Tuesday 5 January 2016 13:43, UK
Dele Alli, Ross Barkley, Jamie Vardy? Ray Wilkins reflects on some standout performances in the Premier League and picks his England starting XI for Euro 2016.
Wilkins, who played 84 times for England between 1976 and 1986, dropped into the Sky Sports News HQ studio to make an early selection for this summer's tournament in France.
The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Milan midfielder included four Tottenham players in his line-up - and feels there also may be a place for a man he compares to Arsenal legend Liam Brady.
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"I think the hype for Dele Alli is justified but let's not get too carried away. He's come in and he's done exceptionally well in his first season. He will be an exceptional player but it's the second year we'll want to study and look at some of these players because that's when it's a difficult quest for them.
"He gives energy, great technique, he's always on the move. He's playing slightly further forward than the normal midfield player in support of Harry Kane. He's a bit of a tough nut, bit of a character and he can finish."
"It will be either Michael Carrick in front of the back four for me or Eric Dier. Dier has been outstanding - he really has played a good season for Spurs and he gives them that reliability. He just sits in front of the back four... if a centre-half gets injured, he can naturally play centre-half so he's a good foil to have in your team.
"At times, it's vitally important [to have an understanding with Alli] especially in the defensive areas. He's a bit like John Obi Mikel, nothing spectacular but he understands the role and he does it to a very good effect."
"If we had a holding midfielder and played a diamond then you could have Dele Alli on one side, Ross Barkley on the other, who's scored six goals already this year, Alli with five... we've got goalscorers breaking from midfield with the reliability of Dier.
"You could actually play someone like Wayne Rooney at the tip but Barkley does have so much ability, not only scoring-wise. He's got great energy, gets around the field and he makes a goal as well, and I've been very impressed with Ross this year. We're going to need midfield players to score in the Euros."
"Jack Wilshere would play for me if he was fit. He'd play for me on the left or right-hand side of a diamond. I feel for Roy Hodgson at this moment in time because he's got some big decisions to make and we're going to leave some talented players out of the team as well.
"Wilshere is the closest thing we've got to Liam Brady and Brady was a magnificent footballer. He's got a fantastic left foot, gets forward, and makes tackles. He makes tackles that he probably shouldn't go in for but he's a very, very talented young man."
"There's no debate [over the starting goalkeeper role], Joe Hart is still the No 1. Jack Butland has been absolutely brilliant but I think that has spurred on Joe, which is an absolute bonus as far as we're concerned because we've got two first-class goalkeepers."
"Kyle Walker or Nathaniel Clyne? They both do similar jobs. With playing a diamond, you've got to rely a lot on the full-backs to get forward. We've seen what quality Leighton Baines can deliver, we've seen the fact that Walker gets down the line as well. Defensively Walker troubles me a touch but Clyne troubles me as well."
"There's no space for Raheem Sterling, though. That means we're spoiled for choice - what a nice position to be in."
