"?Kieron Dyer believes Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson were included in the England squad for Euro 2016 based on their reputation, with recent form being negated during the selection process.
Roy Hodgson controversially picked Wilshere and Henderson ahead of players such as Danny Drinkwater and Mark Noble, despite both having endured injury-plagued campaigns.
Dyer, who managed 33 appearances for his country after being handed his debut by Kevin Keegan in 1999, says whoever replaces Sam Allardyce should not be afraid to drop players if they are not showing the required form.
Kieron Dyer: "Bobby Robson tried to signed me for Barcelona but there was no chance I could go aged 17. I was a mummy's boy, couldn't cook"!
"I think the problem with England, even when I was playing and still today, is it's picked on reputation and not on form and it's got to be a brave manager who breaks that mould," Dyer told "?Goals on Sunday.
"You look at [Danny] Drinkwater and [Mark] Noble and everyone was saying they were the most in-form midfielders at the end of last season but didn't make the [Euro 2016] squad.
"Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson, who didn't play any football, made the squad because it is picked on reputation. It is a tough one for a manager because if you are a Wilshere or a Henderson playing to the best of your ability they're probably better than Drinkwater or Noble."
Kieron Dyer gets one of his best #NUFC goals (at Goodison Park) ?? https://t.co/kU0k7suQv7
Dyer said his own early introduction helped his international career and that it was shame England didn't develop more young players - hinting that early debuts can help players establish themselves and forge great careers.
"The Rios, the Rooneys, the Gerrards, they got thrown in at a young age and look at the careers they've had," he added.
"When you're qualifying for a World Cup can you take that chance? Jesse Lingard is playing for Man United and playing against the best teams in the Premier League who are probably better than some of the teams in our group for our country. So I don't think that is much of a gamble."