Reaping the benefits

Much has been made about football in the Olympics, and Team GB's participation in it.

I myself spoke briefly about this last week - and my interest 'slightly' grew as the ¼ finals kicked in, where both the women suffered defeat! No surprises that the men were again eliminated on penalties, as is often the case with England independently...

Those of an English persuasion that featured in the Olympics could have stolen a march on their rivals with Roy Hodgson, talking to The FA.com, admitting as much.

His main hope is that this also helps push home their chances of regular involvement at club level, which will be needed for them to become regulars with England at senior level: 'most of them are pretty much ready anyway, but one or two of the younger players like Bertrand and Sturridge and like Tom Cleverley may have not been quite so much a fixture in their teams.

'Let's hope the Olympic experience with Team GB has given them a better chance of staking a claim for a regular spot.'

From the sounds of it Ryan Bertrand is in line for his first senior call-up with Daniel Sturridge and Tom Cleverley looking likely to return to the squad for the friendly with Italy in a couple of weeks.

These guys, like Olympic football or not, have benefited from this so their match fitness and sharpness will put them right up there with anyone, arguably above the form of most others so they almost certainly, you would think, will reap the benefits of participating in the games but will others follow...

Vital England on:

Vital England on:

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