Debates about Wayne Rooney's place in the England national team will continue for the next ten weeks until the start of the 2016 European Football Championship. But that's not the only serious dilemma facing England manager Roy Hodgson, wrote lrytas.lt.
After a 1-2 loss on Tuesday in a friendly match with the Netherlands, the English continue to worry - can the team end a 50-year trophy drought?
In addition to the usual English problems, such as the goalkeeper, there is a very important detail that has been added. The central defense line has always been the strong point of the England national team. Just under ten years ago, Sven-Goran Eriksson was in such a perfect position that before the 2006 World Cup, he had enviable choices.
He chose from four English Premier League defensive giants: Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, John Terry, and Sol Campbell.
All of this is in the past. Now we see a soft English defense that threatens to spoil the shine of R. Hodgson's new generation.
The pair has not yet been found.
Since England's fiasco at the 2014 World Cup, where the team did not advance past the group stage, R. Hodgson's players have played 14 matches. The coach has chosen a different defensive quartet each time.
In the last six matches, R. Hodgson has even introduced different pairs of central defenders.
Chris Smalling, after a solid season at Manchester United, has earned the name of a reliable starter, but his partner is still unclear. R. Hodgson chooses between John Stones (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), and Phil Jagielka (Everton).
Is the future player suitable now?
John Stones is the future. The 21-year-old player, with his calmness with the ball, vision, deceptive movements, and game reading, is like the heir to Rio Ferdinand. But that's just the beautiful side. Stones started the season fantastically at Everton and clearly showed why Chelsea tried to sign him three times, but then mistakes poured in. Everton immediately reminded the player that there will always be a place on the bench.
The match against the Netherlands perfectly reflected Stones' season. One minute he was confident and securely trusted the ball, the next he made mistakes, slipped up, or gave in to tense moments. The chain of events eventually allowed Vincent Janssen to equalize.
In the end, Stones' game looked poor.
"I don't intend to make a decision about whether to choose him or not based on that moment," said R. Hodgson, then praised the player for his reliability and clear ball play.
Despite the downward curve in form with the move to Manchester City, John Stones received praise from England captain James Milner that evening. "He stood up and now people are interested in him. He is a top-class player," said J. Milner.
Defense - without a leader.
G. Cahill alongside Ch. Smalling is a safer choice. This pair was most often seen during Euro 2016 qualification, but Gary regained his place in the main Chelsea lineup only after Kurt Zouma suffered a serious injury in the summer.
In addition, G. Cahill has had serious problems defending against top-level attackers in recent years. Among them - Luis Suarez, who put the Englishman in an uncomfortable position during the 2014 competition.
With J. Terry no longer in the choices palette, England lacks leadership and dominant force in the center of defense.
During the European Football Championship in France, England may get more protection in defense from defensive-minded midfielder Eric Dier, but this area will still remain the weakest link.
Offense - assured.
R. Hodgson is not feeling any better about the defense lines. He has not yet decided what he would like to see on the right: Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool) or Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur). On the left side of the defense, R. Hodgson tried Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), and Danny Rose (Hotspur) in recent matches.
It is also worth remembering that Luke Shaw (Manchester United) could return from a broken leg before the start of Euro 2016.
England has a healthy lineup in attack. Dele Alli (Hotspur), Harry Kane (Hotspur), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), and returning W. Rooney (Manchester United).
But if England wants to be a serious contender for trophies, R. Hodgson must improve the defense.
lrytas.lt
