If You Were McClaren, What Side Would You Pick?

Christopher Harris

It’ll be a perfect opportunity to test new systems and players. Here’s who I would pick:

Robinson
Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, Bridge
Agbonlahor, Gerrard, Hargreaves, J. Cole
Johnson, Walcott

Robinson needs to play again to regain his confidence. The only change in the back four I would make is to drop the ineffective Ashley Cole. In midfield, I would give Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor (pictured above) his national debut to add width to the England side, with Gerrard in the middle along with the holding midfielder Hargreaves (if fit), and Joe Cole to add a different dimension down the left wing.

Up front, it’s Arsenal’s Theo Walcott to add speed and unpredictability to England’s attack, and Andrew Johnson to rip the Dutch defense apart.

If you were Steve McClaren, what team would you pick against Holland?

200+ Channels & Local Sports
200+ Channels & Local Sports
  • Price: Plans starting at $14.99/mo (Latino)
  • Watch Ligue 1, Copa Libertadores & World Cup Qualifiers
Every MLS Match in One Place
Every MLS Match in One Place
  • Price: $12.99/mo (Now included with standard subscription)
  • Watch every MLS regular season game, Playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
  • Price: $11.99/mo (or ESPN Unlimited for $29.99/mo)
  • Features LaLiga, Bundesliga, FA Cup & NWSL
2,000+ Soccer Games Per Year
2,000+ Soccer Games Per Year
  • Price: Starting at $8.99/mo
  • Features Champions League, Serie A & Europa League
Home of the Premier League
Home of the Premier League
  • Price: Starting at $10.99/mo
  • 175+ Exclusive EPL matches per season
EDITORS’ PICKS

World Soccer Talk © 2025. Made in Florida.

World Soccer Talk, like Futbol Sites, is a company owned by Better Collective. All rights reserved. World Soccer Talk is reader-supported and may earn a commission through our partner links.

Better Collective Logo