Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Roy's 23
Published: 14 minutes ago
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN is the shock name in Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2012.
The uncapped Arsenal youngster is joined on the 23-man list by Norwich keeper John Ruddy, Liverpool pair Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing as well as Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 18, has made 26 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners this term.
Boss Arsene Wenger has been reluctant to throw him in at the deep end during his first Premier League season, often using him as an impact sub.
He signed for Arsenal from Southampton in a £15million deal last summer and has become an instant hit with Gunners fans.
His inclusion in the England squad for the first time comes as a surprise with some of the old guard also missing out.
A number of high-profile players, including Rio Ferdinand, have been dropped as Hodgson wielded the axe.
Micah Richards, Phil Jagielka, Aaron Lennon and Peter Crouch were also ommitted, while Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge missed the cut.
Tottenham defender Kyle Walker will also be absent from the tournament after suffering a toe injury in Spurs' final match of the season against Fulham last Sunday.
There is a place though for ex-captain John Terry despite him being accused of racially abusing Ferdinand's brother Anton — a charge he denies.
Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker are expected to battle it out for the captaincy in Poland and Ukraine.
Parker was named captain for England's friendly defeat to Holland in February, when Under-21s boss Stuart Pearce was in temporary charge.
ENGLAND'S EURO 2012 SQUAD:
KEEPERS: Joe Hart, Robert Green, John Ruddy.
DEFENDERS: Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, John Terry, Joleon Lescott, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines.
MIDFIELDERS: Theo Walcott, Stewart Downing, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard, Scott Parker, Ashley Young, James Milner.
STRIKERS: Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe.
No comments:
Post a Comment