Roy Hodgson believes he has something of an embarrassment of riches when it comes to selecting his full-backs ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
The England manager has Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines competing for the left-back spot, whilst there is Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker in contention on the opposite side.
And with youngsters such as Southampton trio Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers and Nathaniel Clyne all impressing this season, Hodgson is encouraged by the healthy competition that has ensued with places on the plane to Brazil still up for grabs.
Luke Shaw has impressed for England Under-21s and Southampton this season
“The two you have named there [Cole and Johnson] have something like 160 caps between them and we are talking about top class players,” said Hodgson.
“But we have people like Walker and Baines who are also top class players who have played plenty of games and I think you could give me the names of quite a few other full-backs in the country at the moment who are doing well.
“I would say, arguably, that England has not been as well off for full-back choices today than we have been for a long, long time.
“In the past we were spoilt for choice for goalkeepers and debates raged over which one should be in the team and which one shouldn’t.
“Today, we have got to be quite satisfied with the number of full-backs who are available and now we have to wait and see who is going to be available and fit when push comes to shove.”
Calum Chambers in action for England U19s this season
The Southampton players have also given Hodgson food for thought, but with Shaw a regular in Gareth Southgate’s Under-21 squad and Chambers captaining Noel Blake’s U19s as well as competing with Clyne for a spot in the Saints team, Hodgson is keeping an open mind.
“You will have to wait and see,” he added.
“I think of the three, Shaw is the obvious one who has been playing last season and has been in the team non-stop since the start of this season.
“Clyne hasn’t played all the games and Chambers is an U19 international.
“Before we start really delving in the U19 international team, players will have to be really, really special if after two games for England U19s, they are suddenly they are in a World Cup squad ahead of the likes of Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker - I think that is asking a bit too much.”
