Predicting the XI: How England should line up at Euro 2016
With Euro 2016 fast approaching, theScore is taking a fine-tooth comb to a handful of marquee squads, offering our humble opinion on who should make up the starting XI for Germany, France, Spain, England, Belgium, and Italy - the six favourites to hoist the trophy this summer. Who starts, who sits, who gets left home, and, most importantly, why.
Here we examine the options at the disposal of England boss Roy Hodgson.
theScore's starting XI
The least experienced starting XI of one of Euro 2016's favourites, there is a lot of unpredictability and versatility in the Three Lions' most fluid attacking threat in years.
Joe Hart
One of the first names on the team sheet, and for the first time since the 1998 World Cup - when Glenn Hoddle had his pick of David Seaman, Nigel Martyn, and Tim Flowers between the sticks - England has some serious talent in this position.
Joe Hart is backed up by Jack Butland and Fraser Forster, although the former looks to be out of the finals after an unfortunate ankle injury.
Nathaniel Clyne
What Nathaniel Clyne can provide going forward was shown on Saturday, when the Liverpool man breezed down a gap on Germany's left before dispatching a neat cross for goalscorer Jamie Vardy.
The right-back will be in competition with Tottenham Hotspur's Kyle Walker, but Clyne offers more positional sense than his right-back rival which could be invaluable when compensating for a lack of pace in the middle of defence.
Gary Cahill
And here's one defender that is often found wanting for speed.
Gary Cahill does offer a maturity, however, and in theScore's starting XI, he would be second only to Hart in most England caps earned. His experience could be vital.
He gets the nod ahead of Phil Jones, who has suffered a season blighted by injuries at Manchester United, and Everton duo John Stones and Phil Jagielka, who have proved rather accommodating to Premier League attacks this season.
Chris Smalling
The most reliable member of the back four offers a great deal of athleticism, and a calmness on the ball reminiscent of a player that preceded him in both the United and England defences: Rio Ferdinand.
"He's always tight and always around you to stop you from doing your bit on the ball or getting turned," Vardy said of Chris Smalling, who he rated as his toughest opponent in the Premier League.
"It makes it very difficult for you to bring your teammates into the game as well."
Ryan Bertrand
The former Chelsea reject has snuck into contention due to the horrific injuries sustained by Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw, and is expected to battle with Danny Rose for a spot on the left side of defence.
The full-back positions are certainly an area of concern given the lack of experience, and the marauding nature of those who fill those roles, but Bertrand's - and, indeed, Rose's - ability to play in various positions and surge beyond a narrow midfield offers a key threat.
Eric Dier
Yet another versatile operator in Roy Hodgson's XI and one of his most important.
Familiar in defence and midfield, Eric Dier's seamless ability to slot into a back four when either of his Tottenham full-backs joins an attack is likely to be rehashed on the international stage.
He's a precocious talent, displaying a maturity far beyond his 22 years. He's set to shore up England's midfield for many major tournaments.
Jordan Henderson
A dubious pick to start, but a longtime favourite of Hodgson's.
Should he stay injury-free, there is no doubting his consistency and superb discipline in sticking to the role assigned by his gaffer. He's not a wanderer.
After Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, it's hard to make a strong argument for another Liverpool player who has performed better in the midfield, and he would nick a spot ahead of club colleagues James Milner and Adam Lallana.
Ross Barkley
At the insistence of Roberto Martinez, Ross Barkley has put less emphasis on his pass completion, and placed more on incisive balls and pinging shots on net with greater regularity. It's paid dividends at the domestic level.
He strides forward with chest-out confidence and has picked up a commendable eight goals and seven assists in the Premier League. Like Dier, he's still just 22.
His position will be under the most threat from Lallana.
Dele Alli
Finally, an England youngster who looks to be worthy of the hype.
Dele Alli has been so refreshing in the Premier League, playing with the freedom only a teenager trusted in a box-to-box role can. His boyhood hero was Steven Gerrard, and this 19-year-old, under the tutelage of Spurs' boss Mauricio Pochettino and the grandfatherly Hodgson, has the opportunity to surpass those talents.
A sure-fire bet to line up against Russia on June 11.
Jamie Vardy
How can you not pick Jamie Vardy?
Related - VIDEO: Vardy levels in Germany with audacious backheel
His relentless work-rate is infectious and rubs off on his teammates, and in an era marred by Wayne Rooney's insensitive and ignorant condemnation of travelling England fans after yet another drab performance at the 2010 World Cup, Vardy couldn't be more opposite.
He's the poster boy of a generation frustrated by job cuts, teenage pregnancy, and anti-social behaviour orders, but has forced himself into world stardom. England has a star that it can call one of its own.
Harry Kane
The league table doesn't lie, so a Leicester City forward should be partnered by Harry Kane, the Tottenham favourite.
His self-belief sees him bang ferocious efforts on goal with startling consistency, and like much of this new breed, he brings a sensational work ethic to the lineup.
Very much in the same mould as Alan Shearer, although his tight turn and strike against Germany last Saturday would suggest he possesses more intricate footwork than the Geordie great.
Substitutes
Should Butland not recover in time, Burnley's Tom Heaton looks like Hodgson's favourite to step in as third choice. If the narrow midfield is stymied by the opposition, Raheem Sterling, Danny Welbeck, James Milner, and Daniel Sturridge can all offer width from the bench. Due to injuries and the better form of others, skipper Rooney has to be benched.
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Tom Heaton (Burnley)
Defenders: Kyle Walker (Tottenham), John Stones (Everton), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Danny Rose (Tottenham)
Midfielders: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal)
Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
Left Home
Theo Walcott, Phil Jagielka, and Michael Carrick could be among an experienced throng to miss out, but one player who is at risk at watching the tournament on television, despite his exceptional showings for Leicester over 2015-2016, is Danny Drinkwater. Jack Wilshere and Fabian Delph, regular picks for Hodgson when fit, would be further unfortunate exclusions.
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke), Robert Green (QPR)
Defenders: Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Leighton Baines (Everton), Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Midfielders: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Fabian Delph (Manchester City)
Forwards: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Charlie Austin (Southampton)