England should drop Wayne Rooney and Adam Lallana in squad shake-up
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?
GOALKEEPERS
Joe Hart
Had a wretched tournament, erring on Gareth Bale's goal for Wales and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson's winner for Iceland. The Manchester City man had a fine season for his club and has generally been reliable for his country and he is without doubt still among England's three best goalkeepers but, after six years as the first-choice, he should not be an automatic selection anymore.
Verdict: Keep -- but be willing to select Fraser Forster or Jack Butland ahead of him.
Fraser Forster
Blameless for England's Euro 2016 campaign, as he did not take the field. Has some high-profile admirers, reportedly including Chelsea, after his exploits for Southampton and has a part to play in England's future. It is up to him to show the form to ensure he is not a substitute any more.
Verdict: Keep -- and may merit a chance in the World Cup qualifiers.
Tom Heaton
A popular character and a fine shot-stopper, if less adept at gathering crosses. He owed his place in the squad to Jack Butland's injury. The Burnley captain should revert to fourth in line now. He will be loyal enough to serve as a backup when needed.
Verdict: Drop -- though recall when Hart, Forster or Butland are injured.
DEFENDERS
Kyle Walker
Praised for his attacking efforts against Russia and Wales, Walker only really had one piece of defending to do in Euro 2016 and promptly lost Ragnar Sigurdsson for Iceland's equaliser on Monday. It highlighted concerns that, no matter how energetic Walker is, he is not reliable enough defensively.
Verdict: Keep -- but not as first-choice. There aren't many English right-backs so he stays in the squad.
Nathaniel Clyne
A regular for much of the qualifying campaign, he was unfortunate to lose his place for Euro 2016. He played one game in France, when he was man of the match against Slovakia.
Verdict: Keep -- and put him back in the side. He is better defensively than Walker.
Danny Rose
Came from a long way back in the queue to become Hodgson's preferred left-back. Had a brilliant debut against Germany, but never reproduced that form again and did not enjoy a particularly distinguished Euro 2016.
Verdict: Drop -- when fit, Luke Shaw is England's best left-back and there is plenty of competition to be his deputy.
Ryan Bertrand
Only got one game in France and could have been sent off in the 0-0 draw against Slovakia. Has generally been reliable in a stop-start international career, but while Hodgson quite liked him, there is no guarantee a successor will share that view in a rare position where England have strength in depth.
Verdict: Drop -- perhaps harsh, but the preference should be for Aaron Cresswell to understudy Shaw.
Gary Cahill
The vice-captain has been at two tournaments and England's defending has not been particularly distinguished in either. However, he may be saved by a marked shortage of English centre-backs. There is also the possibility that he will benefit from working with new Chelsea manager Antonio Conte: it didn't do Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci or Giorgio Chiellini much harm.
Verdict: Keep -- though perhaps on the bench if John Stones and Chris Smalling are paired in the team.
Chris Smalling
There may never be a manager who likes Smalling quite as much as Hodgson did and the Manchester United man did not repay his mentor in a tournament when he lacked authority. Nevertheless, after years of stagnation and despite some moments where he reverted to the Smalling of old, he improved in his last 14 months under Louis van Gaal and ought to get better again under a defensive strategist like Jose Mourinho.
Verdict: Keep -- England have little choice but to persevere with Smalling.
John Stones
The most naturally gifted English centre-back did not take the field in France but ought to be the first defender on the teamsheet hereafter, particularly once he overcomes the crisis of confidence he suffered as Roberto Martinez's reign at Everton unravelled. A change of management, if not of club, should suit him.
Verdict: Keep -- England's defence ought to be built around Stones.
MIDFIELDERS
Eric Dier
Probably England's best player in France, he showed a hitherto unrecognised ability at set pieces to score a free kick against Russia. As the only specialist defensive midfielder in the squad, he was indispensable and, while Danny Drinkwater could be recalled and Mark Noble belatedly capped, he is much the best in his position.
Verdict: Keep -- potentially one of the most important players for the next manager.
Jack Wilshere
Wasn't fully fit, showing that selecting a player after just 141 minutes of club football all season represents a risk. Was particularly poor against Slovakia and really needs an extended run of games for Arsenal. But while some will make a scapegoat of him, his talent means England cannot afford to ignore Wilshere if and when he is in peak condition.
Verdict: Keep -- England have no one else like him.
Jordan Henderson
Divides opinion but got more right than wrong in his one appearance against Slovakia, even though he, like most other England players, showed he is no set piece specialist. But managers admire his adaptability, his workrate and his unselfishness and he is arguably England's best box-to-box runner.
Verdict: Keep -- but has to prove he is worth a place in the starting 11.
James Milner
Had a disastrous tournament, playing for only three minutes when he was partly to blame for Russia's equaliser in the opening game. There is a case for pensioning him off, at 30 and after 61 caps, but Milner's versatility and willingness should ensure he remains part of the plans.
Verdict: Keep -- Underrated by many, he can still contribute.
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.
Dele Alli
A huge talent, as his outstanding display in the 3-2 friendly win over Germany indicated. Alli did not reach his best in France, but nor was he as bad as many others. He has more of an aptitude for the major occasion than many a timid England player.
Verdict: Keep -- absolutely integral for the new regime. It would help if he is used as a No. 10, as he is for Tottenham.
Ross Barkley
Hard to see why Hodgson took him as he was the only midfielder or forward who was not used. Like Stones, he suffered because of a tough second half to the season at Goodison Park. Like Stones, though, he is one of the reasons to be optimistic about England's future.
Verdict: Keep -- remember how good he was in the first half of last season?
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.
Raheem Sterling
A harrowing tournament. Dropped, booed, scapegoated on social media, the only positive element was that Sterling won the penalty against Iceland. But he is another England player who ought to gain from a new employer: Pep Guardiola will surely make him a better player at Man City.
Verdict: Keep -- Despite recent troubles, footballers of his potential should not be discarded.
STRIKERS
Harry Kane
Won the Premier League's Golden Boot but never got off the mark in the quest for its Euro 2016 counterpart. Another of England's most disappointing players. Strangely chosen to take set pieces, he illustrated he is no expert, but the evidence of the last two seasons is that he is a genuinely fine striker with an excellent attitude.
Verdict: Keep -- but hope Tottenham use him less so he isn't exhausted by the time major tournaments arrive.
Jamie Vardy
Defeat to Iceland probably wasn't in the script for the Vardy movie. The Leicester forward came off the bench to score the equaliser against Wales and, while his other performances were far less effective, his raw pace means he can offer England another dimension.
Verdict: Keep -- he may be the next manager's impact substitute.
Daniel Sturridge
The winner against Wales was evidence of the predatory instincts of England's best natural finisher even if Sturridge, like all too many others, was abject against Iceland. They have to hope he can stay fitter than he has done in the last two years.
Verdict: Keep -- but don't play him on the wing.
Marcus Rashford
The one player who deserves to escape blame for the embarrassment against Iceland. Rashford made a difference twice coming off the bench. Having come from nowhere, he looks like he will not beat a rapid retreat to obscurity.
Verdict: Keep -- A genuine reason to be excited about England's future.
Other players who could make the 2018 squad (if England qualify): Jack Butland, Phil Jones, Michael Keane, Luke Shaw, Aaron Cresswell, Reece Oxford, Mark Noble, Danny Drinkwater, Jesse Lingard, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nathan Redmond, Jordon Ibe, Danny Welbeck.
