Steve C
The Unfit one!
Agreed. Henderson does absolutely nothing - does drive forwards, doesn't get assists, doesn't score goals...
I think Barkley is a good player, but I wouldn't start him yet for sure especially against teams like Italy and Uruguay where experience is needed.
And you've got to be joking @Steve C, yes I know Johnson isn't the best in the world, but would you really rather play a left-footed inexperienced 18 year old out of position in a world cup?
Don't mean that in a bad way though lol, just my opinion of course
not many of our players have played at a WC anyway, Rooney, Gerrard, Johnson and Lampard are the only ones that played in the last WC so most are new to this kind of thing. And I'd also choose Henderson as he's used to playing with Gerrard and Sterling so the chemistry is good and he did score 5 goals last year and for a central midfielder (it was more than Wilshire, cleverley, young etc.) that's ok and he assisted a lot too. His stamina is good too, he does work a lot and it doesn't get recognised. Also he was the England U21s captain so I think he's as good as any of our young players to bring in to the side!
So tbh id be tempted to play a team that can play well as individuals and their club mates around them, especially Liverpool as their football was excellent this season. I wouldn't be too bothered about the stage as I tell the team I coach to play our own game and not worry about the opposition or the type of game. So yeah I'd play Shaw over Johnson and Barkley as theyre only going to learn if they play a big role, rather than nannying them because theyre young. If they didn't fulfil the role, id change them for someone else.
But yeah opinions are different and everyone's entitled to their point of view