Euro 2016: Which England players will be axed and who will fight on?

England's disappointing Euro 2016 exit poses numerous questions but with qualification for the 2018 World Cup beginning in just over two months, Roy Hodgson's successor will have little time to make drastic changes.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jun 2016, 14:14 BST
Updated 28th Jun 2016, 15:38 BST
England players lie on the pitch dejected following their European Championship exitEngland players lie on the pitch dejected following their European Championship exit
England players lie on the pitch dejected following their European Championship exit

With so many young players in the early stages of their international careers it is unlikely there will be a huge difference in those selected to face Slovakia on September 4.

Here is a look at how that England team may line up.

GOALKEEPER

After a poor personal European Championships Joe Hart will have to start the season well under new Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola otherwise further questions will be raised. Stoke's Jack Butland, who missed the tournament with a broken ankle, would likely be the strongest challenger although Southampton's Fraser Forster is also waiting in the wings.

FULL-BACKS

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Sheffield-born Kyle Walker emerged as first-choice on the right but in truth he and Liverpool's Nathaniel Clyne are interchangeable without a noticeable difference. Doncaster lad Danny Rose seems fairly accomplished on the left but is not really being pushed by second-in-line Ryan Bertrand.

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CENTRE-BACKS

Considering the performances of Dronfield's Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling it is probably time for Barnsley-born John Stones to be given a run in the side. He may only be 22 but has displayed a maturity beyond his years in the Premier League and while last season was not his best he has to be a better long-term option than the 30-year-old Cahill, who has won 47 caps but has never really put in a memorable commanding display at international level. Smalling, by virtue of his age (26), is likely to be given a second chance after his first tournament as first-choice.

MIDFIELDERS

Tottenham's Eric Dier showed some potential in his maiden international tournament and has plenty of scope for development. Jack Wilshere, for so long touted as England's great hope, needs to be given a long run in the team - fitness permitting - to see whether he will actually live up to the hype as his showing in France did not suggest that. Creativity was a problem in France and the experiment of playing Wayne Rooney in a deeper role did not work out. That gives the new manager a problem as the likes of Ross Barkley and Dele Alli deserve the opportunity to show they can be a long-term solution.

FORWARDS

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Rooney may be England's all-time leading scorer but it seems to be becoming increasingly difficult to find him a role in the team. As captain his leadership has been questionable and with players like Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and even Jamie Vardy having greater pace to stretch international defences and Harry Kane, despite his poor showing in France, banging in goals at Premier League level it seems more and more as though Rooney is being accommodated.

NEWCOMERS

While the squad is relatively young there is still room for fresh faces and now could be the time to promote more players from the Under-21s, who at least won a tournament this summer after success in Toulon. Arsenal defender Calum Chambers has already had a brief taste of senior international football, Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek was named player of the tournament in Toulon while James Ward-Prowse and new Southampton team-mate Nathan Redmond have served their apprenticeships with the under-21s and have plenty of Premier League experience.

Related topics:EnglandDanny RoseJack WilsherePep GuardiolaRoy Hodgson