Manchester United’s in-form midfielder is seen as the perfect candidate to fill the Arsenal’s youngsters boots, but Chelsea’s Frank Lampard is least wanted by England fans.
Earlier this week we asked on HITC Sport who would be the best man to replace Jack Wilshere at Euro 2012, offering a poll on our website.
Assuming Gerrard, Parker and Milner are automatic picks, our options were Paul Scholes, Tom Cleverley, Gary Gardner, Leon Britton, Jake Livermore, Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard.
Here are the full results;
Scholes was voted the clear cut first choice by our readers, with 29 per cent of the vote.
Britton finished in second (21 per cent) and Tottenham’s Livermore on 13 per cent.
Following on it was a close run vote with all four sharing nine per cent of the vote each.
But when the 700 plus votes are counted individually, Cleverley edges Gardner into fourth, Carrick in sixth.
Frank Lampard, an England regular through the years finishes in last place with two votes less than Carrick.
Our analysis: Given Paul Scholes superb form since returning for Manchester United it is no surprise to see fans calling for his return to the England set up. Whether he would though, is another matter. He admitted after World Cup 2010 he regretted turning down Capello’s offer to play, and would have said yes had it not been such a bungled last minute attempt by the Italian. Right now, there is no manager to attempt to convince Scholes, another key failing by the FA.
Few would disagree that Leon Britton does not deserve his chance, given his efforts for Swansea this year. England could certainly do worse. You can understand the lack of enthusiasm for Lampard, a man who has had several chances for England and failed, and fans- who do not expect anything other than a shambles at this point given the lack of direction, would rather the excitement of a youngster like Livermore or fresh face like Britton in there than Lampard. Scholes also counts as a fresh face, given his international retirement in 2004.
Cast your vote by clicking here.
Do you agree with the results? Who should take Wilshere’s place in the squad?
image: © Magnus D
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