Team Preview – England
With the task ahead of them England will enter Brazil with possibly the lowest expectations in recent memory. Drawn against Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica the team face an uphill battle to reach the second round.
Manager: Roy Hodgson
The former Inter, Fulham, Liverpool and West Brom coach did well to guide the English through a difficult group at Euro 2012, but he faces an even more difficult task in Brazil. Whilst his teams have never been the most stylish and fun to watch, his pragmatic style has got results. However, doubts persist over whether he is the man to take England to the next level. One feels this tournament will be make or break for him.
Star Players
Steven Gerrard: Liverpool went from missing out on Champions League to verge of clinching the Premier League title over the last seasons, and one of the more influential players of their campaign was their heroic leader, Steven Gerrard. Outside of Luis Suarez, Gerrard was one of the driving forces behind Liverpool’s season, though it was a loss of traction that hurt his teams chance of glory. Gerrard is the kind of player who will bounce back from that stronger and the World Cup will be his stage. Look for some huge performances from him, especially against Italy and Uruguay.
Wayne Rooney: Ever since he burst into the public eye at age 16, Rooney has had the weight of a nation on his shoulders. It has been telling at times Apart from his debut tournament at Euro 2004, he’s performed below-par every summer. Whilst he may be on track to break the England scoring record before he turns 30, the truth is Rooney has yet to play at his best for the national team; just 4 of his 38 goals for The Three Lions have come against big name opposition (Holland, Argentina and Brazil). Undoubtedly blessed with world-class talent, it is time for Rooney to perform. His country’s hopes may just depend on it.
Who to look out for
Jack Wilshere: Wilshere is a very creative player and is exactly the difference that England need in their squad. The only question is how fit is he? Wilshere only played around an hours worth of football since breaking his foot in March. Regardless, if at his best, Wilshere can be a huge surprise packet.
Raheem Sterling: The mercurial winger had an excellent season with Liverpool, which catapulted him into world cup calculation. At just 19 years old he’s already pushing for a starting berth in Brazil; whether Hodgson will play him over the hard working Danny Wellbeck is the question. Most likely, he’ll be used off the bench late in the game and look to use his blistering pace to run at the tired defences.
Adam Lallana: Lallana is coming off a great season for Southampton, so much so that Liverpool are striving to secure his signature. With his pace and direct running combined with an exceptional ability in defence as well, Lallana is one that would be a very attractive alternative to the likes of Rooney and Welbeck against nations like Italy and Uruguay.
Daniel Sturridge: After a breakout season in which he averaged over two goals every three games for Liverpool, Sturridge has cemented his position as England’s most in form striker. If he can take his Premier League form into the world cup it may be just the difference in England qualifying for the second round or going home. Expect him to lead the line in Brazil, while Rooney playing slightly deeper; although he does offer an option out wide.
Ross Barkley: The 20 year old midfielder has had a season to remember with Everton scoring 6 goals and being compared to Paul Gascoigne his Everton manager, Roberto Martinez. English fans will have a sense of excitement with Barkley on the pitch as his fearlessness and level head are something England desire.
The draw: England must play in one of the tougher groups in the tournament. Having to play Italy first up, then going on to play Uruguay and Costa Rica.
Prediction:
Chris – It’s definitely going to be a tough group for England. With Italy, England and Uruguay in the one group means one of these teams who are capable of going deep into the tournament will be knocked out at the first hurdle. Unfortunately for them and their fans, I think it will be the English that are eliminated in the group stage.
Ben – The first game against Italy is crucial to how far England can go in Brazil. If they can snare a point or victory it will give them the confidence going into the match against Uruguay. Going unbeaten through the first two tough games will set them up nicely for the Costa Rica game which (on paper) they should easily win. If they can pick up points against Italy and Uruguay and escape a strong group, the quarter finals aren’t beyond them. But it’s a big if…
FTSAUS Facts:
- Luke Shaw at 18 is the third youngest player to be involved with England at World Cup level. Only Theo Walcott at seventeen in 2006 and Michael Owen at eighteen in 1998 were younger. Note Walcott did not play.
- Despite being a footballing powerhouse, England have only reached the semi-finals of the World Cup once; That appearance came on their own turf in 1966, after which they went on to beat Germany in the final at Wembley.
Previous World Cup best appearance: The aforementioned 1966 World Cup in England, where a Geoff Hurst hat-trick in the final saw them prevail 4-2 in extra time over West Germany.
Extra Time (anything you want to add): Despite the mountain of a challenge they face in their first two group games. England has a chance to restore faith in the national team after their dismal showing in South Africa. It won’t be easy, and this England squad may not be the most exciting, but they have a great opportunity to exorcise their demons. It all hinges on the opener against Italy.
There will be lot of eyes watching this England squad and its campaign. Their qualifying process did not go perfectly but England still managed to finish on top of the qualifying group.
