Why Adam Lallana Deserves Chance to Earn England World Cup Squad Place

England's chances to look at options for their World Cup squad are going to be few and far between as next summer's tournament in Brazil approaches, but the friendly double-header against Chile and Germany will prove an important opportunity for fringe players to stake their claim.

One who certainly deserves his chance in the national team shirt is Southampton captain Adam Lallana.

The attacking midfielder is expected to start for Roy Hodgson's men against Chile on Friday, according to John Cross of Mirror Football, which will be his international debut—along with team-mate Jay Rodriguez.

The two could well line up on opposite sides of England's attack in a 4-2-3-1 system, with Wayne Rooney or Rickie Lambert up front.

While Rodriguez can bring directness, pace and an explosive unpredictability to the team, Lallana is altogether more technical and subtle, less inclined to bursts of speed but no less of a threat in the final third for that.

The Saints skipper has impressed enormously under Mauricio Pochettino's tutelage, often playing in a free and varied wide forward role with licence to change flanks or drift inside to help his team press high up the field and create chances to score.

The latter has certainly done well this term; with almost two key passes per game to his name in league play, he ranks in the top 20 of the Premier League, ahead of the likes of Wayne Rooney, Tomas Rosicky or Yohan Cabaye.

Excellent close control, an aptitude for hard-work and the presence of mind to make it count when he has the ball in the final third; in short, he can bring everything that the national team has been crying out for from an attacking midfielder.

His recent goal against Hull City brought Lallana right to the front of the nation's collective mindset, but Lallana has been creating chances for his team-mates based on such skill and dribbling ability for a long time.

Where the likes of Rodriguez, Andros Townsend or Danny Welbeck offer England a direct and rapid outlet, Lallana can offer all the workrate of James Milner or Jordan Henderson on the opposite flank, but with arguably far more on-the-ball talent.

Experience? Perhaps this works against him, but no more so than with Townsend himself, or any of the substitute goalkeepers.

Should he get the nod to play against Chile, he will be capable of making an impact.

Whether that in isolation is enough to win a place for the World Cup is doubtful, but he certainly has the backing and the support of his manager at club level to continue his excellent form over the remainder of the 2013-14 season.

There aren't many spots available for latecomers to the scene, no matter what the manager might say, but an attacking midfielder who has versatility, a good work ethic, technical ability and shows a consistent end-product to his game...such a player might well be one of the lucky 23 in the end.

But it must start positively if Lallana is to have a chance, one which he thoroughly deserves.

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Stats via WhoScored.com