This is in the news at the moment because Roy Hodgson has just announced that there is still a chance that Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere could still take his place in the England team this summer, despite not having kicked a ball for the Gunners this season.
Wilshere’s latest forecast is that he will be back available in about four weeks time, so he is sure to miss the next two England games, but Hodgson said: “I don’t know why we should be quite as protective as all that. Players are either fit to play or not. Whether they play 30 games, 40 games, 10 games, 15 games, 8 games, I don’t understand that.
“For me it’s all about the class of the player. It’s about who is in form and out of form. Even to some extent I have to rely on others’ judgement on that.
“Form is transient, but class isn’t. We need classy players and players we can trust and players we know what they will give us and players who have the desire, motivation and wish to play for England, to do all that’s necessary.”
Obviously Wilshere has the desire, but injuries and circumstances always seem to get in the way. But even if he does come back there will only be about five games left for him to get match fit, and there is no way Wenger will rush him back, especially if we are involved in a tight finish in the Premier League. So will he go? Possibly as a cheerleader?
So what about our English Core, as Wenger described Walcott, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wilshere when he gave them all new contract 2 years ago. Walcott? Our newly found superstriker who can’t score goals. Has he done enough to earn a place in the squad? Welbeck? Surely the jury is still out until he has many more games under his belt, but I think he will go as he scores many more goals for England than he does for Arsenal!
When the Ox got injured against Barcelona, Wenger spoke out and said “Don’t worry he’ll be ready for the Euros”. Why would he get picked? He has had an awful season. He can’t score goals and has no confidence. Jenkinson? No chance long term injury. Gibbs? Hardly ever plays. Maybe he could be Mr Versatile for emergency substitutions.
When you see the English youngsters at other clubs making a name for themselves, like Vardy, Kane, even young Rashford at United who has scored more goals in two games than Chamberlain has scored all season. Austin, Sterling, Alli, and many other youngsters have come through and made an impact, while our “Golden Boys” seem to have fallen by the wayside.
Which Arsenal players do you think will be in the England squad come June?