What was the best rated England XI for the Euro 2016 qualifiers?
England avoided embarrassment in Lithuania on Tuesday night to ensure they qualified for Euro 2016 having won all 10 of their qualifiers, but of the 33 players used by Roy Hodgson, who made the best XI?
There is no surprise that Joe Hart is taking his place between the sticks, having started in nine of the 10 qualifiers. The Manchester City shot stopper was a merely a spectator throughout the process and finished the group stage with seven clean sheets. Jack Butland was given his chance to impress in England’s 3-0 win on Tuesday night, but there isn’t any expectancy that he will be first-choice when England travel to France next summer, although he is very much the heir to Hart’s No.1 jersey as it stands.
Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka partner one and other at the heart of Hodgson’s defence, although the emergence of Chris Smalling and John Stones could see that pairing broken up by the time England play their first match at Euro 2016. The full-back positions will remain a concern for Hodgson over the coming months, particularly on the left flank. Luke Shaw is expected to have recovered from his broken in leg in time, but there are no assurances that he can prove his form and fitness in time to warrant a starting berth. Injuries to Shaw and Leighton Baines have meant Hodgson has been forced to chop and change regularly, which gave Gibbs the change to make the most appearances on the left (4).
Jack Wilshere was arguably one of England’s best players before reoccurring injury problems curtailed his involvement in the qualification process. His WhoScored rating (7.52) could only be bettered by Ross Barkley, who emerged from the last two matches as England’s brightest player having played a direct hand in two of the five goals scored.
The debate surrounding Wayne Rooney’s position in the England XI is one that is likely to rumble on until Hodgson picks his first XI in France in less than 12 months time. The England captain overtook Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time goalscoring record during the qualifiers and finished as the top scorer for the Three Lions (7) during qualification and his WhoScored rating of (7.85) grants him a place as the lead striker.
Rooney is joined in England’s front three by Danny Welbeck and Raheem Sterling. Welbeck, 24, has thrived on England duty and finished the campaign as Hodgson’s highest rated player (8.48), having scored six goals in just five matches. Hodgson will now be hoping the Arsenal striker can overcome his long-term injury concerns to make the short trip to France next summer.
Which team should start England’s first match at Euro 2016 next summer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below?
