England Euro 2012 Roster: Analyzing Team's Starting 11 and More

The breaking news this Wednesday, aside from Kenny Dalglish’s exit from Liverpool, is England coach Roy Hodgson’s announcement of his squad of 23 for the European Championships this summer.

To recap, here’s the full list of players who will be on the plane to Poland and Ukraine:

Goalkeepers

Joe Hart (Manchester City), Robert Green (West Ham), John Ruddy (Norwich)

Defenders

Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton)

Midfielders

Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Man City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Man Utd), James Milner (Man City)

5/31: Frank Lampard has been ruled out of Euro 2012 with a thigh injury. He has been replaced by Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson.

Forwards

Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Danny Welbeck (Man Utd), Andy Carroll (Liverpool)

Never mind the debate on who should have been included—the list is final, and the talk should be on choosing the right personnel to take to the field this summer.

Here I present my ideal starting XI for England this summer from Roy Hodgson’s pool, in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and different substitute options for different scenarios—and, as usual, feel free to have your say in the comments below.

GK: Joe Hart

Easily the first name on the England teamsheet, Joe Hart has made the No. 1 position his own.

There should be no debate whatsoever on his inclusion in the starting XI, given his stellar performances in Manchester City’s title-winning season.

RB: Glen Johnson

Given that Tottenham’s Kyle Walker misses out through injury and that Manchester City’s Micah Richards wasn’t included altogether, Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson should walk into Roy Hodgson’s first team.

Impressive going forward and massively improved in his defensive game, Johnson has the added benefit of having worked with Hodgson personally in the latter’s six-month stint at Anfield.

LB: Ashley Cole

So far, so good: Another name that will walk into the starting XI.

Ashley Cole remains England’s premier left-back, and so will comfortably retain his place in the side, knowing that he has a more-than-capable understudy in the form of Everton’s Leighton Baines.

Baines should get a run-out in the pre-tournament friendlies, but Cole’s experience will earn him the nod in the tournament proper.

CB: John Terry

Here comes the first debate-worthy pick: Chelsea captain John Terry at center-back.

Even setting aside the off-field controversies, Terry has endured a difficult season, with some typically commanding performances punctuated by some alarming errors.

His performance at Anfield in the penultimate Premier League game of the season, where his slip let in Jordan Henderson and where he was dominated by an in-form Andy Carroll all afternoon, did not make for comfortable viewing.

Yet, as one of England’s most vocal leaders on the pitch, he retains his place as a starting central defender, simply because his aerial ability is still quite impressive against continental opponents, and because he is one of England’s few goal-scoring defenders.

His experience in big European games and tournaments sees him above club teammate Gary Cahill in the pecking order, probably for the last time.

CB: Joleon Lescott

Beside John Terry should be Manchester City’s Joleon Lescott, who will have enjoyed a full season of playing alongside a rugged, hard-tackling central defender in City’s very own Vincent Kompany.

A season of improvement has seen Lescott develop his reading of the game, while his positional play, pace and aerial ability has contributed to City’s league-best defensive record.

In the absence of any other experienced central defenders, Lescott should be looking to replicate his City form in an England shirt this summer.

DM: Scott Parker

In front of the defence, Tottenham’s Scott Parker should be a shoo-in, provided that his fitness permits.

Hodgson’s predecessor, caretaker Stuart Pearce, saw enough from Parker’s performances this season to name him as stand-in England captain, and his leadership and hard work will set the tone for a committed England performance, hopefully throughout the whole team.

His tackling, positioning and tracking back will also be of immense importance in helping out a central defensive partnership that is prone to the odd error and lapse in concentration.

DM: Gareth Barry

Alongside him in the defensive midfield position is City’s Gareth Barry, who has enjoyed a quietly impressive campaign at the Etihad Stadium.

While neither Parker nor Barry possess a world-class passing game or the box-to-box ability of a rampaging Yaya Toure, their efficient use of the ball and effective possession play will provide the springboard for many an England attack to be carried out by the three attacking midfielders in front of them.

But they will hope that their attack-minded colleagues will be able to provide the goals that they can’t.

RM: Theo Walcott

Once again, it’s been an inconsistent season for Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, but on his day, he can prove a handful for even the best defences in Europe.

His pace will always pose a sizeable threat to any defender, while he has improved his finishing this season as well.

He might still need to develop a better understanding with his colleagues on the pitch and to learn to pick the right pass, but his mere presence will occupy the attentions of any opposing defence, and his direct running through the center or on the right flank will open up space for other players to exploit.

LM: Ashley Young

Sure, Manchester United’s Ashley Young has attracted all sorts of criticism (even from his own manager, Sir Alex Ferguson) on his tendency to go to ground this season.

But he remains England’s best option on the wing, capable of delivering a teasing cross and of scoring spectacular goals.

His pace, dribbling and creativity will be key to England’s attack, and he, just like his colleague on the opposite flank, will attract plenty of attention from his opponents.

CM: Steven Gerrard

Gone are the days where Steven Gerrard was one of the best midfielders in all of Europe.

But even as he has aged and declined, he still packs a punch from long-range shots, is still capable of a defence-splitting pass, is still committed to track back and make a timely tackle, is still a fantastic close-range finisher, and still can deliver a telling cross.

His acute understanding of space between the midfield and forward lines makes him hard for any defender to track, and with Walcott and Young creating lots of space for Gerrard to run into, the Liverpool captain will look to punish teams as he has done so effectively throughout the years.

And that energy and pace is exactly why Gerrard comes into the team at the expense of the evergreen Frank Lampard.

ST: Andy Carroll

The most significant decisions are always left to the very end, and the inclusion of Andy Carroll over the excellent Danny Welbeck is certainly a significant decision.

But I have always defended Andy Carroll for what I believe to be good reasons—reasons that have started to justify my support in the closing weeks of the season.

Simply put, Andy Carroll offers a side of the game that no one else in the England squad offers, especially with the exclusion of Peter Crouch. His aerial ability, while slightly susceptible in his first few months (even year) at Anfield, has come right to the fore in his past few games for Liverpool.

His link-up play with the midfield and strike partners have improved considerably, as has his first touch and positional awareness. And his finishing, while still not reaching the heights he did with Newcastle, is underrated and will require some tight marking from opposing defenders.

We have also seen in the closing weeks that Carroll offers much more than just a goal-scoring option up front; his ability to win second balls and create chances for onrushing midfielders will also be a great asset that Roy Hodgson should surely use to its full potential.

Combine his aerial threat with the crossing of Ashley Young, Steven Gerrard and other wing options, and you have the ingredients for a quite dangerous striker.

Substitutions and Scenarios: Defence

Roy Hodgson’s defensive options in different scenarios should be quite simple.

With Johnson the only recognized right-back in the squad, any injury to him will see Manchester United’s Phil Jones deployed on the right.

As mentioned previously, Leighton Baines has secured the backup left-back slot for himself.

Where a less aerially dominant opposing attack is concerned, which in turn requires England to keep the ball better on the ground, Gary Cahill could come in for either John Terry or Joleon Lescott, as his technique and cultured defensive play will provide a better outlet for England to keep their play moving from the back.

And where a defensive or midfield driving force is needed, Phil Jones will be available to provide his penetrating runs and deceptively quick dribbles into the opposition half.

Substitutions and Scenarios: Midfield

The midfield is where it gets interesting.

First, to address England’s options in defensive midfield. Parker and Barry would, in theory, be effective at keeping the passing short, against teams that like to dominate possession. To take advantage of Carroll’s aerial dominance and ability to set up plays, Frank Lampard could provide the long-range passing that England currently lack in the midfield.

5/31: Frank Lampard has been ruled out of Euro 2012 with a thigh injury. He has been replaced by Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson.

Alternatively, in games where England might be chasing a result, Steven Gerrard could be moved back into the midfield, sacrificing a more conservative midfielder and in turn speeding up any counterattacking play.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose inclusion has been labeled a shock (but which I have always trumpeted), will provide an interesting attacking dimension off the bench.

His experience this season should ensure that he plays a more prominent role than Walcott did at the 2006 World Cup, and his raw ability has the potential to be just the spark England might need. His ability to play across the midfield will also stand him in good stead, and should make him one of England’s most potent substitute options.

In James Milner and Stewart Downing, Roy Hodgson has included two hard workers who have had to endure disappointing league seasons, but otherwise are decent crosses. While their relative lack of pace and dribbling should see them down the pecking order in terms of substitutes, their ability to create chances for England’s strikers might prove useful in the tournament.

Substitutions and Scenarios: Strikers

On the back of a successful personal season, Danny Welbeck will be itching to prove himself on the international level. His relatively unprolific goal scoring will hurt his chances at making the starting lineup, but his energy, pace and physical presence could be a valuable asset off the bench.

Jermain Defoe’s pace and finishing should also see him become one of England’s first substitute options, especially if England need to find a goal. Hodgson could choose to use Defoe alongside Carroll in a traditional big man-small man strike partnership.

When Wayne Rooney Is Eligible Again

In the end, given his sensational form in the Premier League this season, perhaps Wayne Rooney’s inclusion in the squad of 23 was inevitable.

Now the question is: How should England use him when he returns from his two-match ban?

This should be addressed in the pre-tournament friendlies by giving Rooney a run-out alongside Welbeck, with whom he has dovetailed so effectively this season, and with whom he should start in the England strikeforce when he returns.

Alternatively, he could be deployed in the central attacking midfield position that Gerrard currently occupies in this lineup, moving Gerrard to the right, where his crossing and shooting would pose a major threat, or to the center of midfield.

Or maybe Rooney could just come back and replace Carroll’s spot in the starting XI.

But we’ll have to see whether Carroll lets go of it that easily.

Your Thoughts

So that’s my England XI for the summer, as well as a variety of different tactical options for Roy Hodgson to ponder.

Do you agree with my choices? If not, what would you change? Let us know in the comments below.

Stay tuned for extended coverage on the Euros this summer from Bleacher Report and myself. Please check out my writer’s profile for more of my work, and my blog, The Red Armchair, for Liverpool match reactions and opinions.