England manager Roy Hodgson had opted for a nice crop of youngsters in the World Cup squad that he announced this week.

I felt he had to include some players because the majority of the English players from a few years ago are getting to that age, although there is still a nice blend of experience there, too, with the likes of captain Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner and goalkeeper Joe Hart. Including young players like Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley is a good thing because it will give them experience and, years down the road, they will benefit from it.

I thought Sterling had a fantastic season with Liverpool and I just hope he goes out to Brazil and has a good World Cup and lives up to the potential we know he has. He is still only 19. I saw him play with the under-17s and I thought he was a talent then.

Only time will tell how the youngsters will perform in Brazil, but they are at the right age and all can play. It’s up to them now, probably something they have been dreaming about for ages and now it’s here. It is not going to be easy and England are in a difficult group with Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica, but it is up to the kids now to prove that they deserve to be there.

Some people were surprised to see Ashley Cole and Jermain Defoe left out, but Roy is the one in charge and he was bold enough to make those decisions and you have to support him. In professional sports, everybody has to call it quits sometime. I’ve always rated Defoe, from the time he was at West Ham.

Moving to the US to play in MLS may have hurt his chances, but then again most of the US national team players are also playing in the MLS and will be going to the World Cup, too. It looks like Louis van Gaal, the Holland coach, will be heading to Manchester United after the World Cup — if recent reports are to be believed. The club have remained silent but an announcement is expected next week. He would be a good fit for Manchester United. He’s a very good coach and I know him personally.

I think he will do a good job: he’s tough, he’s fair and that toughness will probably be new to some of the players, but it’s a part of the game. He’s got the credentials but bear in mind there is no club in the world like Manchester United. Not anyone can manage that club, although van Gaal has done a fantastic job wherever he has been.

Changes are expected at the club, with Ryan Giggs possibly getting a coaching role at Old Trafford, while defender Rio Ferdinand has indicated that he will be leaving the club this summer. Giggs has played in every Premier League season and has been a terrific professional.

I think Rio, at age 35, has made the right decision but another club could use him. He can go out with a bang, having played for one of the best clubs in the world, won caps for England and league championships with United.

The final team to play in the Premier League next season will be determined next Saturday when Queens Park Rangers meet Derby County in the Championship playoff final. It is going to be like a cup final and who wants it the most will get it.

I would like to see my old friend Harry Redknapp take QPR back to the Premier League because he brings a bit of class to the league. I think he was missed in the Premier League this season.

Only time will tell if the three teams coming up will be good enough to stay up. They will have to bring some quality in, if not they could be fighting relegation. Cardiff showed how tough it was by being relegated after just one season.