Worldwide Soccer: Picking the Great Britain Squad for the 2012 London Olympics

Now that 2012 has arrived, the Olympics are starting to emerge more and more in the thoughts of those whose brains are sports inclined and even those whose are not. Soccer fans generally don't cast their thoughts towards the Olympics too much, especially not in England, Scotland Wales or Northern Ireland.

However, with the Olympics in London this year, the opportunity is there for Great Britain to enter a team in the soccer tournament. Being that England is the home of the game, this will be a huge honor for all involved.

At least for those who are lucky enough to be picked. Here are my early selections for the Great Britain squad for the 2012 Olympics:

Rules

• Three Goalkeepers must be included in each squad provisional squad.
• The final squad consists of 18 players with four alternates also listed who can be called up in case of injury.
• Players must be eligible to play for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England.
• Players must be born after January 1st 1989 to be eligible for selection.
• Three players born after January 1st 1989 may be included in the squad.

Goalkeepers

Joe Hart, Manchester City *
Ben Amos, Manchester United
James Shea, Arsenal+

Joe Hart was the first player that came to mind as one of the squad's three allowed over-age players. Hart is barely over-age, at 24, but his experience earned leading Manchester City from the back will make him invaluable between the posts for Great Britain.

Despite being so young, Hart's marshaling of the City defense has been impressive. The greatest thing a coach can ask for when working with a youthful defense is a leader behind them that will constantly be talking and keeping them disciplined. Hart will do that expertly.

Amos and Shea have been impressive for the reserve teams of their respective clubs. Without much opportunities to prove themselves at the top level, Hart also fills a need and takes the pressure off the youngsters in a vital position on the field.

Defenders

Phil Jones, Manchester United
Chris Smalling, Manchester United
Kyle Walker, Tottenham
Martin Kelly, Liverpool
Danny Rose, Tottenham
Chris Gunter, Nottingham Forest+
Danny Wilson, Liverpool

The left back position was somewhat of a problem initially, with no obvious starter in place. Kieran Gibbs could have been called up, but I doubt Arsene Wenger will allow one of his more fragile players to play in this tournament.

Instead, I looked to create competition between a few players opposed to using another over-age option. Danny Wilson, Danny Rose and Martin Kelly are all not left backs by trade, but all have experience playing the position in the Premiership. Rose's versatility extends into midfield, while Wilson is primarily a center back, but has played left back for Scotland's senior side.

Of the three, Martin Kelly would enter the tournament as the favorite to start at left back. He has played the position very sparingly for Liverpool, but is the most natural fullback of the three despite also being built primarily to play center back.

Because of Kelly and Wilson's ability to play center back, they would also be the backups for Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, who would be a dominant pairing at center half in this tournament. With Jones and Smalling inside, Kyle Walker rounds out a very strong looking defense.

Bringing Chris Gunter, who can play both left and right back, rounds out a deep and talented defensive group.

Midfielders

Gareth Bale, Tottenham
Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal
Jonjo Shelvey, Liverpool+
Jordan Henderson, Liverpool
Theo Walcott, Arsenal
Jack Rodwell, Everton
Fabian Delph, Aston Villa
Scott Sinclair, Swansea City
David Beckham, LA Galaxy*

Jack Rodwell and Fabian Delph's experience in the Premier League allow them to edge out Josh McEchran as the two holding players in the squad. From there, Aaron Ramsey, Jonjo Shelvey and Jordan Henderson give the team a trio of players who like to have the ball at their feet and link up play.

What will really set this Great Britain team apart from others in this tournament is their pace on the wings.

Gareth Bale is a no-brainer, as is Theo Walcott, but they aren't even guaranteed starters if Scott Sinclair continues to excel for Swansea. Sinclair is listed as a midfielder because of his ability to play on the wing, but he could also be used up front if necessary.

David Beckham has been included in the squad, but whether he actually gets on the field is another thing. Beckham could play in the center or out wide, but his greatest value to this team would be his leadership and experience. He has also shown great passion for the Olympics during the build-up to the tournament, so I expect him to be the driving force that will create the desire amongst the other players.

That is a role that Beckham could potentially fulfill as part of the coaching staff. Without him in the squad, Alex Chamberlain could travel with the team.

Depending on how much development Chamberlain can do between now and the London games, he could also be considered for a starting role. Chamberlain's flashes have been mouthwatering. He is not just a speedster, as he possesses great quality on the ball with both feet, as well as an understanding of the game.

The midfield will be critical for this squad, as it provides the diversity and depth to either play a 4-5-1 formation, or the more traditional 4-4-2.

Forwards

Danny Welbeck, Manchester United
Daniel Sturridge, Chelsea
Jordan Rhodes, Huddersfield Town+

Danny Welbeck is an outstanding football player for Manchester United, who looks set to become a pivotal part of United's team over the next decade or so. Welbeck's versatility as an attacker allows him to play off another striker or lead the line himself. In this squad, he will be asked to be the main threat leading the line.

The competition for places is fierce. The quality of Daniel Sturridge and that left foot could see Welbeck play off the striker or even drop to the bench. Either of these players can feel hard done by when they are on the bench at Chelsea or Manchester United; the fact that they aren't even guaranteed a start on an underage team is crazy.

Jordan Rhodes may only be playing in League One, but his ability to put the ball in the back of the net is ludicrous. Rhodes' record this season is phenomenal, and it doesn't look like it's slowing down anytime soon. He has scored three hat tricks, scored four twice and five once in games this season. He will probably be with a Premiership team by the time the Olympics come around.

Because of Scott Sinclair and Theo Walcott's ability to play upfront, Rhodes will be an alternate with only Sturridge and Welbeck traveling as strikers.

*Denotes overage inclusion.
+Denotes one of four alternates

The most glaring omission from this squad is quite obviously Arsenal's Jack Wilshere. I very much doubt that Wilshere will go to the Olympics after missing so much of this season through injury. The less strain on his body ahead of next season the better for both player, club and country (England, not GB).

On a similar note, I have chosen to leave Tom Cleverley out of the squad, as I would think Alex Ferguson will not want any of his players, especially the youngsters, playing in the Olympics. Unless Cleverley returns from injury soon and proves himself to be 100 percent fit before the end of this season, I can't see him playing in the Olympics.

There is no doubt that Stuart Pierce has an unbelievable amount of talent to choose from entering this Olympic year. With four footballing nations all contributing to his pool of players, that should come as no surprise.

With the likes of Josh McEchran and Alex Chamberlain not even making the squad and proven players like Wilshere, Gibbs and Cleverley also missing out, Pierce is very fortunate to be in the position he is in. It's a big reason why I didn't feel the need to use all three age exceptions.

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