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Roy Hodgson was right to pick Marcus Rashford

By Jake Cole

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is watched by Adam Federici of Bournemouth during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford on May 17, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is watched by Adam Federici of Bournemouth during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford on May 17, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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It is just under a month to go until Roy Hodgson and his England team kick off their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia. Monday saw Hodgson announce his delayed 26 man squad. Many did not expect the surprise that Hodgson threw at us all.

Marcus Rashford, the 18-year-old sensation from Manchester United has been given a shock first call up for the provisional 26 man England squad for Euro 2016. It was only in February when Rashford was given his first Manchester United start and he burst onto the scene with four goals in two games, including two goals against Arsenal.

As you will all know, Hodgson will need to cut his squad down to the required 23 man squad before the tournament begins, and it is very likely that Rashford will be one of the three that will be cut from the final squad. However, the other two are quite hard to pick.

Although, I still think Rashford deserves his call up and it was the right decision from Hodgson to put him in his provisional squad. Rashford has burst onto the scene in 2016 and his goals have given Manchester United a breath of fresh air.

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He is up there with Harry Kane and Dele Alli as England’s future and this summers European Championships has been labelled as a building block to the next World Cup.

So putting Rashford in the squad will give him experience into what it is like in the build up of a big tournament. Even if he gets a few minutes in the warm up games, it will be fantastic experience for the young player and he will be able to build on this for next season to continue his development.

If Hodgson is in charge for the next major tournament or not, he is definitely building the foundations of a great team with all England’s fantastic young talent. It has made a huge statement putting Rashford in the squad and I am sure he will play a huge role in the qualification for the next World Cup.

However, Hodgson might even take Rashford to France as a wildcard and he could really burst onto the scene if given the opportunity. Some familiar names were given their chances at major tournaments, Wayne Rooney was given his chance at the age of 18 at Euro 2004 and he didn’t disappoint and not forgetting Pele, who won the World Cup at just 17.

We might just be dreaming, but weirder things have happened (Leicester City winning the league) and it might just give England a breath of fresh air they need at a major tournament.

Many are comparing Rashford’s call up to Theo Walcott’s call up in 2006, however let me just remind you that Walcott was called up just because he was the next big thing despite not playing a minute of football for Arsenal. Rashford might be near the next best thing, but at least he has played some games and proved his worth to be in the squad.

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The summer awaits a huge tournament of football and Rashford might just write his name in history and personally I think Rashford should be in the final 23 man squad as it will give him experience and also he will take his chance if given it on the big stage.

BUT!… Roy, do not let him take a penalty, it will ruin his career forever.