Euro 2016: England starting line-up for Russia opener 'leaked' by assistant manager Ray Lewington
Wayne Rooney could play in a central midfield role, according to Lewington's notes
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Your support makes all the difference.England’s tactical plans for this summer’s European Championships may have been inadvertently leaked by Ray Lewington, the national team’s assistant manager.
Lewington was pictured carrying a clipboard while out for a walk with Roy Hodgson, the England manager, on Tuesday, which appeared to show the positions and pecking order of the team’s midfield and attack.
Wayne Rooney, the national team’s captain, was listed in the left-hand side of central midfield alongside Dele Alli, who takes up the right-sided berth.
Jack Wilshere and ‘Milly’ – presumably James Milner – appeared below, though the Liverpool midfielder is also listed as the second-choice right winger, behind Ross Barkley. Eric Dier is the lone holding player.
Both Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy start up front, with Marcus Rashford and Daniel Sturridge in reserve. Raheem Sterling is named on the left wing and is grouped alongside Jordan Henderson, who normally appears in a central role. Adam Lallana’s name does not feature and if this front seven was to be played, England would be left with just three players in defence.
The name 'Ray' or 'Roy' is underlined in the top left-hand corner of the page, while the name 'Gary' - presumably referring to coach Gary Neville - is written underneath.
The unconventional formation, the strange positioning of some players, Milner's duplication and Lallana’s complete absence all suggest that Lewington’s notes are not a final draft - even if they do relate to a potential starting line-up and not, for example, a training exercise.
The Football Association will nevertheless feel embarrassed by the leak, having gone to great lengths to maximise privacy and security around England’s training camp in Chantilly.
Ahead of Saturday’s opening group game against Russia, a ‘privacy’ screen made from blue tarpaulin has been erected to prevent unauthorised persons from watching Hodgson’s training sessions.
The squad will also, reportedly, not train in the stadium before each match as part of their preparations, in order to prevent the opposition from spying on formations and routines.
No defenders or goalkeepers appear in Lewington's notes, though competition for places is not as intense in these positions.
Despite a slight injury scare on Tuesday, Chris Smalling is expected to be available for selection. Danny Rose will start at left-back as Ryan Betrand's recovery from a muscle strain continues.
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