As expected, Stuart Pearce has been named as manager of the men's British football team at the 2012 London Olympics and, amid misgivings from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland that their footballing identities will be weakened and overshadowed by an abundance of English players, he has to pick 18 of the Home Nations' finest footballers aged 23 and under – with the exception of three players over 23 by the time the Olympics start at the end of July next year.
It is my opinion that, in order to satisfy all parties, the team selection will have to be inclusive of all four countries while selecting a squad with sufficient depth to challenge the best of the world for the gold medal. Several of the biggest names in Great British football currently have already come forward and stated their enthusiasm for taking part, Gareth Bale and David Beckham among them.
Crucially, however, a sticking point will be the European Championship held in Poland and Ukraine. Many of England's current crop of talented youngsters will be hoping to make the squad and, in a world full of optimism and naiveness, the final of Euro 2012 on 1 July. Already mindful of the lack of rest and recuperation so badly needed in the absence of a winter break in the Premier League, club managers will be reluctant for their English hopefuls to go on and compete in a second tournament so soon after the Euros, and so close to the start of the 2012/2013 season.
With all of this in mind, and ignoring potential injuries and suspensions, try putting yourself in Stuart Pearce's shell suit and pick a squad of 18. I've come up with the below, but see if you can do better.
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Wales, over 23); Ben Amos (England)
Defenders: Kyle Walker (England); Phil Jones (England); Chris Smalling (England); Ryan McGivern (Northern Ireland); Craig Cathcart (Northern Ireland);
Midfielders: David Beckham (England, over 23); Aaron Ramsey (Wales); Darren Fletcher (Scotland, over 23); Gareth Bale (Wales); Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (England); Barry Bannan (Scotland); Cory Evans (Northern Ireland)
Forwards: Daniel Sturridge (England); David Goodwillie (Scotland); Andy Carroll (England); Simon Church (Wales)
It is my opinion that, in order to satisfy all parties, the team selection will have to be inclusive of all four countries while selecting a squad with sufficient depth to challenge the best of the world for the gold medal. Several of the biggest names in Great British football currently have already come forward and stated their enthusiasm for taking part, Gareth Bale and David Beckham among them.
Crucially, however, a sticking point will be the European Championship held in Poland and Ukraine. Many of England's current crop of talented youngsters will be hoping to make the squad and, in a world full of optimism and naiveness, the final of Euro 2012 on 1 July. Already mindful of the lack of rest and recuperation so badly needed in the absence of a winter break in the Premier League, club managers will be reluctant for their English hopefuls to go on and compete in a second tournament so soon after the Euros, and so close to the start of the 2012/2013 season.
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| Wrong kind of shell suit... |
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Wales, over 23); Ben Amos (England)
Defenders: Kyle Walker (England); Phil Jones (England); Chris Smalling (England); Ryan McGivern (Northern Ireland); Craig Cathcart (Northern Ireland);
Midfielders: David Beckham (England, over 23); Aaron Ramsey (Wales); Darren Fletcher (Scotland, over 23); Gareth Bale (Wales); Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (England); Barry Bannan (Scotland); Cory Evans (Northern Ireland)
Forwards: Daniel Sturridge (England); David Goodwillie (Scotland); Andy Carroll (England); Simon Church (Wales)
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