England Football Formation

Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Joe Hart · John Terry · Gary Cahill · Ashley Cole · Micah Richards · Scott Parker · Frank Lampard · Steven Gerrard · Ashley Young · Theo Walcott · Peter Crouch

I would play this as the starting line-up against France and Sweden, with Welbeck coming on for Crouch towards the end of the games to get him working well with the team. Then when Rooney returns from suspension drop Crouch and Gerrard for Welbeck and Rooney respectively (unless Gerrard performs dramatically better than Lampard). Adam Johnson would be a key substitute, plus if we're needing to hold on to victory against France or Sweden then Barry could come on from Lampard or Gerrard.

Other key attacking players on the bench would be Defoe and Milner, whilst Baines, Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand and Lescott (or possibly Phil Jones) would be the other outfield players, with Ben Foster out of retirement and Robert Green providing the international experience to help the other keepers.

In later rounds Gerrard and Lampard could rotate and replace each other during games, given their age, and if Young or Walcott under-perform Johnson could step in, having scored a couple of goals despite only playing a few England games, whilst Downing is goalless despite playing a third of a century of games.

I actually think this team could do better than we've previously done, because it's a lot more balance. There are also blocks of people who've played together, for example 3 defenders from Chelsea, the potential of Hart, Richards, Adam Johnson on the right, plus Barry and Milner involved in the middle (and Lescott also an option), whilst Welbeck, Rooney and Young could combine up front, Crouch and Gerrard work well together and start the first few games, and Lampard will have experience linking with the defence and many of the rest of the team from previous international outings. Parker should retain the captaincy because his on-field position suits the role, he is hardworking, uncontroversial off the pitch and able to inspire team mates as he's done as West Ham and Tottenham. The only person on his own in representing his team in the starting line-up is Walcott, but he has shown quality on the internatinoal level and domestically, so should be able to work well with whoever else makes it into the line-up. With Hodgson at the helm and his in-depth knowledge of how other teams in Europe play, experience of international football, getting to the finals of the Europa League recently with Fulham, and his ability to make a team beyond the some of their parts, England could actually go further than they have previously, although a potential semi-final appearance against Germany looms particularly ominously.