England Football Formation

Lineup (5-3-2)

Keeper is a no brainer.

The reason that I select a 5-3-2 or similar to it - is that England are currently without any world class wingers - yet with Cole/Baines and Walker/Johnson we have as good a selection of attacking full back that I can recall in my lifetime.

The 3 center backs are solid, and with the 3 selected - you have the added advantage of not having so many worrys about Terry's pace - and also the advantage of having 2 players there that have played/trained together for a year. Lescott more than capable at playing left back should Cole be caught upfield, as is Cahill capable of filling in at right back.

The midfield is bordering on pedestrian, but its solid. People will point and say that Barry hasn't had a good season, and how he was caught out against Germany in the last world cup etc - but he is a solid player, and has played well in big games for City (most notably against United recently and what many considered the title decider). I think most people would have Parker in the team also, but there would be questionmarks against Lampard for many. Whilst there isn't much in it for me between Lampard/Gerrard, I would select Lampard based on his performances toward the back end of the season - notably against Barcelona in the semis where he worked hard, and was key to Chelsea's counter attacking moves.

I appreciate that Rooney will be suspended for the 1st 2 games of the tournament - but he is a must for games after this, and as cover for him in the 1st 2 games I would play Darren Bent in a more advanced position that Rooney. I believe that this formation is almost tailor made for Andy Carroll - with full backs that will be more focused on attacking then defending you should expect plenty of crosses into the box - and Andy Carroll work-rate this season is excellent, and his games towards the back end of the season when Liverpool have been playing more to his strengths are worthy of a place in the lineup.

2 a side note to this:

We have natural cover:

Other than perhaps Rooney, we have players in each of these positions. Holt will do much the same roll as Carroll. Gerrard for Lampard - Parker or Phil Jones are capable of playing Barrys roll and Milner can fill in should Parker in the more classic central mid position. I have already mentioned Baines more than able replacement for Cole, as is Johnson/Richards/Jones on the right - with both Richards/Jones/Jagielka also covering the center back positions.

So my 23:

Hart
Foster
Carson

A Cole
Baines
Lescott
Terry
Cahill
Walker
Johnson
Richards
Jones


Barry
Parker
Lampard
Gerrard
Milner
Young

Rooney
Bent
Carroll
Holt
Walcott

With Young/Walcott/Milner you at least have the chance to switch to a 442 should be required, but all these players are also capable of playing in central positions should they be asked.

The 2nd point to this formation is that I feel it counters both Spain and Germanys way of playing with 1 front man and a couple of attacking style midfielders. Spain and Germany both like to focus on getting in 3v2 positions with the centre backs and playing between the lines of a classic 442 formation. Its hard to explain what I mean without laying some coins out on the bar of my local pub - but Gary Neville covered this recently (I think on Monday Night Football).

Anyway, ramblings of a madman perhaps - but I feel this plays to our strengths rather than a 1 formation fits all England teams.