England’s class of 2016 are destined to be forever remembered as the group that lost to Iceland. Perhaps the most embarrassing defeat in the national team’s history has already ended the England career of manager Roy Hodgson and his assistants Ray Lewington and Gary Neville. But the fallout may not end there.
A new manager will have to decide if others pay the price. A predominantly young squad are not too old to continue but are they the right men?
Wayne Rooney
Was rather overhyped after his first two performances in midfield, then rested against Slovakia and was awful against Iceland. He is far from England’s best striker or No. 10 anymore, which pits him in competition with specialist central midfielders. And Rooney isn’t one yet.
Verdict: Drop — A controversial choice, given he is the record goal scorer, close to the caps record and scores a lot of goals in qualifying, but Rooney is in decline and it is time to move on.
Adam Lallana
Praised for his pressing and enthusiastic contributions in the group games but the reality is that Lallana is rarely the man to make a difference when it matters. He has won 26 caps without scoring: among English forwards or attacking midfielders, only Kieron Dyer or Stewart Downing have won more without scoring. That says something.
Verdict: Drop — At 28, he is not going to get any better. It is time to promote younger players and out-and-out wingers.
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