THREE lions on the shirt, Jules Rimet still gleaming …All those years of hurt… oh, to be an England fan.
Another tournament, a new coach, Rio gone but Terry stays. Those were the headlines as the FA’s chosen one, Roy Hodgson announced his squad for Euro 2012. Can England win it? Of course they can. Will they? Now there’s a very different question that only ‘Engerlund’ fans will understand.
Veteran defender Ferdinand was the highest-profile casualty as new boss Hodgson unveiled his squad for the European Championships. After so much speculation about whether Hodgson would pick Ferdinand and Chelsea captain John Terry in the same squad, it came as some relief to many that the Manchester United centre-half who had been left out. Terry of course is facing a court case in July on allegations he racially abused Ferdinand’s younger brother Anton during Chelsea’s Premier League clash with QPR last October. Hodgson did the right thing and told reporters Ferdinand’s omission was made “purely” on footballing grounds, and we move on.
Hodgson also confirmed Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard would captain England at the Euros and he is counting on his personal experiences with the player during his short tenure at Liverpool to build a strong team ethic. But who else made the squad?
Arsenal teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain earned his first senior call-up after a promising first season with the Gunners. Oxlade-Chamberlain said his selection felt “surreal.”
“I’m delighted,” he told Arsenal.com. “To be picked for your country at any stage is a massive honour and to be at a huge tournament like the Euros is such a bonus.
“I would have probably laughed if someone had told me I would be in the Euro 2012 a year ago.”
And Liverpool striker Andy Carroll got the nod after a strong finish to the season. Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck and Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe complete the line-up of strikers.
In midfield Hodgson has opted for an experience, including Gerrard, James Milner and Gareth Barry in his squad. Unfortunately Chelsea’s Frank Lampard pulled out due to injury. Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy has forced his way into the squad after a great season at Carrow Road..
England squad for Euro 2012:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Man City), Rob Green (West Ham), John Ruddy (Norwich)
Defenders: Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Man United), John Terry (Chelsea), Joleon Lescott (Man City), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton)
Midfielders: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Man City), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Ashley Young (Man United), James Milner (Man City)
Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Man United), Danny Welbeck (Man United), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham)
Standby: Jack Butland (Birmingham), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)
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