Following the Form: Solving Hodgson's England Selection Dilemmas for Him

Published on: 12 May 2016

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"?It's going to be a tough weekend for Roy Hodgson. While he hopes and prays no key players get injured in the final weekend of Premier League action, announcing his squad for Euro 2016 on Monday is only the beginning.


The reality is that England do not have anything approaching a settled side going into the tournament. Plans "?already disrupted by injury, Hodgson must now make some very tough decisions as to who he should name on his team sheet when his players start their campaign on June 11th.


There are of course three friendlies against Turkey, Australia and Portugal to help him refine his team selection. But some of the toughest decisions he has to make will simply not be based on a large sample of international form.


So what if Hodgson made some of these tough decisions based on club form? Who would get the nod to start against Russia at the Stade Velodrome?





Let's take a look at those contentious positions in the England team:


Central Defence

With Phil Jagielka not yet back from injury, and Gary Cahill failing to show his best form in a struggling Chelsea side this season, many are asking who should partner England's in-form centre-back Chris Smalling.


It would seem that until Jagielka can prove his fitness the choice is between Stones and Cahill. So who has had the better season?


Cahill edges it, and his experience could prove vital at the Championships. If Jagielka can prove he is back to his best he may still have a role to play.


Central Defence: Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill


Right-back

It used to be a case of which Neville brother to pick. Joking aside, England have struggled to identify a solid right-back keen to make the position their own in recent years. Glen Johnson did the job for some time but often failed to impress.


Things have now changed though, and in Nathaniel Clyne and Kyle Walker we have two very decent players aiming to claim the shirt this summer.


So what does club form tell us when we're looking to pick between the duo?


Clyne has been a solid performer for Liverpool this season and deserves to be picked based on club form. 


Right-back: Nathaniel Clyne


Central midfield

With hardly any games under his belt this season for Arsenal it's very difficult to tell you much about Jack Wilshire's form, "?and whether he should be selected over Eric Dier.


We can however analyse the comparative form of two of England's most exciting creative midfielders. There seems likely to only be space in the side for either Dele Alli or Ross Barkley. So which of these midfield starlets should make the team?


Despite a tough season at The Toffees Barkley has struck slightly more goals and probably deserves to start - especially in light of the fact he has more international experience. But it is a close call.


Central midfield: Ross Barkley


Forwards

Jamie Vardy has enjoyed a quite remarkable season at Leicester - in which he's been "?compared to some of the world's best strikers -  and is in sensational scoring from.


Harry Kane looks certain to start for England, but if Hodgson were to adopt two up-front could he look beyond talisman and captain Wayne Rooney?


It seems unlikely, but if the decision was made on the basis of this season's form you 'd have to involve Vardy at some point - and it would be reasonable to expect that Rooney would make way.


Regardless of what happens when Hodgson is picking the team, Vardy is a shoe-in to make it to the tournament. Should he be starting though?


Second striker: Jamie Vardy


(Graphics courtesy of "?KickOff)



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