England's best Xi for Euro 2016

[fightfan95]

What do you think Englan's best starting 11 is for the Euro's (if everyone if fit of course)
This is mine:

Hart

Clyne
Stones
Cahill
Rose

Dier/Milner
Henderson

Sterling
Barkley/Ali
Sturridge/Vardy

Kane

[fightfan95]

Sorry for posting this in British & Irish - wouldn't let me post in Off Topic...

[Stuarty]

I'm a proud Scot but not an England hater. I'll try and watch all the home nations games I can and hopefully they do well. Vardy has more than done enough to earn his starting place before Sturridge. Good young side you have with plenty potential. It's an open tournament this. Can't pick an outright winner.

[fightfan95]

I'm a proud Scot but not an England hater. I'll try and watch all the home nations games I can and hopefully they do well. Vardy has more than done enough to earn his starting place before Sturridge. Good young side you have with plenty potential. It's an open tournament this. Can't pick an outright winner.

Yeah I think our team is starting to look good with the young players coming through, still don't think we're good enough to win it or come close - but you never know! I'm going for France to win it

[Loftgroov]

Bertrand over Rose*
Forster over Hart.

Otherwise agree with what you have.

*I'm surprised how playing in one friendly for England when they win somehow elevates you to first choice International selection.

[cocobongo]

Not an England fan at all but Baines is still best LB in country by a long long way!

[fightfan95]

Bertrand over Rose*
Forster over Hart.

Otherwise agree with what you have.

*I'm surprised how playing in one friendly for England when they win somehow elevates you to first choice International selection.

I based it on this season, I believe Rose has been playing better than Bertrand so far..

[Larrylefthook]

Lets face it Rooney will start ahead of Kane and will again fail when it matters in a main tournament.

[stujones]

Noble should have been in this squad, to test him at international level.

[higgs88]

Henderson shouldn't be near the squad, useless the bloke

Hart

Clyne Smalling Cahill Rose

Dier Barkley

Sturridge Alli Vardy

Kane

[danamba7]

Not an England fan at all but Baines is still best LB in country by a long long way!

Not this season. Rose, Bertrand and Cresswell have been better. Shaw also started very well up until his injury. At 31, no point in using Baines when we have a few younger, more in-form options.

[cocobongo]

Not an England fan at all but Baines is still best LB in country by a long long way!

Not this season. Rose, Bertrand and Cresswell have been better. Shaw also started very well up until his injury. At 31, no point in using Baines when we have a few younger, more in-form options.

He has been injured so hasn't really played but as we say in boxing if its about levels Baines is above all them!

I'm an Everton season ticket holder like! As much as Stones is a lovely footballer and he is he is quality on the ball if he starts for England in this tournament his defensive frailitys will be exposed massively! we have been starting Jagielka and Mori over him lately!

[danamba7]

Lets face it Rooney will start ahead of Kane and will again fail when it matters in a main tournament.

Even Hodgson wouldn't play Rooney over the prem's top scorer. Kane will start up top if fit and Woy will try and fit Rooney just behind him where Alli or Barkley should be or maybe even in a wider position where Welbeck, Vardy, Lallana and Sterling are better suited.

[expe]

Lets face it Rooney will start ahead of Kane and will again fail when it matters in a main tournament.

Even Hodgson wouldn't play Rooney over the prem's top scorer. Kane will start up top if fit and Woy will try and fit Rooney just behind him where Alli or Barkley should be or maybe even in a wider position where Welbeck, Vardy, Lallana and Sterling are better suited.

He will and he'll be absolutely right, just because Kane and Vardy have scored goals in the league doesn't mean that they're the best options we have. James Beattie, Andy Johnson and Kevin Phillips all scored 20+ goals in a league season, Andy Cole and Robbie Fowler banged them in for years, all five of them couldn't do it at international level. Proven quality over whoever happens to be in form every time for me.

[Larrylefthook]

Lets face it Rooney will start ahead of Kane and will again fail when it matters in a main tournament.

Even Hodgson wouldn't play Rooney over the prem's top scorer. Kane will start up top if fit and Woy will try and fit Rooney just behind him where Alli or Barkley should be or maybe even in a wider position where Welbeck, Vardy, Lallana and Sterling are better suited.

He will and he'll be absolutely right, just because Kane and Vardy have scored goals in the league doesn't mean that they're the best options we have. James Beattie, Andy Johnson and Kevin Phillips all scored 20+ goals in a league season, Andy Cole and Robbie Fowler banged them in for years, all five of them couldn't do it at international level. Proven quality over whoever happens to be in form every time for me.

When's Rooney proven it? In qualifiers and friendless, look at his record against the big teams and in major tournaments, he's just a flat track bully.

[Rob3_142]

Possibly one of the hardest questions for a long time. I can't remember the last time that so many positions could go to so many different players. I genuinely liked the look of the starting XI against Germany. Even when we were 2-0 down we were playing really well, pressing hard, getting in dangerous positions in the final third, but we just looked a little nervous in the crucial moments.

I think it's fair to say that the teams which have succeeded in the Premier League this season have adopted a high pressing style (Leicester, Spurs, Watford, West Ham), and I think we could really see the same success in the Euros if we press hard, and suffocate the creative opposition.

Joe Hart - the obvious experienced candidate who has still had a good season despite City's failures.

Clyne - one of the only other positions where I don't perceive any genuine competition.
Cahill - another experienced defender who's been a student of the best centre back of this generation
Smalling - had an excellent season with United, threat at set pieces, genuine pace, and carries the ball out of defence really well.
LEFT BACK - Currently no idea. Would naturally of had Shaw here, but I don't believe he'll recapture the necessary form in time. Rose had an excellent debut, and didn't look out of place. Baines has experience, but lacks pace for me, Bertrand has had a decent season with Southampton, but maybe lacks a bit of consistency. If I had to pick now, I'd go with Rose because he fit the profile really well, but try him thoroughly in the friendlies and take Baines in the squad.

Eric Dier - Had an excellent season, and plays that supporting role really well. Gives the defence security, while not looking out of place in midfield. Gives the other two midfielders freedom to bomb on.
Henderson - He's a work horse, has genuine quality, despite his immediate form. He brings goals, and creates. He's a leader on the pitch which you cannot underestimate.
Deli Ali - Arguably the best natural player in this team. Has such exquisite feet, great energy, and a youthful exuberance which just cannot be bought. He'll take chances, and the team will come good for it.

Kane - Natural goalscorer, work horse, and has an eye for goal like I have never seen. He will shoot from anywhere, which means defenders can't give him space, creating space for others. He is the only genuine number 9 for me, so HAS to start.
Sturridge - Another player like Ali with excellent natural ability. I'd like him to be given more of a free role, and allow to drift into pockets of space. Another with an eye for goal, and despite his injuries has had not lost his touch.
RIGHT FORWARD - Another position which has so many names on it. Again I'd like to see Wellbeck in there because he's another with energy, he's direct, a good scoring record for England, and he will commit defences. there's arguments for Sterling (poor end product and form), Lallana (another I like, but don't know if he has enough consistency and substance), Walcott (out of form), Rooney (out of form and unfit [and not that good]), Oxlaid-chamberlain (injured?).

The good thing is that whatever you do, you have SO many options on the bench. If it's not working with your front three, you can bring the likes of Vardy, Sterling, Rooney to change the dynamic of the game. In midfield, you can bring in the likes of Barkley who carry the ball well and commit the opposition stretching the game.

The big problem I worry about is if Hodgson goes safe. Opts for Rooney over Kane, or we see the likes of Ali on the bench. It's time to blood the youngsters. Exciting times ahead!

[Stuarty]

Even Hodgson wouldn't play Rooney over the prem's top scorer. Kane will start up top if fit and Woy will try and fit Rooney just behind him where Alli or Barkley should be or maybe even in a wider position where Welbeck, Vardy, Lallana and Sterling are better suited.

He will and he'll be absolutely right, just because Kane and Vardy have scored goals in the league doesn't mean that they're the best options we have. James Beattie, Andy Johnson and Kevin Phillips all scored 20+ goals in a league season, Andy Cole and Robbie Fowler banged them in for years, all five of them couldn't do it at international level. Proven quality over whoever happens to be in form every time for me.

When's Rooney proven it? In qualifiers and friendless, look at his record against the big teams and in major tournaments, he's just a flat track bully.

And he's got a face like an angry cabbage....

[Rob3_142]

Lets face it Rooney will start ahead of Kane and will again fail when it matters in a main tournament.

Even Hodgson wouldn't play Rooney over the prem's top scorer. Kane will start up top if fit and Woy will try and fit Rooney just behind him where Alli or Barkley should be or maybe even in a wider position where Welbeck, Vardy, Lallana and Sterling are better suited.

He will and he'll be absolutely right, just because Kane and Vardy have scored goals in the league doesn't mean that they're the best options we have. James Beattie, Andy Johnson and Kevin Phillips all scored 20+ goals in a league season, Andy Cole and Robbie Fowler banged them in for years, all five of them couldn't do it at international level. Proven quality over whoever happens to be in form every time for me.

Rooney's record is embarrassingly padded. Winning free-kicks against Estonia and penalties against San Marino. He was plain awful at the World Cup, missed so many massive chances. Kane has not only just shown goalscoring at the highest level, he's also shown exactly what he can do at international level. Rooney should be on the bench or not in the squad at all. His form for club and country for the last 2-3 seasons has been bang average. I'm just gutted that he'll be top scorer for England United for years to come. People won't remember how bad he's been also.

[BigSexy]

If everyone is fit...

Hart

Clyne - Stones - Cahill - Rose

Dier

Henderson - Barkley

Alli

Kane - Vardy

[expe]

Even Hodgson wouldn't play Rooney over the prem's top scorer. Kane will start up top if fit and Woy will try and fit Rooney just behind him where Alli or Barkley should be or maybe even in a wider position where Welbeck, Vardy, Lallana and Sterling are better suited.

He will and he'll be absolutely right, just because Kane and Vardy have scored goals in the league doesn't mean that they're the best options we have. James Beattie, Andy Johnson and Kevin Phillips all scored 20+ goals in a league season, Andy Cole and Robbie Fowler banged them in for years, all five of them couldn't do it at international level. Proven quality over whoever happens to be in form every time for me.

When's Rooney proven it? In qualifiers and friendless, look at his record against the big teams and in major tournaments, he's just a flat track bully.

Only Alan Shearer has scored more goals in tournaments for England than Rooney, he's level with Lineker in second place. Charlton, Lineker, Greaves and Owen all scored goals against some very average opposition, no one scores 40+ international goals solely against the top sides in the world, yet no one mentions it about them.

[expe]

Even Hodgson wouldn't play Rooney over the prem's top scorer. Kane will start up top if fit and Woy will try and fit Rooney just behind him where Alli or Barkley should be or maybe even in a wider position where Welbeck, Vardy, Lallana and Sterling are better suited.

He will and he'll be absolutely right, just because Kane and Vardy have scored goals in the league doesn't mean that they're the best options we have. James Beattie, Andy Johnson and Kevin Phillips all scored 20+ goals in a league season, Andy Cole and Robbie Fowler banged them in for years, all five of them couldn't do it at international level. Proven quality over whoever happens to be in form every time for me.

Rooney's record is embarrassingly padded. Winning free-kicks against Estonia and penalties against San Marino. He was plain awful at the World Cup, missed so many massive chances. Kane has not only just shown goalscoring at the highest level, he's also shown exactly what he can do at international level. Rooney should be on the bench or not in the squad at all. His form for club and country for the last 2-3 seasons has been bang average. I'm just gutted that he'll be top scorer for England United for years to come. People won't remember how bad he's been also.

Kane's scored against Lithuania, San Marino, Switzerland and in a friendly against a German side that's been well below par since they won the World Cup, nothing wrong with that, but it's exactly what you're accusing Rooney, who has 22 goals in his last 32 games for England, of doing.

[Rob3_142]

He will and he'll be absolutely right, just because Kane and Vardy have scored goals in the league doesn't mean that they're the best options we have. James Beattie, Andy Johnson and Kevin Phillips all scored 20+ goals in a league season, Andy Cole and Robbie Fowler banged them in for years, all five of them couldn't do it at international level. Proven quality over whoever happens to be in form every time for me.

Rooney's record is embarrassingly padded. Winning free-kicks against Estonia and penalties against San Marino. He was plain awful at the World Cup, missed so many massive chances. Kane has not only just shown goalscoring at the highest level, he's also shown exactly what he can do at international level. Rooney should be on the bench or not in the squad at all. His form for club and country for the last 2-3 seasons has been bang average. I'm just gutted that he'll be top scorer for England United for years to come. People won't remember how bad he's been also.

Kane's scored against Lithuania, San Marino, Switzerland and in a friendly against a German side that's been well below par since they won the World Cup, nothing wrong with that, but it's exactly what you're accusing Rooney, who has 22 goals in his last 32 games for England, of doing.

how many of them Rooney goals are from open play?

And of Rooney's 51 goals, 6 have been in tournaments (only 1 in the World Cup). Lineker was golden boot in the 1986 World Cup.

[Larrylefthook]

He will and he'll be absolutely right, just because Kane and Vardy have scored goals in the league doesn't mean that they're the best options we have. James Beattie, Andy Johnson and Kevin Phillips all scored 20+ goals in a league season, Andy Cole and Robbie Fowler banged them in for years, all five of them couldn't do it at international level. Proven quality over whoever happens to be in form every time for me.

When's Rooney proven it? In qualifiers and friendless, look at his record against the big teams and in major tournaments, he's just a flat track bully.

Only Alan Shearer has scored more goals in tournaments for England than Rooney, he's level with Lineker in second place. Charlton, Lineker, Greaves and Owen all scored goals against some very average opposition, no one scores 40+ international goals solely against the top sides in the world, yet no one mentions it about them.

How many goals does he have in tournament finals? 2?

[expe]

When's Rooney proven it? In qualifiers and friendless, look at his record against the big teams and in major tournaments, he's just a flat track bully.

Only Alan Shearer has scored more goals in tournaments for England than Rooney, he's level with Lineker in second place. Charlton, Lineker, Greaves and Owen all scored goals against some very average opposition, no one scores 40+ international goals solely against the top sides in the world, yet no one mentions it about them.

How many goals does he have in tournament finals? 2?

9 for Shearer, 6 apiece for Rooney and Lineker.

[danamba7]

We finally need to realize that the best players don't always make the best team.

E.g. Barkley is better than Henderson but does he fit into the system we want to play if Alli gets the nod at 10?

We need a balance of graft and craft which is why players like Welbeck and Henderson can be so useful (they're not all graft anyway, they've got a bit about them).

1.Hart

2.Clyne
5.Stones
6.Smalling
3.Rose/Bertrand

4.Dier
8.Henderson/Drinkwater

7.Vardy
10.Alli
11.Welbeck

9.Kane

Pace, energy, goals, a solid screen for the back 4 and good options to make something happen of the bench (Barkley, Sturridge, Lallana, Sterling).