England’s Euro 2012 Starting XI – Pick This Team Fabio….I Dare You
It’s time to start picking an England XI for the Euro’s as the season is in full swing and only a few games remain for Fabio Capello to try out players in friendlies before Euro 2012 starts in Poland and Ukraine.
For me the question is as much about formation as individuals and the debate must be about Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand even being in the squad.
Given the quality that is Spain, the drive that is Germany and the flair that is France, I feel we have to pick players who will electrify the tournament. We want to be proud of the England team and so I’m advocating a younger, more vibrant line up than we have seen so far from the Capello regime.
My team is as follows:
Joe Hart
Kyle Walker, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Leigthon Baines
Theo Walcott, Tom Cleverley, Scott Parker, James Milner
Danny Welbeck, Danny Sturridge
I would leave Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard at home. I would have John Terry, Aaron Lennon, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole on the bench. This team has pace, power and form about it.
I want England to play a high tempo, game where we turn the defenders and press high up the field, leaving our quick defenders to snuff out counterattacks. Parker is a giant in that defensive destroyer role. Jones and Smalling are the future and frankly only Walcott can destroy defences like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo can (if he’s at his best of course).
The form, drive and fitness of those left at home aren’t worth a place. Surely a bench slot for the Tweeters, cheaters and bleaters is all they deserve.
Who have I missed out? Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Bobby Zamora, Gareth Barry, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ledley King, Jack Wilshere (ok maybe he should be in the team in place of Milner), Gabriel Agbonlehor, Adam and Glen Johnson or even the big fella Andy Carroll.
Pick a better team? I dare you.
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Jules
November 10, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Not much of a dare, Cleverly and Milner out, Wilshere and Johnson in. Also I think you’ll see Oxlade-Chamberlain there or thereabouts! Don’t watch much football do you mate!
Bubble9
November 10, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Oxlade-Chamberlain?????????? Cant even start for the Arse why would he play in Euro 2012, dont watch much football either do ya? And Walker is fast becoming the best right back in the country, but what would a blinkered gooner know about that!!
Jules
November 10, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Not to mention Richards instead of Wal(n)ker, and Cahill instead of Jones or Smalling!
dixie222
November 10, 2011 at 7:24 pm
if he did dare play this team, we would be on a quick plane home. if we came up against spain it would prob be 10 nil instead of a good beating of only 2 nil
Will
November 10, 2011 at 7:33 pm
Definite Man Utd Fan!! Hasn’t got a clue!
E4_Yidd
November 10, 2011 at 8:06 pm
I get that we won’t win the Euro, but I’d rather we at least TRY rather than pick that totally ridiculous team.
Sturridge and Welbeck were useless at U21 level for god sake. Walcott isn’t fit to sit in the same room as Messi and Ronaldo and that defence would be torn to pieces.
I’m with you on leaving Lampard and Rooney out though, can’t remember the last time they did anything decent in an England shirt.
lex
November 10, 2011 at 8:07 pm
all wrong we would be back home before the final whistle of our last group game.
starting/strongest 11=
Hart
Richards Terry Cahill Cole
Walcott Parker Gerrard Downing
Rooney
Defoe
Subs: Carson, Jones, Jagielka, Wilshere, Lampard, Welbeck, Bent.
It was hard to pick between Downing and Milner but I just felt that Downing is better on the flanks. A team with youth, experience and quality.
samdrich
November 10, 2011 at 8:13 pm
You lot are all a bit strange…..
Hart,
Richards, Terry (I hate to say it), Rio (If fit and on form), Cole
Parker, Wilshere, Gerrard
Downing, Rooney, Young
Billy
November 10, 2011 at 8:16 pm
Hart
Walker, terry, jones, cole
Gerrard Parker Wilshire
Young, Rooney a.johnson
Glenn Hoddle
November 10, 2011 at 9:13 pm
Hart
Walker Ferdinand Jones Cole
Wilshire(that hurts) Parker Milner
Gerrard Rooner Young
Me as manager
Terry was past it about two years ago!!…can no one else see that!!
Gozzyy
November 10, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Hart
Walker Terry jones baines
Wilshere parker cleverley
Young Sturridge rooney
KimboSlice
November 10, 2011 at 9:49 pm
……………HART…………….
RICHARDS/WALKER…JONES…TERRY…COLE
WALCOTT…WILSHERE…GERRARD…YOUNG
………….STURRIDGE…………
…………..WELBECK………….
That is perfect mix of youth with experience
jake
November 10, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Right on mate
Jay
November 10, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Baines over Cole?
Hart
Walker Cahill Terry Cole
Wilshere Parker Lampard (system will play to his strengths)
Sturridge Rooney Young
jake
November 10, 2011 at 10:00 pm
It is absolute blashphemy to fail to mention Jack Wilshere in any starting XI for the 3 Lions.. Absolute absolute blashphemy mate!!
Jay
November 10, 2011 at 10:02 pm
@Hoddle, Terry ain’t past it. He’s never had pace and if you put him in a back line that lacks pace he’ll get exposed. Play to his strengths and you’ve got a solid defence.
Bismack Pa Be....... frm Imo State Nigeria
November 10, 2011 at 10:14 pm
Heart…….Richards……..Terry….A.Cole. Parker…..Gerrad Wilshere …………Milner/Lennon/Walcott………..D.Bent Downing/A.Young
Enorme Nuez
November 10, 2011 at 11:21 pm
Not sure why there is this morbid fascination with Theoooo Walcott. He maybe an attacking presence but he tends to get marked out of matches, and if the games are going in Ar5enal’s favour, he drifts off. He is a liability as he offers nothing in the form of defensive cover.
I agree we should be moving forward, going for pace, but Walcott is not the answer for a starting eleven.
For major tournaments two criteria’s should be the justifying reasons: merit and form.
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Ash
November 11, 2011 at 12:26 am
————–hart—————
Walker–Terry—jones–cole—-
————Parker—————-
Lennon——Wiltshire—-young
————– Rooney———–
———–welbeck/defoe————–
I think that is the best team to play enough fire power all over and enough defensive experience to keep most players out.
Dean
November 11, 2011 at 12:45 am
Hart
Richards-Jones-Cahill-Cole
Parker-Wilshere
Gerrard
Walcott-Rooney-Young
Bench from – Foster, Green, walker, smalling, Terry, Lescott, ferdinand, Gibbs, Cleverly, Lampard, Barry, Milner, Downing, Bent, Sturridge, Welbeck, Johnson
haydios
November 11, 2011 at 1:34 am
England’s best XI:
hart
richards,cahill,jagielka,baines
parker,wilshire,rodwell
young,rooney,a.johnson
subs:
stockdale/carson
g.johnson/walker,terry,smalling,dawson,a.cole
gerrard/lampard,clevely,lennon/downing/walcott,chamberlain/sinclair,
bent/welbeck,wickham,defoe/zamora/agbonora,
time to justify my starting XI:
goalkeeper:dats England’s best but can be spain’s 3rd.
defence:johnson would’ve bn my right back bt he lacks defensive ability.
terry hasnt played well ever this season started.i dont know why he’s not on the bench 4 chelsea.look at van persie’s 2nd goal against chelsea tells u all dats the same mistake luiz did,chicharito took advantage and scored against man u,now he’s on the sidelines.he can play some games to show young stars the ryt path(like pique showed the way by puyoul)
A.cole,age frustration makes one of the best England’s left back ever produced to make silly fouls & tackles bt he services wud still be needed in crucial games.stil on defence the only lad i petty is stoke city’s shawcross,he shud’ve an England cap by now.he’s better than Man U’s jones.
midfield:parker everybody knows his defensive quality.
wilshire,the vision to make incredible passes bt lack the eye 4 a goal.
everybody cud be surprised,worried to have rodwell in the starting XI bt believe me the youngman is better(greatest English player 4 the role am giving him dis Euro)than barry.his role in dis team will be man marking,not giving space to the playmakers of his opponets,david silva can testify.dis England squad cant match with best 3 squads in europe so dats the only solution.on midfield experienced players shud only play 2nd half unless its decisive game then 70-90min will do.and dats stevie g playing parker’s role & parker playing the role 4 rodwell.am only worried of cleverly, super-sub 4 jack w. His role will always be undermined coz of jack w.wats wrong with england? each generation they’ve players who play the same football in the midfield(lampard & gerrard).now jack & thom.
Strikers:very poor apart from rooney & a.johnson.most attackers are not consistence,the likes of theo,young,lennon and downing. nowadays tall strikers & 6yard box finishers(bent,carroll,zamora) are limited to starting XI coz of defence high & teams trying to keep possession.
Subs:I’ve included the young prospects in the squad to gain experience & have a tornament exposure.
I’ve justified any part but the only question I can’t answer ryt now is who is the best player among jagielka,dawson & smalling to play with cahill.
Dim
November 11, 2011 at 3:06 am
Really?
Rooney has to start, so does ashley cole. IF (and it’s a big if) Ferdinand and Terry miss out then it has to be Cahill, Chris Smalling is bordering on retarded and would get destroyed. Wilshere is a must, and you need players like Stevie G and Lampard around coz they know how to direct a team and find a goal.
That is possibly a team for the future, but would not register a point next year. Sorry champ.
markkk
November 11, 2011 at 3:44 am
hart
richards smalling terry gibbs
parker
gerrard wilshere
walcott welbeck young
Rob
November 11, 2011 at 4:56 am
Hart
Walker Smalling Cahill Cole
Johnson/Downing Parker Wilshere Young
Rooney Bent
leo
November 11, 2011 at 5:27 am
hart
richards terry cahill cole
parker wilshere
young
walcott milner
bent
subs-sturridge,johnson,jagielka,baines,jones,barry,carroll,foster,rodwell. Wlcm d nxt generation.
ptar
November 11, 2011 at 6:30 am
hart
walker smallings jones baines
walcot cleverly wilshere young
rooney welbeck
subs-sturridge,johnson,parker,foster,rodwell.jagielka
this the future team 4 england and also the best
Dan
November 11, 2011 at 7:05 am
This is it
Hart…..
Richard, Jones, Terry, Ashley…..
Milner, Gerrard, Parker……
Walcot, Bent, Downing
none of u kno football
November 11, 2011 at 9:26 am
Easy choice as long as every1 stays fit:
Hart
Richards/Walker Cahill Terry Cole
Gerrard Parker Wilshere
Walcott/A.Johnson Rooney Young
easy
November 11, 2011 at 10:54 am
Must be…
Hart
Richards-Jones- Terry- Cole
Wilshere-Barry
Gerrard/Lampard(depends on form)
Milner-Rooney-Young
Subs Carson Foster Walker Jagielka Lescott Baines Johnson Walcott (super sub) Defoe Sturridge Downing
Troll
November 11, 2011 at 5:07 pm
No no come on, all of you are wrong
Green
Konchesky Gardner Shawcross Gibbs
Pennant Barton Bowyer Bentley
Heskey Crouch
Manager: McClaren
Oh Wait… 😀
trig
November 11, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Hart
Richards terry Ferdinand cole
Parker
wilshere gerrard milner
rooney
Carroll