Dominic Fifield

(4-2-3-1): Hart; Walker, Jones, Lescott, Baines; Wilshere, Rodwell; Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Zaha; Welbeck

This team casts aside all the older heads from previous tournaments, and is selected on the assumption that Wayne Rooney is either suspended, injured or retired from international football by the time the tournament begins in Brazil. Which, in his case, does not feel a wild prediction. Instead, creativity would stem from Jack Wilshere at the base of midfield, shielded by Jack Rodwell's energy, and the trickery of Wilfried Zaha – a raw talent who has attracted the Olympic team selectors – and Theo Walcott on the flanks. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will have benefited from his game-time in Ukraine and should become a regular at this level, albeit only if he holds down a place with Arsenal, while Danny Welbeck's game should continue to develop at Manchester United in the years ahead. Joleon Lescott's inclusion is made on the basis of a fine Euro 2012, and Gary Cahill or Chris Smalling might push him close.

Richard Williams

(4-2-3-1): Hart; Richards, Smalling, Jones, Baines; Wilshere, Rodwell; Walcott, McEachran, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Welbeck

As Fabio Capello found, a 4-2-3-1 formation is the best way to disguise England's eternal weakness on the ball. The youngest players – Wilshere, McEachran, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Welbeck – are gifted enough to banish that flaw to the history books, but they will need the right setting, which is not a 4-4-2 with Andy Carroll fighting for long balls. The captain? Joe Hart. It works for Spain with Iker Casillas and Italy with Gianluigi Buffon, although he would be well advised to stop pulling faces at penalty-takers.

Barney Ronay

(4-2-3-1): Hart; Walker, Jones, Lescott, Gibbs; Wilshere, Cleverley; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rooney, Young; Welbeck

This team will not happen. England under Roy Hodgson will most likely continue to play with a four-man midfield. Plus there is no midfield "anchor" here: that player whose job it is to get in the way, eliminate space and set the tone towards frantic deep defence. But how refreshing it would be to see England attempt to defend by keeping the ball from the opposition instead. This may not work either: but it would at least be something different and Wilshere and Cleverley are both neat and measured passers.

Daniel Taylor



(4-2-3-1): Hart; Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Cole; Gerrard, Wilshere; Walcott, Rooney, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Welbeck

It's a team that gives me little confidence anything will greatly change. Cahill and Smalling is a downgrade on central defensive partnerships of the past. Gerrard would be 34, a player on the wane. Cole would be 33. There's an appetite for revolution but it's no use just saying we need to ditch anyone over 30. There has to be a blend, with experience and youth, and it is silly thinking anything else but Wayne Rooney will still be England's best striker in two years time. So much depends on Jack Wilshere. England need players who know how to take care of the ball and, quite frankly, it is alarming that we are pinning our hopes on a 20-year-old who has not played for a year.