If you are to believe the reports in the English press this morning (source Daily Mirror) then above is the starting eleven for England’s opening Euro 2016 encounter against Russia.
The big headline from this is that there is no Jamie Vardy or James Milner with Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling being picked instead. While the diamond experiment from the Portugal friendly looks set to be scrapped
With a change of shape from that win at Wembley it means that Dele Alli will be in a more effective position just off the sole striker which is his club team mate Harry Kane
Once again the side has very Tottenham feel to it with all 5 of the squad members from the North London club looking set to start and more importantly starting in their preferred positions
It seems as if Hodgson has seen sense and opted to not try and shoehorn players into a system that doesn’t necessarily suit their key strengths
The big loser in all this will be Jamie Vardy. After scoring 24 goals in the Premier League last season it would have been very easy to try and shoehorn him into the side in one of the wide positions but that wouldn’t be playing to his particular strengths
Regardless of how the game is going you would imagine that Vardy will be the first sub to come on. Be it to try and protect the lead by going two up top and hitting Russia on the counter attack or to be an impact sub if England aren’t ahead the role of Vardy as supersub will be a very important weapon
Questions will once again be asked as to where exactly Wayne Rooney will fit in this England side. With him playing off Kane then there is no reason he shouldn’t excel and more importantly be able to chip in with a goal like he did in the win against Australia a fortnight ago
At Centre Back Gary Cahill is selected ahead of John Stones to partner Chris Smalling, that’s no real surprise but the main concern here will be hoping that these two don’t pick up injury or suspension
The first game is just around the corner now, Saturday night can’t come soon enough. Wherever you watch it then have a good one