Even with the established academy and history the Hammers have for producing great young English players, Robert Green was the only Hammers player currently in the England set up. Current boss Roy Hodgson has recently given a debut to Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and has been experimenting with the
squad to try figure out what suits the current England side and what style will give England the best chance of competing in the Euros. Many see the Euros as an opportunity for Hodgson to test players who could make the squad when the World Cup comes around again in 2014, hosted by Brazil.
Although there was only one Hammers player in the squad but now obviously Greeno is leaving so the Irons have no representatives but we could see some West Ham players in Brazil, wearing the famous Three Lions in 2014.
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West Ham’s “Hammer of the Year” Mark Noble has represented England at youth level, captaining the U21 side. Noble made 20 appearances for the U21s, scoring 3 goals. However, the Canning Town born midfielder, is yet to make a senior appearance for England. Noble enjoyed a very successful season for West Ham, playing 48 times and scoring 8 goals. He captained the side in the absence of Kevin Nolan and looked very calm in possession when playing in front of the back four or in a more advanced role. The West Ham team under Sam Allardyce lacks creativity and has often called upon Noble to offer an inventive spark and to change the tempo. With the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Scott Parker all first in line for the central midfielder spots, Noble has not been able to break into the England set up. However, these three players are all over 30 and are possibly playing their last few games for their country. It would be highly unlikely that in two years time, these three players would still be first in line for the England squad. Noble will have just turned 27 when the World Cup kicks off in Brazil, which is usually the prime age for a central midfield player and if he shows some of the form
he has enjoyed this season in the Championship on the bigger stage in the Premier League, then perhaps he could earn a place on the plane in 2014. The likes of Wilshere, Rodwell and Henderson
will be the key players in England’s midfield in two years time and it will be very difficult to work his way into the England side, but don’t count him out just yet.
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James Tomkins is two years younger than Noble, however he has shown his defensive qualities this season, earning him a place in the “Championship Team of the Year”. Although Tomkins is only 23, he has already made 104 appearances for West Ham and has also represented the England U21s, earning 10 caps. The six foot four towering centre back has not only shown his defensive ability, but also slotted into the midfield in the absence of Nolan and played in front of the back four. The Basildon born man looked as though he had been playing in that position his entire career and looked very comfortable on the ball, which is becoming more important for centre backs in the modern game as teams try and play more expansively from the back. Tomkins is in a similar situation to Noble, with the likes of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand reaching the ends of their careers. Moreover, if Tomkins can repeat his great season next year in the Premier League, we could see Tomkins playing for the England senior team in the not too distant future.
Could these two Hammers play for England? Can they make the team for the World Cup? Any other West Ham players who could play for England in a few years time? Tweet me @TollyCoburn
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