All you need to know about Sam Allardyce's first England squad

 

Sam Allardyce has named his first England squad ahead of the September 4 clash with Slovakia.

We take a look at what we can learn from his list.

How different is this to the squad that bombed at Euro 2016?

 

Numerically, there are five changes. James Milner’s international retirement, Marcus Rashford’s selection in the under-21s and Ryan Bertrand’s injury mean only two were any surprise at all. The pool of players knocking down Allardyce’s door is modest and this was never going to be a revolving door selection.

Philosophically, mentally and tactically? We’ll have to wait and see them on the field.

Who are the biggest winners?

 

Michail Antonio’s name stands out like a beacon. He has taken well to life in the Premier League since signing for West Ham a year ago but there was hardly a bandwagon forming around him.

Allardyce has clearly taken note of the qualities he brings to a side and thinks he can use them on the international stage.

Phil Jagielka will also be relieved that he has not been usurped by the younger Michael Keane, Danny Drinkwater now knows he has a chance to become a first-choice player and Theo Walcott must be glad to get yet another chance to reignite a stop-start Three Lions career.

Who are the biggest losers?

 

Ross Barkley has suggested he was disappointed with the lack of faith shown in him by Roy Hodgson at Euro 2016, when he was an unused substitute. A penny for his thoughts, then, after being cast out from the 23 after a strong start to the new campaign.

Jack Wilshere has also been overlooked after two substitute appearances for Arsenal, a sign that he will only figure if fully fit under the new regime, while Fabian Delph and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can take it as read that they have work to do.

Of those who might have hoped for Allardyce’s patronage after serving him at club level both Jermain Defoe and Mark Noble were disappointed.

What role will Wayne Rooney have?

 

That is entirely unclear. Allardyce has not named his captain yet, and will not do so until after the squad meet up at St George’s Park. Rooney’s position on the field is equally uncertain.

Having been deployed as a number 10 by Jose Mourinho this season, effectively ending his time in midfield, Rooney was named in the midfield group rather than the attackers by the FA.