They have been tagged overrated, under performers , and even perennial losers. One-time world champions England are drawn in group D of the...
They have been tagged overrated, under performers, and even perennial losers. One-time world champions England are drawn in group D of the World Cup alongside European neighbors Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica.
In recent competitions the three lions have struggled to make an impact which is ironic for a nation which boasts of the most vibrant league in the world. Ranked 10th in the world, the English team head into this finals with the aim of bettering past appearances.
STRENGTH
Selecting a 23-man team to represent England was tough for Roy Hodgson, The competitiveness in the English league means all top English players plays regularly at the highest level. Heading to Brazil 2014, most of the players in the team are coming from the back of an impressive season.
The teams competitively ready, a good omen for England is the larger amount of young legs in this particular tournament. The three lions have a balanced side and are stable from defence to attack.
WEAKNESS
The retributive effect of the whole team playing locally is lack of exposure and rigidity. The English boys all play in the league and play the traditional British football, which has led to many saying they skill and panache.
Sadly so, the three lions previous tournaments have not done anything to debunk such claims. Critics have jokingly tagged group D as "boring to Death". This says all, about the uninteresting brand of football on play.
VERDICT
Roy Hodgson's men are rated to finish third in this group but if the likes of Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and veteran captain Steven Gerrard chooses the right time to turn up at this tourney, the three lions might claim three massive wins.
TEAM LIST
GK - Fraser Forster(Celtic F.C), Ben Foster(West Bromwich Albion), Joe Hart(Manchester City F.C).
DF - Leighton Baines(Everton), Gary Cahill(Chelsea F.C), Phil Jagielka(Everton F.C), Phil Jones, Chris Smalling (Manchester United F.C), Glen Johnson(Liverpool), Luke Shaw(Southampton F.C)
MF - Ross Barkley(Everton), Jordan Henderson, Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling (Liverpool F.C), Jack wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain(Arsenal F.C) Adam Lallana(Southampton F.C), James Milner(Manchester City F.C) Frank Lampard(Chelsea F.C).
FW - Rickie Lambert(Southampton F.C), Wayne Rooney, Daniel Welbeck(Manchester United F.C), Daniel Sturridge( Liverpool F.C)
