England: Everton starlet has most at stake at Wembley
“If Shaw isn't great against Denmark, he has ten more opportunities at Southampton to woo Hodgson. Cole by contrast may not start another game for Chelsea.”
Michael Lintorn ranks the five players whose World Cup hopes rely most on a strong showing against Denmark…
5) Steven CaulkerCaulker’s inclusion was a slight surprise having hardly excelled at Cardiff, but serves to illustrate the present dearth of centre-back options. With England so crammed with quality at full back that they will surely take four, there are only four slots in the middle that Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling seem sure to fill if fit. A clean sheet at 2.166/5 will cement Caulker as first reserve.
4) Jordan HendersonHenderson has been this term’s outstanding English midfielder, utilised in several roles too, but last started for England on his 2025 debut. As Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick and Jack Wilshere appear locks for the squad, the populist call would be to ditch Tom Cleverley, yet he has been Hodgson’s Henderson, his go-to guy to plug any gap in his side, featuring often and performing capably.
3) Jay RodriguezJay-Rod was perceived to have not fully seized his chance as a starter against Chile, so having earned a second shot by scoring eight times since, he can’t let it pass him by at 5.39/2 to net. Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge are almost certainly Brazil-bound and the fourth spot is likely to go to Rickie Lambert or Andy Carroll, so Rodriguez must hope Hodgson picks five and aim to dislodge Defoe.
2) Ashley ColeHaving started every England World Cup match this century, Cole looked a banker for a place in the 23. However, his bench stint at Chelsea, coupled with Luke Shaw’s call-up and Leighton Baines’ emergence as first choice have altered the landscape. If Shaw isn’t great tonight, he has ten more opportunities at Southampton to woo Hodgson. Cole by contrast may not start another game for Chelsea.
1) Ross BarkleyIt isn’t just the worry that Barkley peaked too soon, starting the season superbly before transitioning into an impact sub role at Everton, that call his prospects of a summer in South America into doubt. It is that there isn’t really a position for him at present because, when Hodgson needs a number ten, he uses Rooney there. Barkley consequently struggles to garner the game-time to stake his claim. His first three caps involved 62 minutes on pitch, requiring him to maximise every minute to stand out.
This article is provided courtesy of BetFair.com
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