England's Euro 2016 squad - who's made the grade?

Yesterday, England manager Roy Hodgson named his 23 man squad for the upcoming European Championships in France. As always, an England squad selection was much talked about and much debated. England have failed at major tournaments on a more than frequent basis since their World Cup victory in 1966, and the 50 years of hurt is still felt amongst England fans alike. Full Time takes an in depth look at those chosen to represent England this summer.

Goalkeepers:

Joe Hart

Joe has been a stalwart in this England side for a number of years, and rightly so retains his place surely as England's number one goalkeeper for this campaign. He's had a steady season for Manchester City, with some of his best performances coming in their lengthy Champions League journey, and he will be an asset to Hodgson with experience and an ability to remain calm under pressure. He could be a huge player for England at this campaign, especially with the doubts surrounding the back four in front of him.

Fraser Forster

In any national or club side, you'd find it difficult to displace such a talented and dependable goalkeeper, but Fraser has unfortunately been dealt a difficult hand challenging his compatriot Joe Hart for the goalkeeping position. A period of clean sheets during the middle of Southampton's impressive campaign has given Forster the attention he needed and deserved, and should Hart pick up an injury of underperform, Forster is more than a worthy understudy and replacement.

Tom Heaton

Simply in the squad to make up the goalkeeping numbers, but by no means a poor goalkeeper. Heaton has had a successful season with Burnley, returning to the Premier League at the first time of asking and a trip to the Euro's will undoubtedly cap a good year for the once Manchester United trainee.

Defenders:

Kyle Walker

After a sterling season with Spurs, Kyle will prove an attacking threat at right back for England, and while there were doubts about his defensive capabilities he has proven he can handle both roles as a modern full back. Similarly to Fraser Forster, it is unfortunate for Walker that he has a challenger in fellow right back Nathaniel Clyne for his position, and it would be anyone's guess as to who will start the opening game against Russia in just over a week's time.

Nathaniel Clyne

Another good season for the Liverpool man and he has earned his right to be considered as an established international player. He has great pace, and good delivery, as well as an eye for a tackle and his experience in the Europa League against some of Europe's elite stars will have done him no harm at all. Hodgson seems to slightly prefer Nathaniel over Kyle Walker, but Clyne will offer a great option in defence and attack and won't let down Roy in France this campaign.

John Stones

Arguably one of the most talented defenders to have come through the ranks in recent decades, John has had a tough and gruelling season for an underperforming Everton team. Much has been said about his tendency to make costly mistakes, as well as his persistence in passing out from the back, but his battling performance against Australia suggested there is more to come from the young man and he has a chance of displacing Gary Cahill if he can continue to catch the eye of his manager.

Chris Smalling

Undoubtedly the best of the central defenders in the squad, and the most trustworthy. He's had a fantastic season for Manchester United and been one of the reasons they have conceded so few goals this year. He does have the odd mistake inside his locker and he shall hope to find his best form, as he did for United this season, or England could well struggle to prevent chances on goal this summer.

Gary Cahill

A Hodgson favourite, Gary has had an indifferent and largely disappointing year with Chelsea which has seen his form and, at times, his position slide. He is likely to start alongside Chris Smalling as he has done throughout the qualifying campaign, and when looking at the defence he is the player that casts the most doubt, especially since he has been known to struggle to perform at the highest level.

Danny Rose

Most likely to start at left back for the opener against Russia, Danny has had his best season as a professional and is rightly an important player in this squad. His performances in the recent friendlies, especially in the impressive 3-2 victory away against Germany has caught the eye of many, with his pace and calmness on the ball coupled with his good defensive ability he will be a solid option at left back.

Ryan Bertrand

Another player that has performed strongly for his club, Ryan looks assured and combative when Hodgson has used him. His strong physique and technical ability outshines Danny Rose, and while he may not possess the same defensive solidity, he can deliver a killer cross from open play or from a dead ball situation. Likewise, he is an apt penalty taker and hopefully Hodgson will have that at the back of his mind, should England need to break their penalty taking curse.

Midfielders:

Jordan Henderson

His inclusion has been questioned in some quarters, largely due to the doubts over his fitness but Jordan remains to be a talented midfielder and a Hodgson favourite. Perhaps we've yet to see his best performances in an England shirt and while there is better technically gifted players than himself in midfield, Jordan deserves to be included although he will be an unlikely starter.

Jack Wilshere

It wouldn't be an oversight to suggest that Jack is perhaps one of the most talented individuals England has ever produced. However, Jack has a body made of paper and injuries persist to disrupt and prevent his development. Capable of running a game, finding a killer pass and ghosting past an opposition player, Jack needs a run of games to find his feet after being out for almost the whole of this season. Expect him to start, fitness permitting, and you might just see another golden moment like his two stunning goals away at Slovenia last year.

James Milner

James is a good all-round midfielder and much of his work for his club side and for England goes largely overlooked. He may not possess blistering pace or an eye for goal, but he is neat and tidy in possession, can defend well and has an assured calmness that is much to his credit. He will more than likely take up a place on the bench for the opening game, but depending on opponents and whether England can navigate out of their group, Hodgson may drop him into the line-up as he has done before for a vital game in this campaign.

Eric Dier

Eric began the season as a central defender, and by sure chance of fate and luck, he will end the season and play for England as a holding midfielder. He shone against Germany and netted a wonderful winner with a header in that friendly, and he must be a certain starter. The defence behind him will need shielding, and Dier has the competence and discipline, as he has shown for Spurs all year, to more than capably perform for this England team.

Dele Alli

Starting the season, Dele expected to be a squad player at best for Spurs having made the step up to the Premier League from MK Dons. Nothing could be further from the truth as Dele has transformed into being one England's key players this summer and a certain starter. His link up play with Harry Kane and his tantalising and explosive performances against France and Germany suggests that he cannot be left out in his current international form, and it wouldn't be far fetched to predict that he could light up this European Championships.

Ross Barkle

There are many who believe Ross can go right to the very top and at the start of this season you would likely have agreed with that sentiment. However, a dismal second half of the season for Everton has seen Ross' form dip and he will expect to be a bit-part player in this squad unless he can force his way back into Hodgson's thinking.

Raheem Sterling

A move to Manchester City at the outset of the Premier League campaign in the hope of winning a trophy or two hasn't gone entirely to plan for Sterling, who has had an indifferent campaign and struggled to stamp his mark on a hugely talented squad. However, his inclusion is deserved and in the recent friendlies against Turkey and Australia there were glimpses of his undoubted potential that was once so prominent for both Liverpool and England before his move to Manchester. If Hodgson decides to play a 4-3-3 formation, Sterling would be the likely inclusion as he appears to be the only natural winger included in the squad. He could, as yet, be a vital player for England.

Adam Lallana

His career had appeared to flat-line under Brendan Rodger's, but since the appointment of mercurial German Jurgen Klopp, Adam has found a rich vein of form which helped Liverpool to a Europa League final and a League Cup final. His technical ability at times can be stunning, but he can so often drift through a game unnoticed and for England he has never hit the level of performances that he has found at his club. However, should Hodgson attempt to employ a high press game, Lallana would be the ideal candidate to come into the side and make an impact.

Forwards:

Jamie Vardy

A meteoric rise through the Football League spectrum has caught the hearts of the nation, as Jamie has developed into a pivotal player for Hodgson at this years Euros. Explosive pace, deadly finishing and a working class mentality has enabled Vardy to prove himself for England, netting a stunning backheel goal to draw England level against Germany last month before another classy finish against Holland a few days later. You would hope Hodgson will start him in his favoured centre forward position alongside Harry Kane - Harry even spoke of the relationship he believes they can both forge if started up front - but only time will tell if this will be the case. Make no doubt about it though, Vardy is one of the most in form and prolific players at the Euros, and any opposition is sure to be fearful of the Sheffield born lad.

Harry Kane

Many expected Harry to struggle with second season syndrome this season for Spurs but he has answered those critics in the only way he knows how: goals. Snatching the Premier League Golden Boot award from Sergio Aguero, Kane has positioned himself as England's main striker, and he will certainly start the opening game, and don't be surprised if he gets onto the scoresheet. Blessed with pace, power and precision, Kane can hold the ball up, score goals and effect any game. His link up play is a key to retaining possession for England, and while he may be relatively inexperienced at international level, you'd put your money and house on him to light up this competition.

Daniel Sturridge

Injuries are Daniel's worst enemy, and he's been blighted by another set of injury's this season and has somehow managed to make the plane to France. Arguably the most gifted forward in the squad, Sturridge looked lacklustre and starved of service in the friendly against Holland and will need to showcase his extensive talents in training if he has any chance of displacing Harry Kane or at least Jamie Vardy from Roy's pecking order. Another player blessed with pace and poise, Daniel is a natural born goalscorer and has major international experience with England before, but he may be a bit-part player in this squad judging by his current England form and those of his fellow strikers.

Wayne Rooney

Suggestions that Rooney should not even make this squad are not only foolhardy but quite frankly absurd. While Rooney has not had as good a goalscoring return for his club this season, he piled on the goals for England in their qualifying campaign and overtook Bobby Charlton as England's leading goalscorer against Switzerland last season. As England captain, Wayne's experience, knowhow and flexibility is a wonderful asset for Roy, and he could even fill one of those highly sought after midfield spots for England having impressed there for Manchester United. His goal against Australia off the bench last week was nothing short of explosive, and has reminded his critics that he is still the player that lit up the 2004 European Championships twelve years ago.

Marcus Rashford

Calls for Marcus' inclusion in this squad has grown increasingly rife in the recent weeks and it would appear his fantastic debut and record breaking goal against Australia has influenced Roy to take the young 18 year old Mancunian. In just over three months, Rashford has scored on his United debut, his Premier League debut, his Manchester derby debut, and his England debut and now to cap off an already incredible rise, he has made the plane to his first European Championships. It couldn't be written. While he is likely to play a minimal role at this campaign, he is a viable option to come on late in a game with his blistering pace and lethal finishing. Maybe, just maybe, his greatest exploit to date is just around the corner. Roy will certainly hope so.

My predicted starting 11:

HART

WALKER SMALLING CAHILL ROSE

DIER

ALLI WILSHERE

ROONEY

KANE VARDY

Whoever starts the opening game against Russia, and the subsequent group games, the whole national shall be behind this fresh, youthful England team and while optimism can often disrupt England at major tournaments, there is cause for quiet belief in these unproven but talented footballers.