STURRIDGE CHANCE TO GET THE JUMP ON ROONEY
Striker returns to stake claim for place at Euros
ROY HODGSON last night backed daniel sturridge to fire his way into England’s Euro 2016 squad.
The Liverpool striker will play in his first international since september 2014 when he starts against Holland at Wembley tonight.
An impressive display from the fit-again frontman will provide Hodgson with a further selection headache as he finalises his squad for the European Championships.
Harry Kane’s display in the win over germany has already put skipper Wayne Rooney’s position in Hodgson’s plans under a cloud. And another good performance from sturridge tonight would place increased scrutiny on Rooney’s role ahead of the tournament.
‘We’re pleased to have another quality player like daniel knocking on the door, trying to make it clear that he should be the first name on the teamsheet,’ said Hodgson.
‘His ability to manipulate the ball, his footwork and close control in tight situations, his acceleration and striking ability; that’s still there (even after his injury problems).’
With everyone fit, Hodgson is likely to consider six forwards: Rooney — who is currently injured — sturridge, Kane, Jamie Vardy, danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott, to fill five positions in his squad this summer.
given he is not playing regularly, Arsenal striker Walcott could be the one to miss out, but Hodgson added: ‘We know Theo well and we know his qualities. He’s trained very well, and he has seen in the last four years players come in and further increase the competition for places.
‘But I don’t see any reason to dismiss him in any way. At the moment, I’ll be continuing to watch his progress at Arsenal. If everyone is fit, it’ll be tough to make a decision, but why should it be tougher for him than the others? I’ll not give away the pecking order. He’s in the pecking order. If there are too many in that order, I’ll make a choice at some stage as to who stays in.’
Having beaten France and germany, optimism regarding England’s chances at Euro 2016 has rocketed. Hodgson said: ‘Can we win it? It’s the impossible question. Whatever I say, if I say “yes”, then Hodgson thinks we can win the Euros. If I say it’s a tough ask, then Hodgson has no confidence in the team.
‘They haven’t done it yet in a tournament. We still don’t really know how this young group would perform in tournament conditions against much more experienced teams like germany, and France, as the home nation.
‘We just don’t know. But I believe in the team. Absolutely. I believe we’re going to be ready and the players go into games believing they can win, and they’ll go into the tournament believing they can do well. But I don’t know.’
Rooney’s place continues to dominate the agenda given the emergence of dele Alli and Kane as players of genuine international pedigree in the roles he would usually occupy.
Rooney has been sidelined by knee l i gament damage since midFebruary and reports suggest it might be another few weeks before he returns. never the quickest when it comes to rediscovering his best form after a long absence with injury, the Manchester United’s star’s situation should be a cause of some anxiety to the England manager.
sturridge has endured similar difficulties but he appears to have an advantage over Rooney, and it is more than a simple reality that he will be involved tonight while his rival for a place in England’s forward line has to watch from a TV studio.
sturridge, James Milner suggested yesterday, needs about as long as it takes to ‘warm-up’ for his first training session to remind teammates of his considerable ability, and there has been further evidence in the few matches he has so far contested for Liverpool this season.
His future at the club might appear uncertain but, even with such distractions, he still scored a quite beautiful goal against southampton recently.
There was a hint of envy in Milner’s words. A touch of awe, too. But the man who will captain England against the dutch, also spoke with admiration about a striker he has seen at close quarters since his move to Anfield.
‘What impresses me most is how long it takes him to get back up to speed,’ said former Manchester City star Milner. ‘For him, it seems to take a warm-up. His touch is there, he’s chopping, turning players inside out. He’s probably a better trainer than ( sergio) Aguero. studge is sharp in training, can go both ways and score goals.
‘now he just wants to stay fit and keep scoring goals. We’re lucky to have him in the squad. Those sorts of players, there aren’t too many out there who can create something out of nothing.’
sturridge will be looking to remind Hodgson what England have been missing. Remind him, too, why he was such a potent force alongside Luis suarez and why he was able to score 39 goals in just 49 Premier League starts.
Hodgson seemed keen to see him apply a bit of pressure to Kane, the man who would appear to be in pole position for the no 9 shirt.
In attack, Hodgson is spoilt for choice. But he did acknowledge his forwards can be rather fragile— Welbeck returned against germany at the weekend after a 12-month absence — and taking such individuals to France this summer is something of a worry. ‘There’s an element of risk taking any player who has a history of injury,’ he said. ‘I can’t deny that. I can’t deny either that we have to put all factors into the equation when making a final decision.
‘But I don’t see any reason at the moment to doubt the pair of them or their ability and capacity to challenge and show us they’re the best people for the job.
‘But the next few weeks are important for those two, because I’d like to see them get a bit more match play and fitness under their belts.’