England squad named

Why he took Lampard I have no idea. Rather he took Barry Ffs. Media picked the squad. Left out two best LBs too.

Agree not sure why Lampard is there?

But I think Baines and Shaw were the right options at left back

Stones should have been in over both Jones and Smalling

Baines not international standard. Shaw too young. Gibbs & Cole perfect for the role.

Cole

Gibbs

Cole is past it. What benefit would it be to take him when he wont make the next world cup. Take Shaw give the lad the experience its not like England will win it this year.

By that logic what's the point of taking Lampard? Racism from Roy if I'm brutally honest.

I wouldn't take Lampard either.

Largely agree with the squad, but I think I might have taken Carrick or Barry over Lampard and Stones instead of Smalling. Chamberlain does add something but he's barely played for Arsenal this season. However, definitely best option between him, Lennon and Townsend.

I'm glad there are a few young players in there like Barkley, Shaw (good choice) and Sterling and really glad Lambert made the squad as he is a much better option than Carroll despite being in his 30s. Some people complaining about Milner but he has a lot of qualities that England need like high work rate, versatility and consistency. Whenever he's come on or started for City this season he's never let them down and has featured in the majority of their games. If he's good enough for their squad, he's easily good enough for England's.

Personally, this would be my team for the first game against Italy:
.............................Hart...............................
Johnson.......Cahill.......Jagielka......Baines
...............Henderson......Gerrard................
Sterling...............Rooney................Lallana
..........................Sturridge..........................

Despite what people are saying, I actually think England could do reasonably well. That's a stronger team than we had at the Euros and the last World Cup. Sturridge and Rooney are both top players and capable of scoring and linking up well together, Lallana has had an excellent season and developed into one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League, Sterling's pace and energy will cause no end of problems, Henderson and Gerrard have played week in week out for Liverpool, who have had their best season for twenty years. The defence is the weak area but Cahill and Baines are outstanding, Shaw made the team of the year, and Hart is first chocie for the champions. Obviously I'm being optimistic, but the first team is generally very good. I think England will suffer if any big players (Sturridge, Rooney, Gerrard, Lallana) get injured, because the options on the bench are not as good. However, all things being well, I can see England surprising a few of the critics this summer.

I think that's a very sensible starting 11 for the Italy game, villa1987. Obviously it's a bit on the defensive side, but a draw from that first match would be a good result and settle us into the group nicely. I might even be tempted to play Barkley in the centre of the three and give Sturridge and Rooney half the match each, although that would undoubtedly attract criticism if it failed.