England Euro 2016 squad: Roy Hodgson's attacking feast does not make up for defensive famine

England's finals squad is imbalanced - but not through erroneous selection on the manager's part

Hodgson will have problems if Dier is forced back into defence (Getty)

There should, at the very least, be no concerns over England’s ability to put the ball into the net at Euro 2016, judging by the attacking talent assembled by Roy Hodgson in his 23-man squad for France.

Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy scored 49 Premier League goals between them last season, Wayne Rooney continues to deliver on the international stage, while Daniel Sturridge and Marcus Rashford will offer mercurial ability and the element of surprise respectively when England embark on their Group B campaign.

Every silver lining has a cloud, however, and while the Class of 2016 arguably possess England’s sharpest cutting edge since Euro 96, the defensive issues which proved so corrosive at the World Cup in Brazil two years ago not only remain, but have arguably been exacerbated due to the dearth of quality in front of goalkeeper Joe Hart.

Hodgson’s squad is imbalanced, not through erroneous selection, but simply due to the feast or famine nature of the players available to the England manager ahead of his third major tournament in charge.

Although England cruised through qualification with a 100 per cent record in Group E, scoring 31 goals and conceding just three, the standard of opposition ensured that Hart and his back four could have travelled to the likes of Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino with more time devoted to sight-seeing than defending.

But in the four preparation games this year -- against Germany, Holland, Turkey and Australia -- England have failed to keep a single clean sheet, conceding six goals in four games.

Rewind to Brazil two summers ago and the same inability bolt the door at the back led to group stage elimination, with both Italy and Uruguay securing 2-1 victories against Hodgson’s men.

Can it be a different story in France?

England will benefit from the injury-enforced absence of Russia’s creative force, Alan Dzagoev, when the two teams meet in Marseille on June 11, but shackling Gareth Bale when they face Wales in Lens five days later will be a challenge due to the lack of international quality at full-back.

England's defence was undone by Luis Suarez at the last World Cup (Getty)

On the right, both Kyle Walker and Nathaniel Clyne lack the defensive discipline required at the highest level, with Danny Rose and Ryan Bertrand also compromised by their inexperience on the international stage with just eleven caps between them.

Slovakia’s Marek Hamsik will attempt to pick holes between England’s midfield and defence in St Etienne on June 20, but while Hodgson’s squad should progress to the knock-out stages, will Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill and John Stones be able to measure up when tested by an Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Muller or Robert Lewandowski?

Mario Balotelli and Luis Suarez proved too hot for England to handle in Brazil, but although Hodgson possesses a world-class ‘keeper in Hart, the defenders in front of him must perform beyond expectations if progression to the semi-finals is to be an achievable objective.

It is a different story at the other end of the pitch, where Hodgson can select from the most in-form group of strikers since Terry Venables had Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Robbie Fowler and Les Ferdinand at his disposal 20 years ago.

Hodgson has every quality he could desire among his front five.

Kane offers goals, strength and awareness as a number nine, Vardy provides blistering pace, Rooney will deliver experience and nous.

Sturridge, who has convinced Hodgson of his fitness despite a lingering calf strain, is regarded as a world-class goalscoring talent by the manager, with the Liverpool forward’s finishing ability without question, while Rashford travels to France in incredible form and with the advantage being able to run directly at defenders either out wide or through the centre.

The loss of Danny Welbeck to injury is a blow due to the Arsenal forward’s unselfish willingness to work for the team up-front, but his loss has been Rashford’s gain and the Manchester United teenager certainly makes up for Welbeck’s absence with his own unique qualities.

Andros Townsend, Hodgson's only out-and-out winner, has been omitted (Getty)

Hodgson’s midfield selections could rebound on the manager, however, due to the risks of taking Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson with the pair only recently returning to fitness following injury -- a ten-month lay-off in Wilshere’s case.

Eric Dier travels as the only specialist holding midfielder, with Danny Drinkwater missing out, and England may face a problem if Dier -- also selected as cover at centre-half -- is forced to drop into defence without on obvious replacement in midfield.

James Milner provides the 7/10 consistency of a player who can take on any role comfortably, if not spectacularly, but while Dele Alli’s youthful confidence will be a huge positive, Ross Barkley’s indifferent form hints at the Everton youngster being fortunate to claim his place in the squad.

Hodgson has retained his faith in Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana, with Andros Townsend missing the cut and leaving the squad without a specialist winger.

But while playing without a traditional wide man may leave England without one weapon in their armoury, it is unlikely to be decisive.

Plugging the holes at the back is the issue and success or failure in France is likely to boil down to the success or failure of the defence.