Potential England and Wales Stars of a Team GB at Rio 2016 Olympics
News emerged on Tuesday that the Football Association is looking into sending a Team GB for both men and women to the 2016 Olympics in Rio, after they both competed at the home nation version in 2012.
Despite it only being originally intended as a one-off, BBC Sport report that the FA has, "written to its counterparts in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to ask them if they want to take part," there is thought to be far from general approval at the move.
Northern Ireland and Scotland did not have any players involved in 2012, with the team made up of English and Welsh players. With that in mind, here's a look at a few potential stars of any 2016 Team GB in the men's team who could have a bigger impact in Brazil than the national team managed in last year's FIFA World Cup.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
"SFA confirm they won't stop Scottish football players participating in Rio 2016 Olympics with Team GB, but remain officially opposed to it.
— OnlyAnExcuse (@OnlyAnExcuse) March 3, 2015"
"The FA wants to enter teams for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Who wants to see the old gang back together for Team GB? pic.twitter.com/JFKorXaSMl
— Marathonbet (@marathonbet) March 3, 2015"
Qualification
The Olympics doesn't run a qualification campaign for itself, of course, so competing nations qualify by way of their results in other major tournaments. For Team GB, BBC Sport indicate that the performance of the England under-21s at the European Championships would dictate potential inclusion—they would need to reach the semi-finals to qualify.
The players themselves make up an 18-man squad and must be comprised of under-23 players, though three over-age players can be included.
This means we'll be looking at players who are no older than 22 this year—we won't be focusing on the overage performers as, in theory, any player could be selected—from Gareth Bale to Boaz Myhill, Wayne Rooney and Lee Cattermole.
Talented Teens and 20s
All fans love to see a young player come through the ranks, whether homegrown or bought in at a young age, and a number of teenage stars have been making waves this year or last. Raheem Sterling at 20 is a great example of such, while team-mate Jordon Ibe, only 19, has also had a great recent run.
Other teens such as Luke Shaw and Will Hughes will hope to merit consideration, but Luke Garbutt has impressed too at left-back. For Wales, Ben Davies will also challenge Shaw and Garbutt, while full international forward George Williams bears watching but has big competition. Jordan Williams is a promising option as a holding midfielder.
In defence, John Stones of Everton and Arsenal's 20-year-old Calum Chambers are probable defensive inclusions too, offering versatility as well as quality, which is a vital component of such a small squad.
The most likely goalkeeping option appears to be Jack Butland—the Team GB goalkeeper in 2012.
20-Something Stars
While the teenagers may be mainly only just making their way in the game, plenty of Premier League talent are still in the early 20s.
Ross Barkley of Everton and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal, both 21, are already England internationals and might be expected to be important parts of a Team GB, but others have developed slightly later.
Harry Kane is one such player; expected to be in the next England squad for the first time, the 21-year-old striker has turned suddenly and spectacularly into a goal machine. He has no international or tournament experience as yet, so he should absolutely be part of the under-21 squad for the finals this summer. But he could also prove himself reliable enough to stay part of the team and lead the line at the Olympics.
As an outside bet, Newcastle's Sammy Ameobi provides an unpredictable option in attack, while Danny Ings at 22 is another striker possibility—but competition for a place will be fierce, with Saido Berahino also in the conversation and Lloyd Isgrove the most likely contender from Wales.
All told, there are plenty of exciting youngsters who could take part...if Team GB make it, if it is ratified by the Football Associations and FIFA. Confidence would be high that they could improve on the quarter-final achievement of the side at the 2012 Olympics.
