England Calls For Rodriguez And Lallana

Rodriguez has had a strong start to the season.

Southampton duo Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana have both been brought into the England squad for the upcoming friendlies with Chile and Germany.

Both players have had strong starts to the season and join fellow Southampton player Rickie Lambert by earning a call up.

Rodriguez endured a difficult time at the start of last season after his £6million move from Burnley and was even labelled the worst summer signing by some journalists. However he has worked very hard and is now a main stay of the Southampton team. 

Whether they are good enough for International football remains to be seen but this is the perfect opportunity try them out. 

Roy Hodgson confirmed that Joe Hart would start in one of the friendlies despite losing his place at Manchester City recently.  Hodgson confirmed Hart is his number one. Personally I would like to see Fraser Forster in both games. I feel he deserves a chance and should be given game time. It would do Hart good to know his place is under threat for both club and country. 

Looking at the squad a couple of names stand out - but for the wrong reasons. Jordan Henderson and Tom Cleverley for me really do not deserve a place. Neither have had particularly strong starts to the season and feel others could have been given a chance. I honestly feel that if they didn't not play for Liverpool and Manchester United respectively they would not be in the squad. 

Despite this I like the fact that Hodgson is willing to try new players, unlike his predecessor, and gives people a chance who deserve it as this gives hope to others within the Premier League. I hope to see Lallana, Rodriguez, Barkley, Lambert and Forster all getting game time.   

Goalkeepers

Fraser Forster, Joe Hart, John Ruddy.

Defenders

Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Kieran Gibbs, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders

Ross Barkley, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Andros Townsend, Jack Wilshere.

Forwards

Jermain Defoe, Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Daniel Welbeck.