The England thread

[Lineker]

Think Oscar is going off to the Confederations Cup and all.

[Adam]

I think it's more to do with Sterling not being used to playing at Premier League pace for a whole season yet. He's 18 years old, basically he has been rested from the first team so he isn't overexposed and so he doesn't get burnt out, which does happen to players.

[Matt]

Oscar's first season at this level too and he isn't much older. I can understand resting him a little, no reason to not play for the u21s though.

Oscar is who I meant in my initial post, not Hazard.

[brenchill]

Rio Ferdinand has retired from International football.

Big news!

[ZJ Penn]

I thought he was retired :/

[Nerf]

And because he injured his thigh.

He's fit now, though. Pretty sure that was only a minor injury, and he'd been rested before that.

We didn't give Michael Owen any time to rest, and he was of a comparable frame and pace to Sterling. We all know what happened there.

[brenchill]

Yeah, you sold him to Madrid!

[Hobo]

Yeah, for 8 million.

Rodgers has pretty much rested or dropped Suso, Sterling, Shelvey and co. since January because of fears of burnout.

Sterling was pretty obviously burnt out by January.

[Nerf]

I'd argue Shelvey was more likely dropped because he is dog shit >_>

[Jimmy]

England squad to play Rep Ireland & Brazil:

Foster, Hart, McCarthy;

Baines, Cahill, Cole, Jagielka, Johnson, Jones, Lescott, Walker

Carrick, Cleverley, Lampard, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain Walcott;

Carroll, Defoe, Rooney, Sturridge, Welbeck

No idea what Defoe's done to deserve a call-up. Lescott, either. No Scotty P Wanna see Sturridge start up top. 10 goals in 13 games is a huge return.

[Summers]

Hodgson picks on name now clearly. Form doesn't come into it.

[brenchill]

Hodgson picks on name now clearly. Form doesn't come into it.

I think all England managers fall into that trap. I remember when Sven took the job, he chose some fantastic in-form players but after 2-3 squads we were just back to the same old names.

[Jimmy]

Yeah, after the last few months, I'd have happily seen Gabby given another shot in the squad. I dunno, but for friendlies, we should give people who are on form the chance to show what they can do, instead of calling up players who are out of form, or don't play for their clubs. I get it if we wanna do it for Qualifiers, but these are friendlies after all.

[brenchill]

Agbonlahor deserves a call-up more than Welbeck, friendly or not.

[Lineker]

Fair play on McCarthy getting a call-up though, he's been immense. Would like to see him play but he won't.

[Jimmy]

Also I bet Walcott's not impressed in the slightest that he's still considered a midfielder in the eyes of Hodgson.

[Summers]

Fair play on McCarthy getting a call-up though, he's been immense. Would like to see him play but he won't.

The fact the only form call up is for the third keeper spot says it all.

[Adam]

Why has Leon Osman been dropped? Call me biased but he's been in good form recently.

I really thought Hodgson taking over would lead to a refreshing change in England's style and who he selects but no, same as always let's have all the players from the big teams. Aside from two of the goalkeepers (an area where he has no choice but to select others) every single player plays for a top 7 club.

[METALMAN]

I'm surprised Beckham isn't in there

[Jimmy]

Why has Leon Osman been dropped? Call me biased but he's been in good form recently.

I really thought Hodgson taking over would lead to a refreshing change in England's style and who he selects but no, same as always let's have all the players from the big teams. Aside from two of the goalkeepers (an area where he has no choice but to select others) every single player plays for a top 7 club.

Hey, Andy Carroll does count as an actual player too, ya know!