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Roy Hodgson must be pleased with himself after navigating through a most difficult group to qualify for Euro 2016. Now that England have qualified for another tilt at winning a first international tournament since 1966, the former Liverpool manager is looking ahead to being as organised as possible for the finals next summer. A training base has already been selected, but which players will enjoy its luxurious surroundings and offerings next summer?
If he's fit, Daniel Sturridge should easily make England's Euro 2016 squad. The 26-year-old has scored 40 goals in 66 appearances for Liverpool, and it is this record that makes a fully fit Sturridge a fearsome prospect at both club and international level. The problem is actually being fit enough to take to a football pitch, something that the England manager is worried about. Danny Welbeck is another trusted forward who has experienced injury problems in 2015, and while it appears that both would most likely be selected if fit, Hodgson may have to make alternative plans in the event of continuing injury problems.
Well, Welbeck bothers me now. He has already been out for me since March and for Arsenal since April, and now I hear it's another six months. I can only hope that Danny recovers a bit quicker and then hits the ground running. Daniel is a bit the same. It's getting on for a year now [since he played for England]. They are always in my thoughts because I think they're very good players and they did extremely well when they were playing in the national team I was coaching. I've got to make certain that there are a few Vardys and Kanes and Walcotts, because we can't keep going around talking about the ones who aren't there.
Jamie Vardy may be earnest and hard-working and Harry Kane may possess considerable promise, but England's chances of doing anything remotely threatening next summer would be boosted by the presence of deadly finisher who should be entering his prime years. Injuries shouldn't dull the sharpness, speed, movement, and instincts of a striker who has proved his worth. Liverpool and England desperately need him.
