Squad selection suggests Team GB will follow Spain model
Published:As the dust settles regarding David Beckham’s omission from Stuart Pearce’s Team GB squad, the full list of selected players has today been announced, with orthodox strikers scant in number.
Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Micah Richards were, as expected, chosen as the three players over the age of 23 to compete at the Olympics, with the former Wales captains two of five Welsh players selected.
Richards meanwhile is one of 13 English members of the 18-man squad, and he would appear to have little competition for the right-back berth, though Southampton’s Jack Cork has operated there for England under-21s in the past.
A pleasing selection for many is Manchester United’s Tom Cleverley meanwhile, who makes the cut despite missing a large percentage of last season through injury.
He is one of a number of young Premier League talents chosen, and will vie for a central midfield role with Welsh internationals Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, who share Cleverley’s creative playmaker traits.
What also appears striking regarding Pearce’s squad selection is the amount, or lack thereof, of orthodox attacking options.
Whilst Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge, Bolton’s Marvin Sordell, and Swansea’s Scott Sinclair have all been selected, each has operated more readily in wide roles for their clubs over the course of the past season.
Of course, playing a system without an out-and-out striker paid dividends for Euro 2012 champions Spain, and Pearce could be hoping to adopt a similar tactical approach with Team GB.
At the other end of the pitch meanwhile, Birmingham goalkeeper Jack Butland will be the only representative who travelled to the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.
The 19-year-old failed to partake in any games at the tournament, but could be afforded the chance to play here, with Middlesbrough’s Jason Steele the alternative option between the sticks.
Full Team GB squad
J Allen (Swansea), C Bellamy (Liverpool), R Bertrand (Chelsea), J Butland (Birmingham), S Caulker (Tottenham), T Cleverley (Manchester United), J Cork (Southampton), C Dawson (West Brom), R Giggs (Manchester United), A Ramsey (Arsenal), M Richards (Manchester City), D Rose (Tottenham), S Sinclair (Swansea), M Sordell (Bolton), J Steele (Middlesbrough), D Sturridge (Chelsea), N Taylor (Swansea), J Tomkins (West Ham)
