England manager Roy Hodgson reveals attacking hand and lack of conservatism in confirming Euro 2016 squad
England boss Roy Hodgson appeared to throw caution to the wind after shunning any temptation to opt for conservatism when confirming his 23-man squad for Euro 2016.
As expected, teenage Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford completed his meteoric rise, having only made his first-team Old Trafford debut in February, by making the cut in a five-man attacking pool, which also includes Daniel Sturridge.
Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph had already been ruled out of contention with a groin injury, while it was confirmed yesterday that Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater and Andros Townsend had been axed from Hodgson’s provisional 26-man party.
Drinkwater’s omission means there is a more concentrated emphasis on attack in the England squad, with only eight of the 20 outfield players recognisable as out-and-out defensive players.
Tottenham’s Eric Dier is the only specialist midfielder anchor, and he could yet be pressed into centre-half duty should injuries strike given Hodgson has opted to take just three central defenders – Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill and John Stones.
Chelsea centre-back Cahill was absent from Friday’s 2-1 victory over Australia at the Stadium of Light due to a long-standing hip complaint, although the 30-year-old former Bolton defender returned to training on Monday.
Drinkwater, a Premier League title-winner last season with the Foxes, was quick to offer his support to the rest of the Three Lions squad after being told by Hodgson that his services would not be required in France.
“Disappointed not to make the final 23. Would have been a fantastic experience to get to the Euros as a player. But I’ll be supporting the country like I always have,” he wrote on Instagram.
“This season’s been a huge positive for me. Good luck to the lads, bring it home.”
Townsend followed suit, writing on Twitter: “Obviously gutted to fall at the final hurdle but wishing the boys all the best of luck at Euro 2016.”
England play their final warm-up clash against Portugal at Wembley on Thursday before heading to their French training base in Chantilly. The tournament itself begins on Friday, 10 June.