10 Big Questions Raised By England's World Cup Squad

6. Who Will Start Up Front?

It's a safe bet to say Rooney and Sturridge will play major roles in England's front line, although where they end up playing will very much depend on the formation. In a 4-2-3-1, Rooney could feature in the deeper central role while Sturridge leads the line, while in a 4-3-3 it's more likely that Sturridge will be pushed out wide while Rooney spearheads the attack. A 4-4-2 is also a possibility, with Sturridge and Rooney playing as a pair and supported by two wide players from midfield, with Sterling and Oxlade-Chamberlain most likely. This however seems risky as it would mean sacrificing midfield integrity when England's passing has never been especially consistent, allowing the possibility of being overwhelmed on counter-attacks through the centre. The third attacking position could go to Raheem Sterling, who plays in the same team as Gerrard and Sturridge and has seen a drastic improvement in form since the turn of the year. Hodgson could balk at his inexperience and lack of discipline though, favouring Danny Welbeck for his willingness to provide protection for Leighton Baines' overlapping runs. The problem is that Welbeck has struggled to get football even during a season where almost everyone at Man Utd underperformed, and he lacks the directness and speed that Sterling offers in abundance. As with so many other players, much will depend on how well Sterling takes to the conditions: he could easily exhaust himself unless he learns to temper his constant running. Nevertheless, whomever Hodgson selects will be an instructive indication of his approach to the competition.