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England’s strongest Euro 2016 squad

By Ethan Lowe

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: England manager Roy Hodgson takes his seat for the 2016 UEFA European Championship Squad Announcement at Wembley Stadium on May 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: England manager Roy Hodgson takes his seat for the 2016 UEFA European Championship Squad Announcement at Wembley Stadium on May 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 01: Chris Smalling of Manchester United is challenged by Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on May 1, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 01: Chris Smalling of Manchester United is challenged by Shinji Okazaki of Leicester City during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on May 1, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Chris Smalling and John Stones

This could perhaps be the weakest are of the pitch in my opinion. Smalling has featured in a Manchester United side that are really struggling, and the team have lost out on a Champions League spot in disappointing fashion. Then Stones has been part of an Everton side that finished out of the top-ten.

For me, Smalling is developing into a good commanding central defender, and I can’t deny the improvement he’s making given his added responsibility at United. He is, In my opinion, our first choice.

Stones however, is a great ball-playing central defender, who I feel lacks the intelligence and experience to be outstanding this Euro’s. He’s our second choice because he is a great defender, but he frequently makes mistakes and I can’t help but expect that to cost us.

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