da bet esporte： Premier League fans usually let out an apathetic sigh when the domestic season makes way for an international break, but with EURO 2016 just around the corner, the current one offers real excitement and relevance in a distinctive change from the norm.
da bet nacional： Indeed, not only are the Netherlands and Germany heavyweight opponents who’ll provide some measure of England’s credentials for the coming tournament in France, but the Three Lions squad is the most competitive it’s been for years with not much to choose between a well-varied roster.
Indeed, only a few names are nailed on for the tournament and even those could suffer injuries before the end of the season, so every position has five or six players looking to edge out their counterparts for a place on the plane to France.
In some cases, the coming friendlies could prove the deciding factor in who Roy Hodgson selects for the European Championship, representing the players’ last chance to impress their gaffer before his 23-man squad is drawn up. With that in mind, here are FIVE England stars who need to impress Hodgson the most if they want a place at EURO 2016…
DANNY DRINKWATER
Let’s start with the obvious – Danny Drinkwater.
It’s been a phenomenal season for the hardworking midfielder, who has been a near ever-present member of Leicester City’s starting Xi amid their sensational rise to the Premier League’s summit.
But this is the former Manchester United youngster’s first ever call up for England at senior level and with just three months to go until the tournament kicks off, he’ll have to put in a sensational performance to guarantee a spot in Roy Hodgson’s plans.
The Three Lions gaffer is already privy to a vast array of options in the middle of the park, many of whom have limited international experience, so he’ll be reluctant to make room for another when younger alternatives are at his disposal.
Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott has featured regularly for England since his 2006 debut and is the second-most capped player in the current squad after Liverpool midfielder James Milner. He’s also been in decent knick for the Three Lions lately, notching up three goals in six outings during 2015, and offers versatility as a winger-forward blessed with blistering pace.
But it hasn’t been a great season for the Arsenal star at club level, scoring just four times in 22 outings despite spending a significant chunk of the season in his ‘favoured’ centre-forward role, and Roy Hodgson does have alternatives as he plans for the tournament in France.
Indeed, Gunners team-mate Danny Welbeck offers likewise positional flexibility and penetration, Raheem Sterling is a Hodgson favourite and one England’s most exciting youngsters and the Three Lions’ strike force is the strongest it’s been for well over a decade.
Walcott’s still in with a good chance of making it to the Euros for the aforementioned reasons, but failing to impress against the Netherlands and Germany could see it decline dramatically.
DANNY ROSE
Left-back is arguably the position where Roy Hodgson will face the toughest choice ahead of Euro 2016, with a host of home-grown No.3s impressing in the Premier League this season and not much to choose between them.
Indeed, Leighton Baines, Danny Rose, Ryan Bertrand, Aaron Cresswell, Kieran Gibbs and even Bournemouth’s Charlie Daniels are in with a shout, whilst the prodigious Luke Shaw – a Hodgson favourite – could well return from injury just in time for the tournament in France.
Many would argue Rose has performed the best this season, providing width and attacking threat for a Spurs side chasing the Premier League title.
But the 25-year-old is yet to make his debut for England – although he’s been called up to senior squads before – and that could well count against him with just a matter of months to go until the tournament and so many experienced counterparts also in the mix.
Likewise, although Rose has proved his quality going forward, he’s by no means the most balanced of full-backs. But a strong defensive performance in one of the coming friendlies, against two sides boasting considerable talent in attack, could propel him into Hodgson’s plans.
Nathaniel Clyne vs Kyle Walker
There will only be so many defensive slots in Hodgson’s squad for the Euros and a number of centre-halves have experience filling in at No.2, such as Chris Smalling and John Stones, so the chances are that he’ll only select one specialist right-back.
Nathaniel Clyne has been Roy Hodgson’s first choice in recent selections, with all of his nine England caps coming after the 2014 World Cup. But he’s not impacted at Liverpool as expected since signing from Southampton last summer and certainly won’t be entering Euro 2016 in his best form.
Kyle Walker, on the other hand, is enjoying a strong season with Tottenham Hotspur and although he’s picked up just 13 caps with England’s senior team, has been selected in a number of squads since his 2011 debut.
Consequentially, it’s a real tossup between the two as the tournament in France looms but both will get their chance to impress in the coming friendlies, likely issued a start each. Hodgson’s final selection could well depend on who makes shines the most.
ADAM LALLANA
Roy Hodgson’s clearly keen on Adam Lallana, issuing him 19 caps since his 2013 debut. His versatility adds tactical options to England’s squad and technical players of the Liverpool midfielder’s variety tend to perform well at international level.
But with so many prodigious talents bursting through and capable of performing similar roles, such as Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and Dele Alli, Hodgson may find Lallana somewhat besides the point as he draws up his 23-man squad for the Euros.
Likewise, despite his regular inclusions, it’s not as if the 27-year-old has made a huge mark on the Three Lions’ fortunes, yet to find the net and most commonly featuring as a substitute.
Hodgson clearly likes the playmaking ace in cameo roles but Lallana needs a performance in the coming friendlies to prove he’s still relevant to the England cause.