Who Should Be In England's Euro 2012 Squad?

Joe Hart

Robert Green

John Ruddy

Joe Hart is a very good first-choice keeper, who could be England's number 1 not just for Euro 2012 but for the next 10 years, and is up there with some of the best in the world, but if he gets an injury or there is any other reason that he can't play, then the backup available to Roy Hodgson is not great.

However, both Robert Green and John Ruddy have had good seasons for West Ham and Norwich respectively.

Micah Richards

Rio Ferdinand

Gary Cahill

Ashley Cole

Phil Jones

Kyle Walker

Joleon Lescott

Leighton Baines

The first choice back four is a mix, with Ferdinand and Cole providing the experience, and Richards and Cahill the youth.

Ashley Cole has been ever-present in the England defence for the last 11 years and is the most reliable defender available. Cahill has had a good half-season since he joined Chelsea, and both him and Ferdinand are solid centre-backs and good on the ball.

Micah Richards was out of favour with Fabio Capello for some reason, but now Roy Hodgson is manager he should be first choice right back for Euro 2012, after a good season with Manchester City.

Kyle Walker at right-back, Joleon Lescott at centre-back and Leighton Baines at left-back are all reliable cover if injuries mean changes have to be made, while Phil Jones is very versatile, and can play right-back, centre back and centre-midfield.

John Terry should not be in the Euro squad, he is not as good as he was 2 or 3 years ago, has lost his pace and can't play alongside Rio Ferdinand after the racism allegations.

Steven Gerrard

Scott Parker

Michael Carrick

Tom Cleverley

Gareth Barry

Frank Lampard

Scott Parker is the reliable holding midfielder who allows the rest of the team to play, while Carrick is the passer and Gerrard the attacking midfielder.

Gareth Barry, Tom Cleverley and Frank Lampard can all replace them and do the same job, while Phil Jones can play defensive midfielder if needed.

For the last 8 years the dilemma has been over whether Lampard and Gerrard can play together in the same team, and I think, just in time for Euro 2012, we have realised they can't, because they are both such attacking players that they leave the defence too exposed by bombing forward too often.

But they are both past 30 now, and so probably won't be able to play every game, so they can switch when needed.

Theo Walcott

Wayne Rooney

Ashley Young

Danny Welbeck

Grant Holt

Adam Johnson

Rooney is banned for the first two games of Euro 2012, meaning Danny Welbeck will have to lead the line, but Rooney will be straight back in the team for the third game, against Ukraine.

Grant Holt is uncapped but is the 2011-12 season's second highest goal scorer, only Rooney has scored more, so he deserves to be on the plane for Euro 2012.

Young is England's best dribbler, while Walcott has enough pace to threaten any defence, and Adam Johnson can provide cover for either wing.

So that is the 23 man squad that I would take to Euro 2012.

Positions:

3 Goalkeepers

8 Defenders

6 Midfielders

6 Forwards

Players From:

Manchester United: 7

Manchester City: 5

Chelsea: 3

Tottenham: 2

Norwich: 2

West Ham: 1

Everton: 1

Liverpool: 1

Arsenal: 1