Predicting England's Euro 2016 Starting XI
For the third time this season, domestic matters pause and international football takes the spotlight for the next few weeks.
European teams will now be focused on the road to Euro 2016, putting the bright lights and samba beats of the 2014 World Cup behind them.
Having disappointed in so many recent tournaments, Roy Hodgson must find success in France and will already be pencilling in a possible England line-up.
Here's a look at his potential starting XI for the summer of 2016.
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
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Unless Joe Hart suffers an extremely poor run of form, it seems unlikely any other goalkeeper will challenge him for the gloves.
Willy Caballero's recent Capital One Cup showing was hardly the kind to pressure Hart at club level, which means someone would have to consistently grab attention.
Fraser Forster is perhaps the most likely challenger, but while Southampton's defence is currently impressive, he hasn't yet been forced into a high volume of saves.
At this stage, Hart seems one of the most certain selections for Euro 2016.
Right-Back: Nathaniel Clyne
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Right-back is currently an open competition. John Stones began the qualification campaign playing there before injury gave a chance to Calum Chambers.
Both men will be in contention for this role, as will Kyle Walker and Glen Johnson, but it may be Nathaniel Clyne who soon emerges ahead of the pack.
Both Stones and Chambers appear better prospects at centre-half, Johnson has started the season in unconvincing fashion at Liverpool and Walker has missed a huge amount of action due to injury.
Clyne has been one of the Premier League's best right-backs this season, and if he's given the chance, he may soon make the No. 2 shirt his own.
Left-Back: Kieran Gibbs
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Left-back is also up for grabs.
The fact Hodgson has named three options in his current squad suggests he's not yet sure about his best selection going forward.
Leighton Baines is currently the man in possession of the berth and, along with Luke Shaw, is the most attacking option, but Hodgson may have concerns about both players' defensive capabilities at the very highest level.
Kieran Gibbs does not offer as much in attack as either player, but he is better defensively and may be the more balanced selection.
That said, if Hodgson does use a diamond system, as he has thus far in qualifying, he will need both full-backs to be prominent in attack.
Centre-Back: Gary Cahill
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Gary Cahill was one of the few players to emerge from Brazil with his reputation intact.
The Chelsea centre-back plays in one of the Premier League's stingiest defences and will surely lead his country's back four at Euro 2016.
He will be 30 by the time the tournament begins and still in his prime as a defender.
Centre-Back: John Stones
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Who partners Cahill is less certain. Phil Jones was given the honours first, as England rebuilt after Brazil, but injury meant Phil Jagielka returned to the side.
Both may still be options for the tournament, but it's impossible to ignore two potential stars coming through in Calum Chambers and John Stones.
If they maintain their rapid rises, either player could make this spot their own over the next few years.
Before injury, Stones had already become a starter at Everton and may experience more games at centre-back over the next two years, giving him the edge.
Central Midfield: Jack Wilshere
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After unsuccessful experiments with 4-2-3-1, Hodgson currently seems to be favouring a diamond system.
Jack Wilshere has been used at the base of this system, and whether the formation remains, the Arsenal man seems likely to anchor midfield and control his country's passing game in France.
Whether that's right or wrong, this role seems sure to be Wilshere's at Euro 2016.
Central Midfield: Jordan Henderson
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Providing the legs a little higher up the field will most probably be Jordan Henderson.
The Liverpool man's form has mirrored Liverpool's slow start to the season, but there aren't too many choices to replace him.
Were Fabian Delph to secure a major move as his contract runs out, he could soon be a genuine rival—as will James Milner, should he continue to be a regular starter at Manchester City.
For the moment, though, this seems Henderson's role to lose.
Central Midfield: Ross Barkley
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If England maintain their diamond system, Milner, Delph and even Adam Lallana seem more natural picks in this position.
However, by the summer of 2016, Ross Barkley will be 22 and will most likely have forced his way into Hodgson's side.
The Everton attacker is currently best used in the No. 10 spot, but he's spent time in three and even two-man midfields and has the game to become even more effective in a box-to-box role.
By 2016, Barkley can be a key weapon for Hodgson.
No. 10: Raheem Sterling
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At the top of the diamond, Raheem Sterling will have the licence to roam free and link up with England's two-pronged strike force.
Other contenders are Lallana, Barkley and even a rejuvenated Stewart Downing, but Sterling seems almost certain of the pick.
The Liverpool man has the creativity and elusiveness to unravel the very best defences and will be a key player come 2016.
Centre Forward: Wayne Rooney
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Love him or hate him, there's little doubt Wayne Rooney will remain a certain starter at Euro 2016.
Installed as Hodgson's captain, the only question surrounds where he plays.
Rooney may also become another option at the tip of the diamond, but for now it seems most likely the Manchester United man remains as one of two forwards.
He has the energy and work rate to make this system work, and by Euro 2016, he should be his nation's record goalscorer.
Centre-Forward: Daniel Sturridge
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Despite his current injury, Daniel Sturridge is the best option to partner Rooney.
Danny Welbeck has found a strong run of consistency in international colours, while the potential of Harry Kane and Saido Berahino may soon pose bigger threats to the shirt.
Sturridge, however, is the most complete and reliable selection. At 26 years of age, the Liverpool man will be arriving at the tournament in his prime, and Euro 2016 will be his best chance for success at a major tournament.
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