2014 FIFA World Cup: England's Starting 11 Should Be Bold and Youthful

Out with the old, and in with the new.

English manager Fabio Capello is likely to wave arrivederci to the English FA after Euro 2012.

Even if he wins Euro 2012, which I doubt England will, don't be too disheartened.

Did you know every nation that has won the FIFA World Cup did not have a foreign manager?

With so many prospective young talents coming up into the English ranks, here's a look at a bold youthful English starting 11 for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Goalkeeper: Joe Hart

Age during the 2014 FIFA World Cup: 27

There is nothing bold about Joe Hart being the undisputed goalkeeper for the English squad because he will continue to build upon his reputation as the best English goalkeeper of his generation. Add that to the fact that he will have a solid back four in front of him and Hart will definitely start in 2014. 

Right Back: Martin Kelly

Age during the 2014 FIFA World Cup: 24

It must be a refreshing sight for Liverpool fans to see their right back actually defending.

Martin Kelly has looked reasonably solid, surely a lot more competent from a defensive aspect than Glen Johnson.

Centre Back: Phil Jones

Age during the 2014 FIFA World Cup: 22

What a revelation Phil Jones has been.

Forget about Rio Ferdinand, who these days spends more time tweeting than playing football, focus on Jones.

For the life of me, I couldn't understand why Sir Alex Ferguson spent £16.5 million on a teenager who was unlikely to start.

Perhaps Ferguson envisioned Ferdinand not being able to cope with his injuries and Nemanja Vidić going down with injury too.

Jones has been tremendous and I believe the writing is on the wall for Ferdinand.

Centre Back: Chris Smalling

Age during the 2014 FIFA World Cup: 24

There are a lot of uncanny similarities between Chris Smalling and a young Rio Ferdinand.

Smalling just looks so comfortable on the ball, he doesn't seem to have any obvious flaws in his game, and his reading of the game is superb.

Left Back: Ashley Cole

Age during the 2014 FIFA World Cup: 33

I don't really see any up and coming left backs usurping Ashley Cole anytime soon.

Ryan Bertrand is highly rated, but he couldn't even secure a UEFA Champions League squad placement as a backup left back.

Right Winger: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Age during the 2014 FIFA World Cup: 20

The difference between Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott, is Chamberlain is a natural winger whereas Walcott is a makeshift winger—he is and will always be a forward at heart.

I only watched Arsenal's Carling Cup game against Shrewsbury Town because I heard Chamberlain would start.

The teenager looked a class apart, which shouldn't be expected considering he is still very young. However, considering his price tag, one should have expected this type of performance against weak opposition.

He had a great 60 or so minutes against Olympiacos and he recently scored a hat-trick against Iceland for the England under-21s.

By the way did a I mention he is only 18!

Centre Midfielder: Jack Wilshere

Age during the 2014 FIFA World Cup: 22

Jack Wilshere is a bona fide star.

He exudes confidence, and to think English manager Fabio Capello envisioned Wilshere being England's version of Claude Makélélé.

Makélélé could never skip past opposing players like Wilshere can, nor does the great Frenchman have the play making ability of Wilshere.

Centre Midfielder: Tom Cleverley

Age during the 2014 FIFA World Cup: 24

It pains me to see Manchester United giving a chance to Tom Cleverley whereas Chelsea continue to neglect the talents of Josh McEachran.

Cleverley is a hard worker, he has flair, he has ability and he is agile.

Just imagine the midfield pairing of Jack Wilshere and Cleverley.

Screw playing a defensive midfielder; why doesn't England take the initiative and attack? Why shouldn't English supporters be treated to nice free flowing football as opposed to dull, boring, pragmatic football which still doesn't yield them success.

Left Winger: Raheem Sterling

Age during the 2014 FIFA World Cup: 19

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out there is something special about Raheem Sterling.

You don't see teenagers like him dancing around opposing players with pace and trickery.

Withdrawn Forward: Wayne Rooney

Age during the 2014 FIFA World Cup: 28

Assuming things go to according to script, Wayne Rooney should approach the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the peak of his powers.

Centre Forward: Daniel Sturridge

Daniel Sturridge has power, but he also has guile.

I mean the kid is so versatile, and to think I thought he would have issues playing out wide.

He looks to have the goods but I have no doubt his long term position will be as centre forward.

Other Options

Fraser Forster: He'll be 26 by the 2014 FIFA World Cup and will likely be Joe Hart's number one contender. Hopefully the young Englishman doesn't decide to switch allegiances like Ciaran Clark did.

Kyle Walker: He'll be 24 by the 2014 FIFA World Cup and he looks like a modern day right back. Powerful, good fitness and will look to make the right back position his own.

Ross Barkley: He'll be 20 by the 2014 FIFA World Cup and probably won't be at Everton. It's amazing that he has fitted into senior football with such ease. Supposedly a centre midfielder, he's looked pretty good out wide.

Danny Welbeck: He'll be 23 by the 2014 FIFA World Cup and his combination with Wayne Rooney may give him an edge in the selection circles. It really depends on if he can cement a position in the Manchester United strike line amidst Chicharito.

Josh McEachran: He'll be 21 by the 2014 FIFA World Cup and he has looked so classy whenever he's been given the chance. Though therein lies the problem, he isn't being given a chance.

Marc Albrighton: He'll be 24 by the 2014 FIFA World Cup and he has pace to burn. He could be a deadly impact sub.

Connor Wickham: He'll be 21 by the 2014 FIFA World Cup. I haven't seen enough of him to really make a judgement.

Please read 10 Exceptional Goals You Have to See.