As none of the euro squad can be selected what do we think are the chances of any Saints players making Stuart Pearces 23 man squad? We are not awash with british strikers so could Ricky or Adam be in with a shout?
Well, there can only be three over 23 players in the squad, so Ricky and Lallana are out. Cork can play but I would guess he would need a fantastic second half of the season to make it. For the younger guys, I don't think they will get a look in.
Assuming the cut-off date for age qualification is the start of the tournament on July 26, Lallana will be two months too old to get in as an under-23 player, so he's significantly less likely to make the squad. Jack Cork will be young enough, so he's probably the most likely candidate for an Olympic place. Aaron Martin might be in with an outside chance if he plays for the rest of the season and we are promoted. I know he's not our player (yet?) but Gary Hooper, as someone who we have all taken an interest in lately, will be 23 so will be eligible, although his name wasn't mentioned by Lennon when he revealed some of his players had been approached by Pearce. If he keeps scoring at his current rate though, I wouldn't be surprised to see him involved. Iago Falqué could find himself in the Spain squad although competition is pretty hot for that one, they aren't exactly short of players 23 and under (de gea, fabregas, mata, javi martinez, bojan, thiago...)
No need, they have real football to contend with. Saying that, best of luck to the GB team, just hope they can get over all these arguments before it starts.
Heard Tomkins, Collison, Noble, Bale and Ramsey have been asked if they want to play in the under 23 GB team.
Hooper will be 24. To count as U23 you have to be born after 1st January 1989 - http://sport.stv.tv/football/scotland/259389-great-britain-olympic-football-who-is-eligible/
Yeah you're right, my mistake, got my maths wrong. Interesting that the cut-off date is 1st Jan, that rules out a few more players from consideration.
Yeah, he's been saying that for a while. Seems that Giggs might get one of the others: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/london_2012/16591990.stm I guess they're taking the term "over-age players" very seriously!
I think it's interesting as a one-off idea for the games, but I do worry about FIFA pulling out a catch after the tournament declaring that any nations playing in the Olympics as a combined set of nations must stay that way.... never trust that lot.
I'd be really shocked if that happened — I've been telling all my Wales-supporting friends that they're paranoid to worry about it! They'd certainly have a fight on their hands if they tried it, the strength of feeling over the issue here is considerable. I can only imagine what it must be like in Scotland.
Think Cork must be in with a fair shout as he was part of Stuart Pearce U21 squad and is very versatile. Have France qualified as Morgan must be a candidate to feature too. Bale, Chamberlain and Nathan Dyer as a long shot for the ex academy players to feature
France haven't qualified, as they didn't do well enough at the Euro U21s last year. The three European qualifiers (along with GB) are Spain, Switzerland and Belarus(!) Details of other teams here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_at_the_2012_Summer_Olympics_–_Men's_tournament I expect Bale will be there, Chamberlain might be at the Euros, but if not he'll be at the Olympics as well. Dyer is in with a chance I'd imagine if he keeps up his current form.
I think our most likely bet would be Jack Cork, and I would happily let players play in this tournament
