Because Wales deploy three centre-backs, Hodgson wants pace – which Sturridge has in abundance – while Vardy has dropped down the pecking order following his poor display versus Portugal in the final warmup game.
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But for me it has to be Wayne Rooney.
It is all part of Kane’s insatiable appetite for self-improvement, which is evidenced in the way he has reshaped his body as well as his game to become an England worldwide and a key component of Hodgson’s team.
Peter Glynn is FA Education Content Editor and will be providing comment and analysis throughout Euro 2016. mPeter is the editor of The FA’s coaching magazine, The Boot Room, and holds the FA Advanced Youth Award and UEFA B coaching licence.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Where else to start but with Eric Dier’s punishing free-kick? It is a formation that works for them and threatens to stifle England who will have to find a way to get some crosses into the box or find a way around as well drilled a team as you will find in France. We don’t have much experience in closing out games.
England boss Roy Hodgson has said Kane will continue to take set pieces, claiming he has the “best delivery” in the squad. Also, England will feel an absolute need to win the match since they tied with Russian Federation in their first match while Wales beat Slovakia in theirs. He could play wider in the midfield for England, or behind the No. 10, but that would just be shoehorning him into the team.
I don’t understand that, and I don’t understand Harry Kane taking corners. “He touched the ball more times in the England box”.
If England fail to beat Wales, we could realistically not reach the knockout rounds, so it’s imperative Hodgson picks his best side; and for us – that includes Sturridge – whose goal:minute ratio in the Premier League was actually better than Kane and Vardy’s last term.
Several football personalities have pointed the duo out as the key to any success England might have in France this year, and with good reason.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT: Questions must be asked about Hodgson going into such an important match with a starting XI he has never used before, but his hunch was well served for 45 minutes.
“But there were certainly a lot of things that happened out there tonight to give me a lot of satisfaction”. Both sides press high up the pitch and look to strike quickly after winning the ball. I always felt we’d win, even if maybe they were stronger (better). I don’t think his corners were great.
Kane took as many corners in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Russian Federation – seven – as he did in the whole of last season for Tottenham Hotspur, without enjoying much success.
That really was this England performance; a bit odd.
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We have so many good players, and a wealth of options and tactics to play.
