Four Tottenham Hotspur players will start for England in Saturday’s friendly against Germany in Berlin, a reward for their part in the club’s pursuit of a first league title in 55 years. Danny Rose makes his England debut at left-back, while midfield duo Dele Alli and Eric Dier get the chance to press their claims for a place in manager Roy Hodgson’s plans for Euro 2016 this summer against the reigning World Cup holders in the Olympiastadion.
Harry Kane, the Premier League’s top scorer with 21 goals this season as Spurs lie five points behind Premier League leaders Leicester City with seven games left, leads England’s attack and has the opportunity to cement his place as a starter up front in France. The emergence of 19-year-old Alli, who wins his fifth cap, and the promise of his link with Kane that has been a highlight of Tottenham’s season, has prompted early comparisons with former England captain Bryan Robson.
Hodgson, who gives Stoke City’s Jack Butland the nod in goal ahead of Southampton’s Fraser Forster and will wait until Tuesday’s friendly with the Netherlands at Wembley to give Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater his first England start, said: “I’m impressed with the way Dele has been all season. “Whenever you have a player who is that young, and you recognise the talent despite the fact he is only 19, it is a bold decision to put him in the squad and play him.
“But myself, Gary Neville and Ray Lewington are all convinced he has the capacity and ability to play so we took the chance and have been rewarded.” Hodgson added: “He could do anything in that midfield position. He could be box-to-box, a number 10 or a number 6. He has genuine all-round ability. “He can challenge, run, fight for the ball, see a pass and score a goal. You mention Bryan Robson and that’s the player I’d like to think he can become – but he is only 19 and it is dangerous to make these comparisons. We believe in him. He wouldn’t be in the team if we didn’t.”
Curated from Dele Alli & Harry Kane in England starting XI v Germany – BBC Sport
