England kick off their 2014 World Cup campaign against Italy in Manaus on Saturday and boss Roy Hodgson has already declared to the media that he knows his starting eleven for the fixture. Within the 23 man roster he has taken to Brazil, there are players old and new, but which are the most integral to England’s success or failure this summer?
Steven Gerrard
Let’s start with the most obvious selection; the skipper. Gerrard has been the driving force within England’s midfield in over 100 games now, but he shows no signs of slowing down as the team prepare for what may be their most sweltering World Cup competition yet. Not only is he a class act, but his experience, composure and leadership will prove vital to the younger players in the England camp as they look to progress from the intensely tough group consisting of Uruguay, Italy and Costa Rica.
His odds of leaving Brazil as England’s top scorer are far from substantial, given he is considered one of England’s major goal threats and has been known to unleash devastating drives from long range in the past. His odds of 10/1 with Bet365 are particularly appealing, given he has already scored three goals in World Cup finals to date.
Wayne Rooney
Now considered one of the old guard by many pundits and experts, Rooney has a job on his hands to ensure he puts in some good performances in the heat of Brazil this summer. Often criticised for his lack of contribution at international level tournaments, he is running out of time to prove his doubters wrong and single-handedly take charge of an England-cup campaign. Rooney is the favourite to leave Brazil as England’s top scorer, at a price of 11/4 with Bet365, but fans are beginning to ask for a lot more than just goals from the 28 year-old.
Ross Barkley
While Barkley’s inclusion on this list may seem premature given the success of Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana and Leighton Baines this year, but the 20 year-old consistently matches the hype. Having offered Roy Hodgson a selection headache with his impressive performances in England’s World Cup warm-up friendlies, Barkley is now being highly touted as the man key to England’s success this year, and why not?
His youthful and exuberant approach to the game adds a much needed breath of fresh air to the England side and when he has played in midfield alongside Jack Wilshere and Adam Lallana, the trio showed that the golden age of English football is arguably still to come.
Although Barkley is unlikely to start against Italy at the weekend, given Roy Hodgson’s consistent playing down of his talents, expect him to make several notable substitute appearance, at the least and he will no doubt prove to the squad and everyone back home, that he is every bit worth the risk.
