The lack of firepower given Wayne Rooney's two-match ban from the start of the finals and the inclusion of 20 million-pound winger Stewart Downing, who did not score or set up a Premier League goal this term, make worrying reading.
France will hardly be quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing Liverpool's misfiring 35 million-pound man Andy Carroll and Tottenham Hotspur's out of practice Jermain Defoe when they meet England in the Group D opener in Donetsk on June 11.
A closer look at England's attacking options suggests it could be.
The forward line will probably be led by Carroll and Defoe, their combination of strength and the Spurs' man's pace and lethal finishing when given a chance to play should be enough to shade the starting places over the inexperienced Danny Welbeck.
However, the England forward line's lack of goals at international level is alarming.
Carroll's return of 11 for Liverpool since his move from Newcastle United in January 2011 and just one for England has been well documented while Welbeck has netted 12 this season.
Defoe's ability is not in doubt, the lively striker has notched 15 international goals in 46 appearances, but he has the unusual distinction of never having played a full 90 minutes for his country.
A glance at England's attacking options from midfield is possibly more worrying.
Uncapped Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's inclusion is a reminder of former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson picking the untried but promising 17-year-old Theo Walcott for the 2006 World Cup only to ignore him through the tournament.
The latest Arsenal prodigy has shown promise this season, enough to put him ahead of Tottenham's Aaron Lennon in the pecking order, and Oxlade-Chamberlain said he was "buzzing" at the thought of representing his country.
"I think I play with no fear, I run at players regardless of who they are and try to make a difference... I will just try and make things happen," he told the Arsenal website.
Manchester City winger James Milner has had a fairly subdued season despite picking up a Premier League winner's medal, so the bulk of the attacking thrust from midfield will fall to old timers Frank Lampard and captain Steven Gerrard.
