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Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere among losers from England games with Germany and Netherlands

ANALYSIS: The winners and losers from England's mixed friendly performances 

Mark Ogden
Wednesday 30 March 2016 12:15 BST
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Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott

England’s friendlies against Germany and Holland gave Roy Hodgson food for thought ahead of the announcement of his Euro 2016 squad on May 12.

Some players booked their tickets to the party, others may now been left in the queue outside, so who were the big winners and losers from Berlin and Wembley?

WINNERS...

DANNY ROSE:

The Tottenham left-back travelled to Berlin as an uncapped rookie, yet he emerged from the two games against the Germans and the Dutch as the man in pole position to claim that spot against Russia in Marseille on June 11. Rose displayed pace, defensive discipline and also provided a useful attacking outlet.

ERIC DIER:

Dier’s man of the match performance against Germany in Berlin, where he scored the winning goal in stoppage time, as good as secured his grip in the defensive midfield position going into the Euros. The Tottenham player’s awareness and use of the ball is impressive, but his height also gives England an option in both penalty areas.

DANNY DRINKWATER:

The Leicester midfielder was outstanding on his debut against the Netherlands, constantly searching for the ball and making himself available for a pass. Reads the game well and showed no sign of being overawed at Wembley. Passing range is another plus point and Drinkwater displayed enough to suggest he can thrive in France.

JAMIE VARDY:

Two games and two goals over the international break for the Leicester forward and they were both top-class finishes. Vardy was also going to make Roy Hodgson’s squad, but his performances against Germany and the Dutch have given him a chance of becoming a starter at Euro 2016.

CHRIS SMALLING:

England’s defensive issues will not be ironed out in the two months before Euro 2016 starts, but Smalling at least offers Hodgson experience, assuredness and consistency at centre-half. The Manchester United defender will be the first name in the back four after his last two performances.

DELE ALLI:

The 19-year-old has much to live up to after stealing the show against Germany with a stunning performance, but he is now a certain starter in France after dispelling any doubts over his quality and temperament in Berlin.

LOSERS...

JACK BUTLAND:

The Stoke goalkeeper faced Germany having closed the gap on England number one Joe Hart, but a freak ankle injury sustained in Berlin has now ended his hopes of playing in France and denied Roy Hodgson the advantage of having two top keepers pushing each other hard for the jersey.

WAYNE ROONEY:

England’s all-time record goalscorer suddenly looks like yesterday’s man with Harry Kane, Danny Welbeck and Jamie Vardy all impressing during the international break. Rooney will be in the squad for France, but his hopes of starting are now in the balance.

(ITV

MICHAEL CARRICK:

At 34, Carrick’s England career appears to be over with Eric Dier and Danny Drinkwater performing so well in his absence against Germany and the Dutch. Carrick’s experience and versatility could yet earn him a ticket to France, but the Manchester United midfielder’s time now seems to be up.

JOHN STONES:

The Everton centre-half has the potential to become a new Rio Ferdinand and England’s dominant defender for the next ten years, but his lapses in concentration have long been a cause for concern and his mistake for Holland’s second goal at Wembley was an example of how the 21-year-old must smooth his rough edges.

THEO WALCOTT:

If Hodgson selects five forwards for France, Walcott risks being the odd man out and his dead leg injury, which denied him a start against the Dutch, could count against him in the final reckoning. He missed the chance to impress at Wembley and others have now moved ahead in the pecking order.

JACK WILSHERE:

Hodgson is desperate to take the injury-ravaged Arsenal midfielder to France, but the performances of Eric Dier and Danny Drinkwater, and also the impression made further forward by Dele Alli and Ross Barkley, may have closed the door for Wilshere. Time is running out fast for the 24-year-old.

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