With news surfacing that the FA are optimistic about the return of the Team GB football team to the Summer Olympics, we take a look at the XI that could be kicking off at Tokyo in 2020.
As the Olympics is traditionally aimed at amateurs, the Olympic format stipulates that each team may only take three players over the age of 23. In terms of the Tokyo Olympics, this would mean any player born before January 1 1997.
Much like the team representing Britain at the London Olympics, this team is dominated by English youngsters, with two Welsh senior players providing experience and no places for Scottish or Northern Irish youngsters in the starting XI.
Jack Butland (Goalkeeper, Stoke City)
The first of our over 23 players, Jack Butland is a real contender to become England’s number one ‘keeper in the next couple of seasons. With Joe Hart’s career at a crossroads, Butland has gone from strength to strength in recent seasons. It is vital that any team have an experienced shot-stopper, and by 2020, Butland may well be one of the best.
Kyle Walker-Peters (Right-back, Tottenham Hotspur)
No, he is not Tottenham and England star Kyle Walker’s half-brother, but Team GB will be hoping the young right-back can emulate his namesake’s recent form when the Olympics roll round in 2020. Tottenham have high expectations for the young full-back, but with an array of options at the back, the youngster may need to move on to establish himself in English football.
Joe Gomez (Centre-back, Liverpool)
Gomez’s Liverpool career had started so promisingly, but unfortunately for the young defender, an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained whilst representing the England under-21s. Fortunately, the injury has come at a time in his career when he can expect a full recovery. A very accomplished full-back, but equally strong in the middle of the park, Gomez lines up in the centre of our GB defence.
Reece Oxford (Centre-back, West Ham United)
One of the most exciting young talents in English football, Oxford announced himself on the Premier League stage with a man-of-the-match performance against Arsenal on the opening day of last season. Whilst Oxford operated in a central midfield role on that occasion, many see his future as a centre-back.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (Left-back, Wolverhampton Wanderers- Loan, Manchester United)
One of the best things to come out of Louis van Gaal’s reign at Manchester United was the opportunities afforded to young players, and Borthwick-Jackson was one of the stand-outs. A quick and very assured full-back, Team GB will be hoping Borthwick-Jackson can establish himself as a Premier League starter, and a key member of the Olympic team.
Daniel Crowley (Central-midfield, Oxford United- Loan/Arsenal)
Arsenal have very high hopes for this young playmaker and he already appears to have the technical ability to fit the Arsenal mould. With an abundance of midfield talent, and the player currently lacking the physicality for the Premier League, Arsene Wenger opted to send Crowley out on loan for the second time in as many seasons. By the time 2020 rolls around, Arsenal, and England, will be hoping the ex-Aston Villa youngster has grown to a stature befitting his technical prowess.
Aaron Ramsey (Central-midfield, Arsenal)
Running the midfield along with his Arsenal teammate, Aaron Ramsey was a vital player in Wales’ fantastic run at Euro 2016, and was a serious contender for player of the tournament. Ramsey will be 29 by the time by the time the Tokyo games come around, and will likely have the perfect blend on physicality and experience. His engine in midfield will afford partner Dan Crowley the freedom to dictate the games’ tempo.
Gareth Bale (Right Wing, Real Madrid)
Bale is going from strength to strength in the Real Madrid line-up, and it is only a matter of time before he takes Cristiano Ronaldo’s mantel as the star player in Madrid. Bale will be in his 30s by the time Tokyo comes around, but will most likely be at the height of his powers.
Isaiah ‘Izzy’ Brown (Centre Attacking Midfield, Rotherham United- loan/ Chelsea)
After bagging a brace against Wycombe Wanderers in a friendly for Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in July 2014, the then-Blues boss asserted that he would be the only one to blame if Brown did not become a fully-fledged England international. After a loan spell with SBV Vitesse last year, Brown has moved to Rotherham United on loan, as he looks to gain the physicality required to play at the very highest level.
Dominic Solanke (Left-wing, Chelsea)
Highly regarded for his high work-rate, touch, and pace, Solanke spent last season in the Netherlands with Chelsea’s loan school, SBV Vitesse. During his loan-spell, Solanke managed 7 goals in 25 appearances, and Chelsea will be hoping that the youngster can continue his development and become a key player in the future.
Marcus Rashford (Centre-forward, Manchester United)
Marcus Rashford has exploded onto the English football scene, injecting pace and directness into a Manchester United side that had become slow and methodical. With a fearless attitude, and a knack for grabbing a goal no matter what the circumstances, Rashford has forced his way in Jose Mourinho’s side, and looks set to be a key member of the Special One’s first-team squad.
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