The BBC is reporting that England manager Roy Hodgson is set to make a drastic overhaul to the squad he brought to the World Cup in Brazil by calling up youngsters Calum Chambers, Danny Rose and Fabian Delph.
All three previously uncapped players are reportedly on Hodgson’s list for the friendly match against Norway on September 3rd and the 2016 European Championship qualifier against Switzerland on September 8th.
Twenty-year old John Stones of Everton, a stand-by for the World Cup squad, is also expected to be named to the team. Hodgson is expected to make the announcement at 7:00am ET on Thursday at which time he’ll also name his captain, expected to be Wayne Rooney.
The decision to bring new blood into the squad follows the summertime announcements of New York City FC midfielder Frank Lampard and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard that they would be retiring from international duty.
The 19-year-old Chambers has impressed at Arsenal since his $26.5 million transfer from Southampton earlier this year. Deployed primarily as a center-back as cover for Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, Chambers possesses the poise, movement and skill to play as a right-back and in the midfield as well. Alongside Stones, Chambers will be seen as the future center-back partnership to succeed the likes of Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill on the national side.
The 24-year-old Rose has done well to work himself into the Tottenham lineup since his loan at Sunderland two seasons ago and now appears to be the first-choice left-back under manager Mauricio Pochettino. His road to claiming a starting spot on The Three Lions will be much more difficult, needing to displace Leighton Baines and Luke Shaw.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the proposed call-ups, however, is the 24-year-old Delph. The Aston Villa midfielder enjoyed a breakout season last year showing the skill, vision and creative abilities that could make him a valuable asset on the national side. His goal-of-the-year candidate against Chelsea will long live in the minds of Villa supporters.
Alongside Jack Wilshere, Ross Barkley, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott the four youngsters will be expected to form the core of what could be England’s new golden era.
