Tuesday 17 May 2016 10:14, UK
England manager Roy Hodgson has taken a gamble by including only three central defenders in his pre-Euro 2016 squad, according to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.
Hodgson has selected his first-choice centre-back pairing of Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling with 21-year-old Everton defender John Stones acting as back-up.
However, Stones' experienced club-mate Phil Jagielka, who played at both the 2014 World Cup and during England's unbeaten qualifying campaign, misses out, with Hodgson expected to utilise Tottenham Hotspur holding midfielder Eric Dier as a back-up centre back.
"They're players I respect and admire, but you have to make a decision," Hodgson said on Monday when announcing his 26-man squad that will be reduced to 23 names by May 31.
"I've decided we'd rob Peter to pay Paul, in the sense of taking only seven defenders, and unfortunately that's gone over Phil.
"It was a tough conversation, but I'm glad to have spoken to him."
Carragher, though, believes Hodgson is taking a risk by not including a fourth central defender in his squad for this summer's tournament, especially given Dier has not played as centre back for Spurs this season.
"I think normally - there are going to be three players dropped - you would expect those players to be from each area of the team," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"But a defender can't drop out as there are only seven in there.
"I think the thinking is Dier has played as a centre back, but he has not played there all season. And I think that is a bit of a risk, I must say, to just go with the three centre backs."
To have Stones and Dier, who has not played there all season, as back-up centre backs is a bit of a risk
The former Liverpool defender, who represented England 38 times in an 11-year international career, also thinks Hodgson is taking a chance by having Stones as first reserve given his mixed form for Everton this season.
"And one of them is John Stones, do not forget, who has had a tough time of it this season," Carragher said.
"So to have John Stones and Dier, who has not played there all season, as back-up centre backs is, I think, a bit of a risk."
Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness agrees with Carragher and feels Hodgson has "left himself open to criticism" should one of his centre backs pick up an injury prior to the Euros.
"There are several surprises in the squad," said the former Liverpool manager.
"I think it is common sense to take players who are fit, bang at it, playing well and not take a chance on people who have not been playing regularly.
"I think there are several areas there where he has left himself open to criticism if it does not work for him.
"I think maybe he is not quite sure himself and so he has given himself the option of including someone who was not at the front of his mind.
"Only he can tell you that, but you have to go with your gut feeling and he has gone with who he thinks he can trust.
"He is the manager and it is his head that is in the noose if it all goes pear-shaped and it is totally down to him if it does.
"But again I come back to it, we are all football people, and we all see things a wee bit different."
