Monday 25 July 2016 11:51, UK
Sam Allardyce's appointment as England manager will inevitably have players wondering where they fit into his plans.
But some have already had a clue given Allardyce's vocal views on English football.
As the new national team boss begins work at St George's Park, we pick out five questions facing the new England boss in relation to his plans for the team…
Keen to work with Stones?
Allardyce likes his defenders to defend but that need not be bad news for those who like the ball at their feet. In fact, the new England boss already appeared to have plans for Everton centre-back John Stones even before his appointment - expressing a desire to take him to Sunderland. "I'd like to sign Stones," he said recently.
"I'd teach him how to defend. It would be a simple job for me. That's my area of expertise in many ways. I can coach in all departments, especially team-play but when it comes to defending, you name it, I'll tell you about it. It wouldn't be too difficult to show him, a player of his intelligence, when and where to do things."
Good news for old pals?
Stones might not be the only defender to get a chance to disrupt the established pairings. It's only last year that Allardyce was urging Roy Hodgson to take a look at James Tomkins. "When I look at opponents like Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill," said Allardyce, "I don't see a huge amount of difference when I watch them playing against each other."
As well as Tomkins, there's a feeling that West Ham left-back Aaron Cresswell has been a little unfortunate not to get an England cap and Allardyce could well be the man to change that. Meanwhile, Hammers captain Mark Noble will be hoping that his long wait for international honours might be about to come to an end.
Allardyce pushed for Noble's inclusion during his time as West Ham boss and is also an admirer of Andy Carroll having broken the club record to take him to Upton Park. "When fit, he should be England's regular centre forward," said the 61-year-old manager just last year. Will Allardyce help Carroll make that a reality now he's in the hot seat?
Backing Kane over Rooney?
Allardyce also described Jermain Defoe as a "young, young 33" as he fired Sunderland to safety last season, but whether he will come into England contention remains to be seen. 'Big Sam' has enough to sort out in the forward positions with Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney already in the battle for the starting spots.
Kane might well be encouraged by the fact Allardyce has already compared him favourably with the current England captain. "His rise to prominence has been spectacular," Allardyce told the Evening Standard last year. "It's great for England. He looks as though he might be an even more clinical and natural finisher than Wayne Rooney."
Opportunity for Wilshere?
Jack Wilshere enjoyed some success as a deep-lying playmaker for England during qualifying for Euro 2016 but few will be expecting the Arsenal midfielder to be renewing the role under Allardyce. And yet, the new England manager did defend Wilshere in his Evening Standard column a couple of years ago - albeit with some reservations.
"Steven Gerrard should be an example and inspiration for Jack Wilshere," said Allardyce. "The criticism … was unfair. Whether he makes that holding position in England's midfield his own, it has to be recognised it's difficult - too difficult for some - to change the way you play, especially early in a career. It can be done, though, and Gerrard is the proof."
Protection for Sterling?
Manchester City's Raheem Sterling came out of Euro 2016 with his confidence dented after struggling to find his best form in France and the youngster appears to have become a target for the tabloids. Having played so much football at a young age, Sterling's well-being was already a concern for Allardyce as long ago as 2014.
"There is a danger of over-using young players these days," said Allardyce, quoted in the Daily Express. "People can't understand the mental fatigue for Raheem. There is a huge amount of pressure on him because he is deemed the lifesaver for both club and country at 19 … Raheem could be shot in a couple of years if they don't look after him."
Now Allardyce will share that responsibility.
