2014 World Cup News: Hodgson Names England Team For Brazil
Tuesday, May 13th, 2014
On the 12th of May, England manager Roy Hodgson revealed the 23 strong squad that will represent England in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It’s out with the old, in with the young as the 2014 England squad only contains 6 players with previous World Cup experience.
Hodgson defended his controversial decision in taking inexperienced players, saying “the youngsters are there because they deserve to be there. They can all play. I’m not taking anyone just for the experience”. 10 out of the 23 players on this year’s England squad are under the age of 25.
After years of World Cup failure, fans are under no illusion that England will win the Cup. Hodgson, however, surprised press, responding to the big question, can we win? “Yes, I believe the squad can win the World Cup, otherwise what’s the point?” Although he did acknowledge that they were “empty words”, clarifying that England is only capable of winning the World Cup if we play well.
Fresh Talent
Hodgson’s lineup of younger players includes Southampton defender Luke Shaw and Liverpool and Everton Midfielders Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley. Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere has also made it onto the squad, despite injuries earlier this season – let’s hope it wasn’t a rookie mistake.
Seasoned Pro’s
Familiar names like Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and, of course, England captain Steve Gerrard have made the oldies but goodies list. Hodgson is hoping their previous World Cup experience will help diffuse the pressure the squad will face under the Brazilian sunshine. The seasoned pros are sure to be feeling the heat in supporting their younger team mates.
The Snubs
Notorious England ‘love-rat’ Ashley Cole has spat out his dummy at being snubbed from this year’s squad. The Chelsea defender is so distraught with the decision that he took the opportunity to announce his retirement from international football.
Toronto FC Striker Jermaine Defoe has also been cut from the main squad – the 31 year old shared his disappointment in a statement to the press, saying “I felt I had a good chance of going because I’ve been involved in most of the squads. I feel devastated”. It’s not all bad news, though, as Defoe has been named as one of Hodgson’s standby players for the team.
The Road To Brazil
The squad are off to Portugal next week to commence warm-weather training for Brazil, before heading home for a final match at Wembley. England have three more warm-up matches to play before the World Cup. They will play against Peru at Wembley stadium on the 30th of May, before heading to Miami for a further two warm-ups against Ecuador and Honduras on the 4th and 7th June.
Hodgson chose to base the squad in Miami prior to the first match against Italy on the 14th of June. This will be played in the humid and tropical Amazonian city of Manaus, and Hodgson hopes the Miami heat will help the players acclimatise – although we’re suspicious that Miami beach is the real reason they’re going!
England fans worldwide are hoping the team mix-up will be what the England squad need to make it through the group stages in Brazil. Time will tell if Hodgson has made the right decision, but the general consensus from more experienced players is that this is the move England needs to make, in order to secure its future as a serious international competitor.
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Image credit: The Football Association
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