Adam Lallana has always seemed likely to be one of Roy Hodgson’s 23-man squad to travel to Brazil since making his international debut in November and his chances of starting in South America, let alone going, have increased dramatically over the last few days.
First of all the Southampton captain was wheeled out in front of the media on Monday to speak about his club team mate Luke Shaw amongst other issues like impressing the England manager.
Yes the Saints skipper was asked to speak to the press with Shaw’s inclusion in mind – who else would know the youngest as well as the Saints captain – but it also shows how highly regarded Lallana is held within the England setup.
The 25-year-old only made his debut for his country four months ago against Chile before making his second appearance versus Germany a couple of days later. Fast-forward to Wednesday and once again the Southampton captain is afforded the chance on the international stage and once again he grasped it with both hands like he had done in particular on his international bow versus Chile.
For sixty minutes against Denmark on Wednesday night England’s performance was dire, even the most optimistic supporter would admit that. Daniel Sturridge had shown flashes, Raheem Sterling was impressive but not much else had happened.
Adam Lallana was then introduced for the injured Jack Wilshere. It was the Saints midfielders third England appearance and with the World Cup just over three months away he delivered the type of performance you would expect from someone much more vastly experienced.
Instantly the 25-year-old was demanding the ball, he wanted to be involved and all of a sudden England were starting to tick. Another substitute was profiting from Lallana’s positive play as it allowed Danny Welbeck to have an effort saved.
England’s performance improved massively following Lallana’s entrance and 22 minutes after he was subbed on the Southampton player assisted the only goal of the game.
A shimmy here, a shimmy there and space inside the box was created for the Englishman – that is a sentence we say all too rarely – and then as if he was a golfer on the 18th the ball was chipped perfectly for Sturridge to nod home.
It wasn’t an easy header for the Liverpool man but it was the kind of chance he had been craving all night and Lallana produced it. The Saints captain had turned a dour evening into a worthwhile one in just half an hour’s work.
He didn’t win the man of the match award but probably should have done for injecting urgency and pace into a drab England performance. It had people on twitter raving, Thursday’s newspaper were filled with acclaim for Lallana and his performance was rightly receiving praise from all corners.
His cameo clearly impressed club team mate Luke Shaw too, who unsurprisingly told Southampton’s official site that;
“Adam is nailed on for Brazil with the way he’s been performing for his club and now his country.
“We know what talent Adam has and he proved it to the world [against Denmark].”
Lallana received more good news on Thursday when it was confirmed that Wilshere would be ruled out for six weeks with a hairline fracture he sustained in Wednesday’s match. Wilshere’s injury means Lallana now has six extra weeks over the Arsenal man to maintain and add to his growing reputation with more impressive performances for Southampton.
It seems increasingly likely that Wilshere and Lallana will be competing for a starting berth in Hodgson’s team, although the pair did play together from the off against Chile.
Wilshere would have been expected to start in a 4-3-3 but if Hodgson wants to try a 4-3-2-1 – a formation that England looked much more suited to on Wednesday – then Lallana could have the edge over the Arsenal midfielder and that was before his fitness issues arose again.
Every time Lallana plays he shows his ability and as he excels as part of a fluid attacking three for his club it would be a big surprise if Hodgson chooses not to play him in a role that suits his game perfectly.
And this is where Wilshere’s injury starts to become key because it may force the hand of the man tasked with taking England to Brazil. Every time Lallana impresses between now and when the Arsenal man returns in six weeks, assuming it is just that duration, the Saints skipper will have an extra tick over his head compared to Wilshere.
In the back of Hodgson and his coaching staffs mind will be ‘how can we leave out a player who impresses every single week for one that is only just returning from injury?’ The England manager has also stated already that he won’t take any unfit players to South America.
As well as remaining fit all year, Lallana has enjoyed a stellar season at St Mary’s scoring seven times and picking up five assists as Mauricio Pochettino’s team find themselves in a comfortable mid-table Premier League position.
What is imperative now for the Southampton captain is to continue his form and show Hodgson and co that he is deserving of a starting position in Brazil let alone a squad place. It is a phenomenal rise for a player who was plying his trade in League One three years ago but the turn of events this week have only added to the growing belief that the Saints star must start in Brazil.
With 96 days left until the World Cup begins Lallana has a huge chance to start for his country on the biggest possible stage. He has taken every opportunity that has come his way in his career so far and you wouldn’t bet against him taking this one too. Come on Roy, start Adam in Amazônia.