Take your pick

But what if you had to name the squad? And what if you had to name it now?

Over the next two weeks, we'll be putting you on the spot to name your 23, with a chance to win a pair of tickets for England's final World Cup Qualifier against Poland in October.

After Andrew Gill's selection yesterday, the second person to step up to the plate is 23-year-old englandfan James Pickles, a Manchester United fan from Burnley.

Here is James' 23 and his rationale behind each selection.

The Squad

The Reasoning

Goalkeepers

Paul Robinson - currently in the process of establishing himself as England's no.1. We could see this guy join the greats of Banks, Shilton and Seaman over the next ten years.

David James - ex-number 1. On his day as good as anyone. Will be invaluable back-up for Robinson.

Robert Green - luckily for goalkeepers, playing in lower divisions doesn't matter so much as it would for outfield players.

Defenders

Gary Neville - experienced and reliable right-back who wears his heart on his sleeve. Passionate and always willing to go the extra yard.

Jamie Carragher - propelled himself to world-class status with his recent displays for Liverpool's Champions League winning side. A player who has a similar approach to Gary Neville; commitment and passion are two words on everyone's lips when he is the topic of conversation.

Wes Brown - were it not for some unfortunate injuries Wes could be challenging for a central defence place more closely. A more consistent season with Manchester United has seen him get back in the frame. Can also play at right-back.

Rio Ferdinand - world-class defender who has absolutely everything: tall, strong, good in the air, quick off the mark and can also play football too. A potential future captain for both club and country.

John Terry - terrific season which saw him voted PFA Player of the Year. Better than Rio in the air and can score plenty of goals too. A brilliant asset for Sven.

Sol Campbell - had a season dogged by injuries, but once he is fit there is nobody better. A true British Bulldog. He also formed a brilliant partnership with Rio during World Cup 2002. It will prove to be a headache for Sven when deciding who the two central defenders will be.

Ashley Cole - the best left-back in the world, although Carlos and Heinze might have something to say about that; a pacey attacking full back who can get up and down the pitch quicker than you can say 'Ashley Cole has just gone up and down the pitch'.

Wayne Bridge - once fit he will gain his place back, although much will depend on club form.

Midfielders

David Beckham - if you are to win a tournament it certainly helps having a world class free-kick taker. It can literally change a game with the swing of a foot. A captain that leads by example who simply just runs and runs and runs, most notably when he ran ten miles during that famous match against Greece. Who would not want this player in their team?

Shaun Wright-Phillips - will just pip Kieron Dyer into the squad. A future successor to Beckham's right-wing position. He is growing as a footballer every day, and how long will it be before someone snaps him up from Manchester City? He is quick, can put in great crosses and can score from almost anywhere.

Steven Gerrard - his best form has always been for club rather than country, but if he can really turn on the style for England then he's a potential player of the tournament. World Class!

Jermaine Jenas - has the future potential to play at the very highest level but already has good chances of making this squad. An excellent back-up player.

Frank Lampard - won the FWA's Player of the Year award. He epitomises everything good about the game. A brilliant passer who has a thunderbolt right foot, and a pretty decent left foot too. So vital for England's chances!

Phil Neville - a good player to bring on when you're defending a lead. He has similar qualities to his brother. Plays with passion and can certainly 'get stuck in'. His versitality will prove useful for Sven.

Joe Cole - a player who has 'grown up' under Jose Mourinho. An injury to Arjen Robben helped Joe cement his place in Chelsea's Premiership winning side. He has learnt when to use tricks and when to release the ball. His ability to use his left foot equally as well as his right has allowed him to solve England's left side problem.

Kieran Richardson - I wonder what the odds would have been one year ago for this player to make the squad. A loan spell with West Brom allowed him to show the qualities he possesses. All of a sudden England no longer have a left-hand side problem. I reckon he'll either make the breakthrough at Old Trafford or go on loan to West Brom again. Either way, he will be playing more football.

Strikers

Michael Owen - despite not always featuring for Real Madrid, he is still in top form. Every team needs a predator, and we certainly have that in Michael Owen. Do not doubt him for a second.

Peter Crouch - unlikely to be a first team player but he will prove to be a useful sub. In Rooney and Owen we have small strikers but Crouch gives us another option when things aren't quite working.

Jermain Defoe - small, pacey striker with a good eye for goal. Unfortunate that he's playing in an era that includes Rooney and Owen, because were it not for them then he'd be an England regular.

Wayne Rooney - save the best 'til last. People say that he will only get better, but how can he get better than he already is? He has everything you look for in a player: strength, pace, aerial ability, shooting ability, passing ability, creativity, flair and he can literally score from anywhere. All of this for a player who is only 19. Pele and Maradona had great World Cups; this will be Rooney's.

So what do you think of James' squad? Agree? Disagree? Has he made a glaring omission?

If you can do better, send your 23 and the reasons for it to Editor@TheFA.com and, if it's good, we'll run it over the next two weeks. One of the best selectors will win a pair of tickets to England v Poland. So get choosing! Entries accepted until Friday 1 July.

For information on how to join englandfans, the Official England Supporters Club, go to TheFA.com/englandfans.

Past Picks

Monday 20 June - Andrew Gill