England XI selected by statistics includes surprising names

Roy Hodgson names his England squad on Thursday – but who should make the cut according to the statistics?

WhoScored.com have used their unique, statistically-based rating system to pick England’s in-form XI.
How do you think this team would get on in Euro 2016 qualifying?

The Mainsoccer.Com England XI based on stats

Goalkeeper - Rob Green
At the ripe old age of 35, it is doubtful that Green will find a place in an England squad likely to be building towards the European Championships in France in 2016. Nonetheless, his displays in QPR’s relegation battle suggest he may be a worthy call-up. An average rating of 6.72 is the best of English goalkeepers and is thanks largely to the fact he leads the Premier League for saves made, with 108 in 28 appearances for the struggling Londoners, including a league-high 11 from inside the 6-yard box. Clearly his reactions are not deserting him with age, and given Ben Foster’s injury, perhaps Green is in with a chance?

Right back - Nathaniel Clyne
England have long been searching for a long-term solution at right-back – could Clyne be the answer? A vital part of the Premier League’s best defence, the Southampton man has a WhoScored rating of 7.17. His 97 tackles is the joint-most in the whole top flight alongside Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic, while his 56.4 per cent dribble success rate makes him a threat going forwards, too.
Centre back - Chris Smalling

Smalling has become increasingly important to Louis van Gaal as he looks to turn the club’s fortunes around. His recent brace against Burnley gave his average rating a boost, and now, at 7.34, he is among England’s best-ranked defenders. It should be noted that he only makes this XI because of James Tomkins’ (7.46) absence through injury but Smalling’s 88.5 per cent pass success rate highlights how assured he is in possession, while 67 per cent aerial success is also impressive.

Centre back - Phil Jones
United centre-back partner Phil Jones is also amongst the highest rated English centre-backs, with his reading of the game setting him apart from his peers. Jones makes 3.6 interceptions per game, which ranks him second only to Mile Jedinak (3.7) in the Premier League, while he also makes a colossal 6.8 clearances per game, giving him a rating of 7.48.

Left back - Leighton Baines
Despite facing more competition this time around, Baines remains England’s best option at left-back. Only Cesc Fabregas has more Premier League assists than Baines this season (8), and while the defensive side of his game is often overlooked, 3.2 tackles and interceptions per game, on his way to a rating of 7.26, suggests he is worthy of praise without the ball, too.
Right midfield - Raheem Sterling

Sterling has only one goal and two assists in his last eight appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, however, he remains England’s most exciting threat going forwards, with the highest rating (7.42) of all English attacking players. He has registered six goals, seven assists and a Premier League-high (83) successful dribbles in a standout season for the 20-year-old.

Centre midfield - Jordan Henderson
Growing into his role as a leader at Liverpool, Henderson has gone from strength to strength this season, garnering a rating of 7.26 with an impressive tally of seven assists, despite very rarely taking set-pieces and playing with more defensive responsibility than plenty of his other teammates. Henderson – who makes 2.4 tackles per game – scored his third goal in his last three Premier League games to secure victory against Swansea on Monday Night Football.

Centre midfield - Mark Noble
In the team given Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s (7.28) hamstring injury, Noble’s consistency for West Ham has paid off.  His rating of 7.07 is thanks in a large part to the fact that he has won possession in the middle third of the pitch some 74 times across just 20 appearances. Creating 1.6 chances per game, he puts effective service into the box, too.
Left midfield - Ashley Young

Young has enjoyed a renaissance in recent months under Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, recording 1.6 successful dribbles and 1.2 key passes per game. He has shown himself to be adept at full-back this season, too, making 1.5 tackles and 2.1 interceptions per game on his way to a rating of 7.28.

Striker - Wayne Rooney
Rooney had a spell in central midfield for Manchester United this season but, back up front, he has scored five goals in his last six appearances, including a wonderful individual effort against Spurs on Sunday. With 11 goals for the season and averages of 2.3 shots and 1.6 key passes per game, Rooney has demonstrated his importance to United from a forward role.

Striker - Harry Kane
The calls for Kane to get international recognition continue to increase and, with 26 goals in all competitions to his name – the most of all Premier League players – the Tottenham man will be hoping to earn his first cap against Lithuania. Kane has been scoring important goals for Spurs, too, with a league-high 18 points won from his strikes. His work rate is impressive, as well – Kane has won possession in the attacking third of the pitch 18 times this season, a tally amongst the most in the Premier League.

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