Vardy finds it difficult to compete with Liverpool midfielder at EURO 2016
It seems that manager Roy Hodgson has an idea for the England squad for EURO 2016. Surprisingly, it is a bit different from what people usually imagine.
Why Lalana?
Jamie Vardy has had a phenomenal season with Leicester, scoring 24 goals and providing six assists in the 2015/16 Premier League. The 29-year-old has also impressed for England, scoring in each of his last three appearances. But that hasn’t been enough to convince Roy Hodgson to include him in the starting line-up.
According to the British media, the name that Hodgson wants to see in attack is Adam Lallana. What the 28-year-old midfielder showed last season at Liverpool has attracted Hodgson's attention and he believes that Lallana holds the key to the Three Lions' tactical operation.
In a 4-3-3, Lallana will play as a right forward. In a 4-4-2, he will appear on the left of the midfield diamond but can also play up front if needed.
Compared to other competitors, such as Jamie Vardy and especially Ross Barkley, Lallana is quite inferior. Last season, he only scored 4 goals and assisted 6 other goals, less than Barkley (8 and 8). In terms of crossing, dribbling, and creating chances, Lallana also cannot compare with the player currently playing for Everton (63-110, 75-198, 50-57 respectively).
However, as mentioned, he is versatile and provides a sense of security because of his ability to help defend well. Lallana's 59 tackles, 20 interceptions and 35 clearances in the Premier League in 2015/16 are more than any other attacking midfielder at Hodgson's disposal. With a defence lacking in reliability and playing in a league where mistakes are not allowed, England need Lallana's qualities.
Put your trust in the wounded?
In midfield, there were more surprises. Eric Dier, who was impressive against Türkiye, and Danny Drinkwater, the best English midfielder in the Premier League in 2015/16, got few chances to start. Hodgson's faith was in Jordan Henderson and Jack Wilshere.
The duo missed most of last season due to injury and have only played a limited number of games for the Three Lions (a total of 661 minutes since the beginning of 2015, equivalent to 7 matches). Regardless, as long as both are fit, the 68-year-old coach is ready to use them in the starting lineup.
The Three Lions are thus set up with Harry Kane as the centre-forward, supported by Rooney and Lallana on the flanks. Below him will be the trio of Henderson, Alli and Wilshere as anchors. Hodgson hailed the Arsenal midfielder as a special type of player and was pleased that he brings something exciting from midfield.
If a 4-4-2 diamond is formed, Alli will be pushed into the attacking midfield role as in the friendly against Germany in March while Henderson and Lallana will be on the wings. Below that, the back four will consist of Clyne, Smalling, Cahill, Bertrand.
It can be said that this is the optimal and mobile formation. However, the calculations on paper and the reality on the field are very different, especially when some of them do not play much to ensure that they still play as well as before.
Young goes with inexperience If they were to take the field with the above squad, with an average age of only 25.9, this would be the youngest Three Lions in a major tournament in many years. But on the contrary, they are quite limited in terms of experience with an average of 31.9 international appearances each. And 7 of them have not played more than 25 matches. These 11 have combined to score 62 goals, but 51 of these (82%) belong to one name: Rooney. |
According to bongdaplus
