Tuesday 3 March 2015 17:31, UK
The news that there could be a Great Britain football team at the Rio Olympics next year after all has set tongues wagging about which players could form part of a possible squad. But what do the statistics say?
Our partners at WhoScored.com have calculated the top-rated team made up from performers in Europe’s five major leagues.
Players must have been born on or after January 1st 1993 with three additional overage players permitted. The results might surprise you…
Robert Green (QPR)
WhoScored Rating: 6.77
There aren’t many goalkeepers of an eligible age who have featured regularly in Europe’s major leagues with Newcastle’s Jak Alnwick (WhoScored rating of 5.99) the only Premier League player who would qualify. As a result, this is a position in which it pays to turn to an overage player. QPR’s Robert Green is our surprise pick according to the statistics, edging out England No 1 Joe Hart thanks to his performances for the Premier League strugglers.
Calum Chambers (Arsenal)
WhoScored Rating: 6.99
It’s been a steep learning curve for the former Southampton defender since his move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer but Chambers has undeniable promise and makes our Olympic team in the right-back slot. Handed his England senior debut by Roy Hodgson last year, Chambers will be 21 when the action gets underway in Rio in 2016 and with his positional flexibility would be a useful asset to the squad.
John Stones (Everton)
WhoScored Rating: 7.04
After some impressive performances last season for Everton, it’s been a breakthrough season for Stones at Goodison Park in which he’s usurped Sylvain Distin in Roberto Martinez’s first-choice starting line-up. His composure belies his age – Stones will still be just 21 by the time the Olympics come round – and that’s reflected in an encouraging WhoScored rating of 7.04. In fact, that’s the best of any under-age defender.
James Tomkins (West Ham)
WhoScored Rating: 7.51
Eric Dier makes our team in the centre of defence but his WhoScored rating of 6.87 offers the opportunity to upgrade significantly by selecting an overage player in this position. Tomkins has been in fine form for West Ham this season as Sam Allardyce’s team have established themselves in the top half of the Premier League table and his WhoScored rating of 7.51 reflects his contribution. He would also be the only survivor from the London Olympics squad in 2012.
Ben Davies (Tottenham)
WhoScored Rating: 6.92
Competition is fierce at left-back with a home nations tussle for this berth in the team. England’s Luke Shaw and Scotland’s Andrew Robertson each boast compelling cases for their inclusion but it’s a Welshman who gets the nod thanks to a WhoScored rating of 6.92 so far this season. Davies made his full Wales debut as a teenager in October 2012 and will be 23 by the time the Olympics takes place.
Ross Barkley (Everton)
WhoScored Rating: 6.85
With only one goal and one assist from his 19 Premier League appearances this season, some had expected more of Barkley after going to the World Cup as England’s secret weapon last summer. But Barkley remains a prodigious talent and a WhoScored rating of 6.85 puts him in line for a return to Brazil next year as part of our Team GB squad. It’s also a reminder that the Everton man will still be only 22 by the time of the Rio Olympics.
James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
WhoScored Rating: 6.83
Despite being a Premier League regular for the past two years, Ward-Prowse will still only be 21 at the Rio Olympics. The young midfielder is tipped for a bright future for England and has an eye for a killer pass, providing six assists this season. That form has seen Ward-Prowse rewarded with a new five-and-a-half year contract at Southampton as Ronald Koeman's side continue their pursuit of European football.
Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)
WhoScored Rating: 7.72
The highest-rated player in this potential XI and one of three over-age picks, Bale is a leading candidate to captain Team GB in Rio. The 25-year-old enjoyed a successful first year at Real Madrid, scoring in the club's Champions League final victory, but has found life in the Spanish capital tougher in his second season. Despite being booed at the Santiago Bernabeu in recent weeks, Bale has proven his quality with ten strikes and five assists in 22 La Liga matches and will be entering his prime come the 2016 Olympics.
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
WhoScored Rating: 7.38
After representing England at the 2014 World Cup, Sterling could be in line to return to Brazil in 2016. It's unlikely Liverpool would be happy with their young star playing two tournaments in one summer, but Sterling's inclusion would provide a huge boost to Team GB. His form has improved dramatically since the turn of the year in Brendan Rodgers' 3-4-3 formation, with the 20-year-old contributing to more top-flight goals (13) than any other Liverpool player.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
WhoScored Rating: 7.20
Another player who made the cut for England's World Cup squad, Oxlade-Chamberlain failed to make a single appearance at the tournament owing to a knee injury. Along with Sterling, the versatile Arsenal midfielder will expect to travel to France for Euro 2016, but he could potentially be involved in Rio as part of Team GB. The 21-year-old already has 20 caps for his country but will be looking to cement his position in the Arsenal first team over the next 18 months.
Harry Kane (Tottenham)
WhoScored Rating: 7.40
The Tottenham golden boy has enjoyed a meteoric rise this season, scoring 24 goals in all competitions after making the No 9 role his own at White Hart Lane. Kane is likely to be an important part of Roy Hodgson's plans by 2016, but will have only just turned 23 by the start of the Rio Olympics. His keen eye for goal would prove a major asset for Team GB, who scored more than one goal in only one of their four matches at London 2012.
