England vs Netherlands: Will Daniel Sturridge shine?

Five things to watch out for during tonight's game at Wembley

Roy Hodgson talks with Daniel Sturridge (GETTY IMAGES)

Will Daniel Sturridge shine?

Roy Hodgson rates Daniel Sturridge as the most talented player in the country but he needs a big performance from the striker tonight to justify taking him to France in June. This has been yet another frustrating season for Sturridge, with his injury problems threatening to damage his relationship with Liverpool beyond repair. He has been playing steadily since February, though, and with two goals in his last three games, he is probably sharper than he has been in years. Trusted to lead the line in a 4-5-1 tonight, he would also flourish in a 4-4-2, alongside Harry Kane, to the further detriment of Wayne Rooney. As long as he can stay fit – and we know how hard that is – the rewards are high.

Holland’s new young midfield?

Remember when the Dutch midfield was built on the experience and authority of Nigel de Jong, Mark van Bommel and Wesley Sneijder? That was a very long time ago and tonight, Danny Blind’s side will have a different look. Jordi Clasie will be at the base, with the forward power provided by Giorginio Wijnaldum and Ajax’s brilliant 19-year-old Riechedly Bazoer. Clasie told The Independent last week just how impressed he was with young Bazoer. “He will be an unbelievable player in a few years, he will be at the top,” Clasie said. “He’s got everything that a good midfielder needs: he’s strong, fast, he reads the game and he scores a lot of good goals.”

Last chance for Walcott?

For a player who has been near the top of the English game for almost a decade, Theo Walcott has been unlucky with tournaments. He was injured for the 2014 World Cup, not selected in 2010 and did not feature, despite inclusion, in 2006. The pressure is on Walcott this spring, then, and after a disappointing season with Arsenal – one league goal since December - he needs to sharpen up. England certainly have better strikers, so unless he can show that he can hurt teams, in a way no-one else can, he may have another empty summer.

A competitive atmosphere?

International friendlies are not always as competitive as everyone hopes for but this one should be different. Not only will the whole England team be playing for places in the squad to go to France, but even the Dutch, with their summer off, are desperate to prove a point. “It is difficult that we are not going to France this summer,” manager Danny Blind said. “We have to make a new goal, qualification for the 2018 World Cup. That is the only thing we can do, playing these games in a very, very serious way.”

A happier return to Wembley for Blind?

Dutch coach Danny Blind already has some very clear memories of Wembley. Almost 20 years ago, he was captain of Guus Hiddink’s team which lost 4-1 to Terry Venables’ England, in one of the great displays of England’s modern era. Patrick Kluivert’s late consolation goal helped Holland to qualify, at the expense of Scotland, which means that Blind’s memories of the occasion are not entirely negative. But he will certainly hope for something very different tonight, as will his son, Daley, now wearing the captain’s armband.