughes has inspired a nicer brand of football at Stoke, seeing them finish in their highest ever Premier League position. Shawcross has adapted well, and at 26 years old, still has plenty of time to be considered at international level.

The Nation

Tom Cleverley won’t let his grip on that England shirt relent, and has somehow made the standby list. Let’s all pray to whichever God you want that Jack Wilshere makes it through the FA Cup final unscathed, so we don’t have to see that bastion of mediocrity with The Three Lions on his chest.

Ashley Cole and Kieran Gibbs

News broke last night that Ashley Cole wouldn’t be making the squad, paving the way for Luke Shaw to break into the England set up. The best left back in Premier League history, he has amassed a huge 107 caps for his country and will be sorely missed. Kieran Gibbs should also find himself somewhat displeased at his exception. He has had a breakout season at the Emirates this year, but finds himself in far and away the most competitive position in the England set up. If only he could use that right peg of his…

Howtobet4free’s Starting XI v Italy

The Defence

Hart responded well to being dropped earlier in the season by Manuel Pellegrini and has looked a reformed player since then. The rest of the back four is rather self explanatory. Hodgson stated in his press conference that Shaw was being brought along for experience purposes primarily, so Leighton Baines gets the nod. Phil Jagielka has had enough time to become fully match fit after his injury that kept him out of the Everton line up for a number of weeks.

The Midfield

Jack Wilshere is only just returning from injury and has had another season at Arsenal that has been plagued with inconsistency. Though his talent is undeniable, Jordan Henderson would most compliment Gerrard in the central role, so we see this pairing as the most likely. As exciting as it would be to see Sterling or Oxlade-Chamberlain in a wide position, we feel Roy will go with James Milner to provide the defensive security against the higher quality opponents.

The Attackers

21 Premier League goals, only behind Luis Suarez. Need we justify it more?

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