Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to start his first competitive match for England at Wembley on Tuesday having being warned by manager Roy Hodgson not to let his performance levels slip, reports The Guardian.
Hodgson is planning to hold talks with the Arsenal attacker in an attempt to find out why he allowed an impressive 45 minute display against Moldova to fade in the second half.
The 19-year-old had been one of England’s stand out performer’s during the first half, causing havoc on the left hand side of midfield. However Hodgson was disappointed with the manner in which his performance fizzled out in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
“I thought he’d been very good through that first half,” Hodgson said. “He’d done what we wanted him to do, and what I’d selected him to do, extremely well. But we’d made it clear to him we intended to take him off after 60 minutes, so I think he forgot to play in those first 15 minutes of the second half. That will be an interesting lesson for him as well. Especially when I tell him.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain had admitted in the build up to the game he still has plenty to learn, having only started playing regular first team football with Arsenal at the start of the year. He also revealed he was the first player to receive a telling off from the England boss, for showboating in a training session during Euro 2012.
“I’m the least experienced player here, so just watching everyone in training is an education,” he said. “This is only the start of my career and I can only watch and learn, and keep working hard.
“I’ve always been a relaxed person, but when I get on the pitch I rely on my ability and trust in myself. I can just listen to everyone and any advice or constructive criticism they have I can just take it into account and try to make my game better. It’s nice Roy has put such faith in me so far, but I don’t consider myself an automatic regular starter yet.”
Whilst Chamberlain is set to start, one player who looks set to miss the visit of Ukraine is Chelsea defender John Terry, who picked up an ankle injury during Friday’s 5-0 victory in Moldova. Gary Cahill looks set to partner Joleon Lescott at centre back, whilst Leighton Baines is set to retain his place at left back after the FA confirmed Ashley Cole will not be rejoining the squad having failed to recover from an ankle injury.
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