England Euro 2016 squad: The tactical reasons behind Roy Hodgson’s final selection

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James Olley2 June 2016

Four years ago, Roy Hodgson named a squad for Euro 2012 which included just four strikers, despite knowing his best forward — Wayne Rooney — would be suspended for the opening two matches.

This lunchtime, the England coach sat down at The Grove Hotel just inside the M25 to explain why he sacrificed a defender earlier this month and a defensive midfielder yesterday to accommodate five strikers including a teenager with just 63 minutes of international football under his belt.

If England can undergo anything like the tournament transformation Hodgson has during his four years in charge, then we should be in for a wild ride at Euro 2016.

Hodgson’s selection reflects both the talent pool at his disposal and the individuals best suited to the two systems he prefers to play; ostensibly it appears to be a top-heavy squad because that is exactly where the best players happen to play.

Danny Drinkwater’s omission is a surprise when set against Ross Barkley or Jordan Henderson’s inclusion but the Leicester man is best suited to a 4-4-2 formation, or as Leicester’s head of recruitment Steve Walsh infamously put it: “Drinkwater in the middle as a holding player with N’Golo Kante either side!”

England do not possess a Kante and therefore eschew a flat midfield four. Drinkwater did not look comfortable neither on the left side of a midfield diamond in the first half of last Friday’s friendly against Australia nor at the base of midfield in a 4-3-3 system in the second half. There were other factors, of course, and while it would be harsh to dismiss a player with such a fine domestic season behind him based on one friendly, that performance certainly did not count in his favour.

Contrast that with Rashford. The 18-year-old’s rise to prominence continues unabated due in no small part to his display at the Stadium of Light.

Player Ratings: How England performed in their Euro 2016 warm-up matches

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Of course, his debut goal inside three minutes was a standout moment but he proved himself adept enough to link up in a two-man forward line alongside Raheem Sterling before shifting out to the right in a 4-3-3 shape as Rooney took centre stage after the interval. Hodgson wants flexibility. It is remarkable that Rashford is capable of displaying it at such a tender age but combined with his composure and clinical finishing, it is a package that proved irresistible to a once conservative manager.

Back in 2012, England played with a flat midfield four and looked to stay as compact as possible with John Terry, Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole asked to reprise their roles as defensive stalwarts repelling all-comers, which formed the basis of Chelsea’s Champions League success that year.

England will head to France looking to prove that they have evolved far beyond a team that recoil at the sight of possession. Hodgson and his staff have worked hard on England embracing the ball while proving flexible in formation to ultimately give his side greater unpredictability in attack.

Hodgson watches on as his 23-man squad trains at London Colney Photo: John Walton/PA
John Walton/PA

That sentiment is reflected in Rashford’s inclusion as it is with Daniel Sturridge, who for all the concerns regarding injury, remains a big-game player capable of match-winning moments. Hodgson spoke effusively at a dinner with selected media last year about the sheer magnitude of Sturridge’s natural ability.

Barkley has been out of form and looked bereft of confidence in a second-half cameo against Australia last week but he is another who can take a game by the scruff of the neck and emerged as one of the few positives from the World Cup debacle of two years ago.

This is a squad that will have a go. Rooney took aim at the critics arguing his ineffectiveness as a centre-forward with a 52nd international goal in England’s last outing but the team look better balanced with their captain at No 10, supplying passes for Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy in attack.

The most obvious problem with England’s diamond formation is a lack of width. It can be a risky business reading too much into squad numbers but it is interesting that Kyle Walker and Danny Rose have been given the No2 and No3 shirts respectively; the Spurs duo have helped stretch teams from deeper positions all season and should be well versed in the role, although Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand both possess the pace to succeed, too.

England remain suspect at the back but Hodgson feels attack is the best form of defence. How times change.

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