Thursday 24 March 2016 12:07, UK
England were immaculate in qualifying but could the team be unrecognisable by Euro 2016? We examine the options...
At the 2006 World Cup, England's line-up for the first game in Germany included seven of the same players who'd started the very first qualifier away to Austria in 2004. Ten years on and it says much for the state of flux that Roy Hodgson's squad is in that, despite an immaculate qualifying campaign, there's an appetite for far more drastic changes.
Hodgson's instinctive trust in a group that won all 10 of their qualifying matches is understandable. No other side in Europe was able to match that record - not world champions Germany, nor European champions Spain. But a glance through the names that made it happen, highlights the conundrum facing the England manager.
Forwards
Wayne Rooney remains the team's captain and was the top scorer in qualifying with seven goals. But he struggled for form in the early part of the season and has since been stricken by injury. He is missing from the squad for the forthcoming friendlies.
During qualification, Rooney was most regularly partnered by Danny Welbeck - who scored six goals of his own - and Raheem Sterling. But the former only recently returned to fitness after a 10 month lay-off, while the latter has withdrawn from this latest squad.
The trio boast only 16 Premier League goals between them this season. To put that into context, Jamie Vardy had scored 11 himself by Halloween. He has since been overtaken by Harry Kane (21) and the two strikers are currently the Premier League's top scorers.
With Daniel Sturridge also returning to form at just the right time, having failed to feature at all during England's qualifying campaign, Hodgson will surely be tempted to opt for a new-look attack despite the best efforts of his players over the past two years.
Midfield
It's a similar story in midfield where Hodgson appeared to have settled upon a midfield three of Jack Wilshere, Fabian Delph and Jordan Henderson. This offered a good balance with Wilshere as the deep-lying playmaker being covered by two hard-working runners.
Indeed, Wilshere's performances in qualifying in this role represented something of a tactical triumph for Hodgson. But the Arsenal midfielder has endured another injury-hit campaign. Although the comeback is said to be imminent, he is yet to play a single minute.
In fact, Wilshere, Henderson and Delph have started only 19 Premier League games between them this term. In contrast, Dele Alli and Ross Barkley have starred. The young duo might not be such an obvious fit in Hodgson's system but their form is tough to ignore.
Moreover, while Wilshere has made a success of a role he's unaccustomed to operating in for his club, Eric Dier has emerged as a genuine holding midfield player at Spurs. The more defensively-minded Dier might be seen as a more sensible option against stronger sides.
Defence
The Tottenham connection could be extended into defence. Kyle Walker and Danny Rose have enjoyed fine seasons in the club's push for the Premier League title. And yet, Rose was not involved at all during qualifying and Walker made just one start.
Nathaniel Clyne was the favoured right-back, although Phil Jones also featured there, while Kieran Gibbs - currently second-choice at Arsenal - was the most used left-back. Luke Shaw is expected to miss out through injury, while Leighton Baines turns 32 later this year.
At centre-back, Chris Smalling has enjoyed another fine season for Manchester United and John Stones, despite a dip, is regarded as a long-term option for his country. However, 33-year-old Phil Jagielka and 30-year-old Gary Cahill still got the most minutes in qualifying.
Conclusion
Ahead of a major tournament, it's customary for England supporters to fixate on a few issues. At the last World Cup it was the identity of the squad's reserve left-back. The role of Michael Carrick has been a recurring theme, too. But this time the entire squad is under scrutiny.
Although the number of English players in the Premier League has decreased, the country's manager can seldom have had so many places up for debate going into a major tournament. There are persuasive arguments for a change of personnel in almost all areas of the team.
Hodgson will outwardly celebrate such an embarrassment of riches. However, privately he will also be aware that the situation could soon become simply embarrassing if the disparity between his favoured team and the public's preferred line-up is too vast.
England's best squad for Euro 2016, according to the WhoScored.com stats
The 68-year-old has been unfairly styled as a conservative coach since taking the job - consider, for example, his near 4-2-4 formation in Brazil - but he does put great stock in international form. At Euro 2012, he even trusted another coach's players for that reason.
As a result, might he be reluctant to hand Dier and Rose their first competitive starts in France? Would he be willing to start Vardy if the Leicester man is still waiting for his first international goal? Even Kane is yet to score for England in a game in which he has started.
If Hodgson does stick with those who got England to France, it could well give lie to the argument that it's good to have options. For as long as Vardy, Barkley et al have their fans, Hodgson may find himself under pressure from the very first game against Russia.
Which XI do you think England should start with at Euro 2016? Let us know using the message boards or by tweeting @SkyFootball
