The Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, has suggested England should not be afraid of selecting players from the bottom half of the top division and the top half of the Championship. But how might a starting XI look based on last season’s final standings …
Goalkeeper: Ben Foster
An experienced hand who has suffered greatly from injury problems, the West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper has won eight caps. Would face competition from Queens Park Rangers’ Rob Green and the Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton but when fit and on form can be very good.
Right-back: Carl Jenkinson
The 23-year-old belongs to Arsenal but is eligible for selection having rejoined West Ham on loan, where he spent last season too. He played 16 minutes in the friendly defeat by Sweden in 2012 and has not added a second cap but has impressed at Upton Park. The team would not be well stocked in this department, though Simon Francis might provide decent back-up after an impressive campaign at Bournemouth last season.
Centre-back: John Stones
He may be at Chelsea come the start of the season, perhaps illustrating the gap between bottom half of the Premier League and very top may not be that wide after all, and has already featured under Roy Hodgson. The most obvious choice in this side.
Centre-back: Michael Keane
Schooled at Old Trafford but unable to make the grade, Keane was an impressive facet of Burnley’s battling team last season and has also tasted plenty of action in the England Under-21 side. Run close by Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson, who played for the Under-21s in the Czech Republic.
Left-back: Aaron Cresswell
Would face a battle with Everton’s Luke Garbutt and Leighton Baines, but Cresswell excelled in his debut Premier League season. He was ever-present in Sam Allardyce’s West Ham team and won player of the year, players’ player of the year and signing of the year at Upton Park.
Right midfeld: Ross Barkley
Not strictly positioned on the right of midfield and would be afforded a roaming allowance, the Everton midfielder’s inclusion is a must. A squad regular under Hodgson, his influence will increase in the coming years despite questions over his form at the tail end of last season.
Central midfield: Tom Cleverley
Another Everton player, having joined from Aston Villa, Cleverley remains on the fringes of Hodgson’s team and having answered his critics with a strong end to last season at Villa Park, is expected to push on after completing a transfer to Goodison. Failed to cut it at Manchester United but has 13 caps.
Central midfield: Tom Huddlestone
Relegated last season with Hull but he was one of few bright points for Steve Bruce’s team. The 28-year-old has only four caps but would bring plenty of other experience having made more than 30 appearances in European competition while at Tottenham and a handful more with Hull. Competition would come from Will Hughes, and players such as Jonjo Shelvey, Mark Noble and Jack Colback could also be considered.
Left midfield: Stewart Downing
Has dropped down a division by returning to Middlesbrough to be guaranteed a regular starting position, but he featured under Hodgson as recently as last winter when making an appearance in the friendly against Scotland. Also enjoyed a strong season at West Ham, though he slipped down the pecking order after Slaven Bilic’s arrival.
Striker: Saido Berahino
Widely expected to feature in the senior squad soon after his breakthrough campaign at West Bromwich Albion, he has an outstanding record at Under-21 level, scoring 11 times in 10 appearances. Troy Deeney and Callum Wilson, who led Watford and Bournemouth to promotion respectively, could also be decent shouts, and Leicester’s Jamie Vardy was named in Hodgson’s last squad.
Striker: Andy Carroll
The yin to Berahino’s yang, the West Ham striker would help form a classic partnership – target man holding it up for his speedy team-mate. Scored against Sweden in Euro 2012 but because of injuries and sketchy form he soon fell out of favour. A role that could also be filled by Queens Park Rangers’ Charlie Austin.
