Sterling isn't even with the squad now. It'll be a midfield diamond with Jones holding, Henderson and Delph, Rooney in front, Walcott and the new Messiah as strikers.
Obviously the England team is better on paper, but it means absolutely nothing in the context of the game and selection. What England do have now is good depth in attacking positions. Not so much in CM and defence, but for the normal 'WF' option there is Sterling, Walcott, Townsend and Oxlade-Chamberlain, for example, in the 'SS' there is Rooney and Barkley, 'CF' there is Sturridge, Kane and Welbeck.
Edit: I've no idea why people are so mystified about selection for a friendly game just after a qualifier. Italy are missing/excluding Barzagli, Verratti, Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchisio, Thiago Motta, Candreva, De Sciglio, Darmian and Rossi, as well as others who have a higher technical level than those playing (Insigne, El Shaarawy and Balotelli spring to mind, each with their own issues). I'm pretty interested to see how that midfield does.
Obviously the England team is better on paper, but it means absolutely nothing in the context of the game and selection. What England do have now is good depth in attacking positions. Not so much in CM and defence, but for the normal 'WF' option there is Sterling, Walcott, Townsend and Oxlade-Chamberlain, for example, in the 'SS' there is Rooney and Barkley, 'CF' there is Sturridge, Kane and Welbeck.
Edit: I've no idea why people are so mystified about selection for a friendly game just after a qualifier. Italy are missing/excluding Barzagli, Verratti, Pirlo, De Rossi, Marchisio, Thiago Motta, Candreva, De Sciglio, Darmian and Rossi, as well as others who have a higher technical level than those playing (Insigne, El Shaarawy and Balotelli spring to mind, each with their own issues). I'm pretty interested to see how that midfield does.
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