Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the World Cup in Brazil has been applauded for its bravery and its mix of youth and experience. So I thought I’d have a go at picking two England teams: the one I actually think is likely to take to the field in Manaus against Italy on June 14, and another that would most benefit the development of an England team capable of challenging for honours in the future.

Team one: Experience

GK. Joe Hart

Despite a little wobble earlier in the season, there isn’t a better keeper in the country right now. Joe’s got the experience, and will be full of confidence after reclaiming his place at Manchester City from Costel Pantilimon and then going on to win the league.

RB. Glen Johnson

Glen has been first choice for a few years now, and it’s easy to see why. His pace, his vision and his energy make him one of the best and most consistent right backs in the Premier League. The fact that the team is likely to be set up as a 4-3-3 also makes his overlapping runs vital to England’s success against Italy. All that being said, I think Kyle Walker would have started if he’d been fit.

LB. Leighton Baines

He’s the best attacking left back in the country by a distance. Luke Shaw will push him close on form, but Baines’ goal threat, his delivery, free kicks and his solidity in defence make him a definite first choice for me. That and the fact he’s a fellow Scouser.

CB. Gary Cahill

Gary has been immense this year and he’s really grown as a player. His experience at the business end of Champions League and Europa League will help him in Brazil.

CB. Phil Jagielka

Phil was a big part of Everton’s success last season. He’s solid, he reads the game well and his partnership with Cahill helped us concede just four goals in qualifying.

CM. Jack Wilshere

A really good player with everything required to become great, he just needs a run of games without injury and the chance to put in some quality displays in an England shirt – just like he did in that friendly at the Maracana. His calmness in possession, his passing and his ability to beat a man in the centre of the park will be a perfect foil for the physicality of Gerrard and Milner.

CM. James Milner

One of the best, and most underrated, midfielders in the country. He offers stability and strength in the centre, and some extra quality from wide areas.

CM. Steven Gerrard

Captain. Leader. Scouser. Shoe in. The deep-lying role he took for Liverpool this year could be the way to get the best out of him in an England shirt. He’ll be able to dictate play and Milner and Wilshere can both sit back a little when he belts forward.

LW. Daniel Sturridge

Sturridge has finally had the season everyone hoped he could have. He’s been a ‘promising player’ ever since he burst on to the scene at Man City. This year he finally found a system that suited him, and a manager who gave him the trust and appreciation he seems to need. Could team up beautifully with Rooney.

CF. Wayne Rooney

How can we not take him? He’s our only true match winner, and having him on the pitch will worry any opponent in the world. He seems determined that this is his opportunity to shine at the World Cup after a few disappointing tournaments. I feel this team, and this system, gives him the best chance to show the world what he can do.

RW. Raheem Sterling

Pace, energy, skill, vision… Sterling seems to have it all. He’s performed at a consistently-high level for Liverpool this season, and he knows how to play alongside Gerrard and Sturridge.

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Team Two: More Youth

If I was picking a team that would perform well in Brazil and that would also prepare the chosen players to excel (and perhaps even win) at future tournaments, I’d play with the same formation, but would make the following changes to the line up.

RB. Johnson out, Walker in

If he was fit, I’d pick Walker ahead of Glen Johnson. He offers a little more going forward, and his age means he can still improve and give England a quality right back for the next three major international tournaments.

CB. Jagielka out, Smalling in

Smalling still has a lot to learn and he needs to work on his consistency for me, but he could become the first choice centre back for England for years to come. He already has big match experience, and good quality on and off the ball. Working with the England set-up, and being coached daily by Louis van Gaal’s team will only do him good.

CM. Gerrard out, Lallana in

Big one this. Gerrard is a top player, but this is very likely to be his last international tournament, and so maybe the time would’ve been right to go for youth? I’d give Rooney the armband, and switch Lallana in midfield. He’s had a great season, and while at 26 he isn’t exactly a youngster, he has at least two or three tournaments in him and offers England a chance of stability and progression over the next few years. His vision, his technical ability, his passing and his ability to nab the odd goal will prove vital for future England teams.

CM. Milner out, Barkley in

For me, Ross Barkley (above in Dublin in 2011) is the most exciting young player in England. He has the physicality, vision, and technical ability to become one of the best England players that we’ve had in a long time. I can’t help but think that a tournament in South America will do his development a world of good, and that he could pull something out of the bag for us in the kind of tight game we’re probably going to have against Italy. He has the talent and the self-confidence to be a game changer for us.
I’m not saying either of these teams can win the World Cup in Brazil, but for me the second team gives us a better hope of winning a World Cup somewhere one day.