After 10 wins out of 10 to qualify for next year’s Euro 2016 in France, England have high hopes of making amends for their woeful showing at last year’s World Cup when they failed to qualify from their group in Brazil. But how good are Roy Hodgson’s rejuvenated side? Chances are we will get a better idea over the next few days.
With Spain and France up next for England in this international break, it is going to be fascinating to see how the young Lions fare against two of Europe’s elite. I for one am looking to seeing how Harry Kane does in the absence of skipper Wayne Rooney who will not start Friday night’s match in Spain.
With Hodgson looking to experiment, it will be a shame if red hot strker Jamie Vardy is ruled out of both friendlies by the injury he picked up in the weekend’s win against Watford.
Vardy, the striking sensation of the Premier League season so far scoring in the last nine successive games to take his tally so far to 12, will hopefully be fit enough to at least play a part in Tuesday’s Wembley fixture against France.
Either way, the truth is that England’s genuine striking options augur well for next summer. With the likes of Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling adding an exciting array of attacking options, these are encouraging times. While another exciting factor for Hodgson’s men is the outstanding form of defender Chris Smalling who has had an exceptional start to the season for Manchester United.
But it is up front where England now boast three formidable strikers who all offer something different that opponents will be wary as this maturing, young squad grows in stature and confidence. It will be interesting to see how the bookmakers rate England’s chances as Euro 2016 approaches.
For Hodgson the upcoming double header against Spain and France offers an important opportunity to see how his side fare without relying exclusively on Rooney in the goals department.
The England manager has already said that Rooney will be rested, at least from the kick-off: “Wayne’s with me because he’s the captain of our team, he’s the most important figure as a result, but he actually won’t start the game.
“I’m telling you that because Wayne and I are very anxious that we’re not trying to fool anybody or bamboozle anybody when he’s sat alongside me. That’s for the very simple reason that we’re looking at various combinations and it will be good for me to see how various combinations are developing. At the front we’ve got Wayne and Jamie, we’ve got Harry and Ross Barkley, there are combinations there that interest me.”
