Everton trio named in England squad

, 17 March, 20comments  |  Jump to most recent
Phil Jagielka, Ross Barkley and John Stones have been called up by Roy Hodgson for the forthcoming international friendlies.

There is no place for Leighton Baines, Tom Cleverely or the in-form Aaron Lennon, however.

Lennon's goal scoring and all-round impressive displays in recent weeks has heightened speculation that he might get the nod in a squad that has lacked a consistent winger in recent years but he was not among the played last named in the England manager's party.

Baines, meanwhile, is usually a given in the national squad his lack of regular appearances this season appear to have lowered him in the pecking order.

England take on Germany and the Netherlands as they prepare for the European Championship Finals in June.

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Meanwhile, Brendan Galloway has been called up to England's Under-21s squad again.

 

Reader Comments (20)

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Guy Hastings
1 Posted 17/03/2016 at 20:03:00
There's not a better left back in the named squad than Baines. If his lack of playing time is down to injury concerns, fair enough (how many games has Sturridge had?). It might be nice for Hodgson to say so; he appears to have the time to conjure up enough 'reassuring' leaks about Shaw, who's very so-what.

But I'd rather have a fit Baines ready for next season than a half-crock who's just got shit from media no-marks during the Euros. I suspect he might feel the same.

Colin Glassar
2 Posted 17/03/2016 at 20:13:28
Bainsey has no chance of making the England squad. The media want Rose, Gibbs, Cresswell, even injured Luke Shaw before Bainsey.
Tom Bowers
4 Posted 17/03/2016 at 20:24:09
Hodgson never ceases to amaze me. How on earth can he include Sterling the biggest underachiever in the Premier League. this season and he didn't do a lot for the Shite either.

If he is a starter in the Euros and the next World cup at the expense of many better players then England have no chance.

As for the Everton lads, I agree Bainsey has been out for a while and is probably past his best.
Jim Bennings
5 Posted 17/03/2016 at 20:30:03
It's boring really isn't it Tom?

Sterling has been beyond shite for most of this season regularly criticised by City fan's, radio phone-ins whilst Lennon works his socks off and has added goals to his game yet doesn't even make the squad.

It's exactly why England will live up to the usual low expectations and fail dismally at the Euro's this summer.

Just shows really that the days of player's being picked for their country on form are long gone.

Surely Lennon should have been there?

He's been outstanding for two months yet Baines has hardly played, same for Stones.

Grant Rorrison
6 Posted 17/03/2016 at 20:44:34
To be fair to Sterling, he does have that ability, like all top players, to find that extra half a yard of space.. Just not necessarily on the actual pitch.
Colin Glassar
7 Posted 17/03/2016 at 20:54:32
The media pick Roy's teams. Always have, always will.
Tony Hill
8 Posted 17/03/2016 at 21:05:51
Hodgson is obviously hopeless. I still haven't forgiven him for cutting down Ross after the Ecuador game in 2014, something which I think did the player great damage at the time. I want Baines fit for next season and nowhere near this dickhead's squads.
Martin Nicholls
9 Posted 17/03/2016 at 21:18:07
Couldn't give a flying fuck about England and this squad selection illustrates why – suspect most Blues feel the same.
Jamie Barlow
10 Posted 17/03/2016 at 22:29:33
I'd rather none of our players played for their countries.
Kieran Kinsella
11 Posted 17/03/2016 at 22:53:57
Lennon would be in if he was still at Spurs. Sturridge doesn't deserve to be there.

Baines like Coleman has been swept along on memories of performances from a few years back. On current form he is the fourth or fifth left-back so was rightly excluded.

Cleverley hasn't played enough while Jagielka and Stones benefit from lack of viable options.

Gavin Johnson
12 Posted 17/03/2016 at 23:14:50
Lennon should have been picked, the lad can't do anything more on present form.

Hodgson's quotes about John Stones being played in midfield are curious. I'd love to see him get a game there. While he should be seen as a CB first and foremost. Stones is similar to Eric Dier, but is more of a technical player. I think he could be very effective as defensive midfielder. How's about playing him alongside Darren Gibson against the RS??

I'm surprised this hasn't been discussed on TW. I'm not saying we should be looking at trying to turn the lad into a midfielder, but he could be an option in Barry's absence if Besic or McCarthy pull a hamstring, or the dilemma of who we put in the side against the RS.

Anthony Dwyer
13 Posted 17/03/2016 at 23:20:13
Baines is by far the best left back in the country; Woy is a fool not to use him.
Patrick Murphy
14 Posted 17/03/2016 at 23:26:55
Gavin (12) I suggested that Stones should be utilised just in front of the back four a good while ago. I don't think he's ever going to be a full-back and he isn't at the moment really that good a defender, but he will learn that position over the next few years.

Putting him in the 'Barry' position would be worth a try as it would add height in our box for set-pieces and his passing ability and natural footballing skills could be enhanced without the worry of being the last man and he would learn a great deal about the game, I'd rather that than see him languishing on the bench for any length of time.

Gavin Johnson
15 Posted 17/03/2016 at 23:31:59
I think you're right, Patrick. I think he has the skill set to be a very good defensive midfielder in theory, certainly better than his other secondary position of RB.

There's definite parallels with Eric Dier who has made the transition from CB and I don't see why Stones couldn't do the same role, especially with his passing ability.

Dennis Ng
16 Posted 17/03/2016 at 23:40:11
LOL Patrick, why is everyone knocking me when I said Stones should be a defensive midfielder? Some say he does not have bite, some say whatever, but we clearly want him to work out for us so why are we only worrying about his best position now? Well, still, better late than never.
Phil Smith
17 Posted 18/03/2016 at 12:43:04
How on Earth can Sterling get in the England squad and Aaron Lennon is overlooked? Lennon has been twice the player over the last two months...
Dave Abrahams
18 Posted 18/03/2016 at 12:55:33
I would have liked Aarron Lennon to have been picked for the England squad. It would have been a nice pat on the back for his excellent form for Everton and maybe put an extra swing in his step for future Everton performances... although he couldn't have played much better recently for the Blues and England teams never ever get me hot and bothered.
Darren Hind
19 Posted 18/03/2016 at 14:06:05
I was listening to TalkShite this morning. It would appear that the England manager has thought about playing Stones in midfield too. He actually asked Stones could he do it. Stones said he could (well, he would, wouldn't he) but Roy Hodgson decided to brink in Drinkwater instead.
Charles Barrow
20 Posted 18/03/2016 at 14:36:28
What seems to be the case is that Hodgson picks his squad partly based on what the media tell him to do and partly through him having his favourites. How else can you explain his statement that Wilshere will be in the squad whether or not he has played this year!

And what's the betting that a half-fit Rooney will play in the Euros, no matter what Hodgson said yesterday. And he'll play Sturridge before Kane or Vardy. And what are players like Henderson, Lallana and Milner doing there!!

Paul Kossoff
21 Posted 24/03/2016 at 01:52:22
Gavin (#12), God help us if we play Gibson and Stones against the RS, we will get ripped to shreds.

I honestly would play the Under-21s... at least if we got beat, then we would have an excuse.


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