Competition for England is strong

Everton defender Phil Jagielka is enjoying the strong competition amongst the England team.

While the Football Association celebrate 150 years with a prestigious friendly against Brazil on Wednesday evening at Wembley, the players can use the chance to impress England boss Roy Hodgson.

Jags has been involved in England's last three competitive fixtures despite fierce competition from a variety of different options available to Hodgson.

With the retirement from international football of John Terry, many would have thought that England's defence will have been weakened, but former team-mates Joleon Lescott and Jags have stepped in and impressed while younger prospects Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill have also shown what they can do.

Even Rio Ferdinand has not ruled out an England return at some point.

"The last 12 months have been a bit of a whirlwind, From being in a position where you could pretty much have written down the back four and guessed who was going to be on the bench, now I don`t think anyone is guaranteed to start. Jagielka told The Post.

He continued: "We have four or five really good centre-backs who are competing for both positions.

"It is not even like one central defensive place is nailed down and the other is available.

"I guess that is what the manager enjoys.

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