All the big guns are set to join England in South Africa after Argentina assured their place in the final 32, with Portugal and France odds-on to make their way past their tricky play-off opponents.
England squads usually feel the brunt of a full English league season, which might go on as late as the 22nd May, and Fabio Capello might have to re-vamp any possible 23 he has in mind at this stage, to make way for injuries.
Injury permitting however the Italian has an excellent group of players to choose from, and like every wannabe manager I’ve had a go at churning out my own version of the squad.
So get ready to sharpen your knives and here we go.
Goalkeepers
David James: - England’s most experienced goalkeeper, and comfortably number one in the side despite being recently overlooked for Robert Green. Important to England’s chances that he brings the same form he’s produced over the past three years as oppose to his ‘calamitous’ side that we saw while he was at Liverpool.
Robert Green: - Even though I’m not a fan of the keeper, it would be naïve of me to suggest that he won’t be in the squad. For his country, apart from the error that could have seen him sent off against Slovenia, he’s been pretty solid, but his day-to-day work with his club worries me.
Joe Hart: - A sure international goalkeeper of the future and the experience of a World Cup at his age and stage will be invaluable. As an England fan I wouldn’t be at all worried if he was introduced as an emergency goalkeeper at some point as his talent is undeniable. His shrewd loan move to Birmingham alone shows his desire to make this squad
Defenders
Glen Johnson: - His defensive abilities have been rightly scrutinised but it seems that his attacking intent will see him start as first choice full back for Capello.
John Terry: - Aiming to become the second England captain to lift the World Cup, and just like Bobby Moore, Terry is the heart and soul of this England side. His fitness is crucial to their chances.
Rio Ferdinand: - Lack of fitness or lack of match practise? Whatever you want to call it Ferdinand is far from his best right now. The worry mainly surrounds his form because of the lack of world-class replacements, and the contrast of the strength and no nonsense approach of Terry with Ferdinand’s composure and pace is difficult to find elsewhere. He’ll make the squad and the team but he must buck up his ideas.
Ashley Cole: - Arguably the best left back in the world right now and he’s one of the first names on the England team sheet. Might be the only solely left-footed left sided player in the squad so his contribution going forward will need to be thorough.
Matthew Upson: - The hard-hitting defender has made himself third choice centre-back and will ably step in if either Terry or Ferdinand is struck down. A certainty who is likely to play second fiddle for the most part in South Africa
Wayne Bridge: - Like Upson is a certainty to be on the plane, but may well not appear in the tournament whatsoever. Solid, if not spectacular left back.
Wes Brown: - Capello seems to see something in Brown that many, including Sir Alex Ferguson, doesn’t. For a long time Brown was the team’s first choice full back ahead of Johnson, and his versatility, including the ability to fill in at centre back will be his trump card and see him creep onto the plane.
Midfielders
Frank Lampard: - After calls for him to be dropped from the England side, his true ability has been summed up in this qualifying campaign as he adapted his style of play to fit in Capello’s 4-2-3-1 formation. His breaking from deep might be un-defendable manoeuvre for most countries.
Gareth Barry: - His defensive minded role means his worth to the side is hugely undervalued, but in a day and age where a holding midfield role is almost mandatory Barry fits the bill perfectly. Another sure starter for the opening group game.
Steven Gerrard: - I still feel he under-whelms too often for his country but his sheer potential to thrill means he shouldn’t be underestimated and should definitely not be excluded. Asked to play out on the left far to often, and it clearly affects his performances. Joe Cole’s return to fitness might interest him.
Theo Walcott: - His hat-trick in Zagreb assured he’d make his second World Cup squad and his electric pace is sure to terrorise defences in South Africa. Whether he’ll be blooded from the start or not is to be decided, as a number of injuries kept him out of the back end of the qualifying campaign.
Owen Hargreaves: - Set to make his comeback from a long term injury next month but his importance to the team, something that we saw in abundance in Germany four years ago is nothing short of unique. If fit, his versatility and high-energy will see him take one the last remaining places, at the expense of his club team-mate Michael Carrick.
Joe Cole: - Another who could make the journey despite seeing a long injury limit his involvement in the qualifying campaign. Is still the solution to England longstanding problem on the left-hand side and has always popped up with important goals. Could make a surprise start if he hits top form.
David Beckham: - Now that Beckham has assured himself a move to AC Milan in January he should be attending his record fourth World Cup. His contribution may well be limited to just a number of late substitutions, but his know-how in pressure filled situations will be crucial.
James Milner: - Several players are fighting it out for this final midfield place, and I expect Milner to kick on this season seal his place in Capello’s squad. With an excellent final ball, the ability to beat a player, being adept with both feet and plenty of experience on the international stage (albeit it with the under-21’s) he’ll be the perfect impact player for England.
Strikers
Wayne Rooney: - England’s irreplaceable player. Rooney has now added more goals to his repertoire. His fitness and form is vital to England’s chances, and no other player can boast their importance to the side more than the Manchester United striker.
Emile Heskey: - He’s been rightly criticised for his goal-scoring form, but his importance to the team goes far beyond his goal contribution. Apart from making space for England’s ‘flair’ players, his work with his back to goal can’t be replicated elsewhere in the squad. The sort of player you need to win big tournaments as he does so much grafting on and off the ball.
Jermaine Defoe: - His two goals in Holland all but assured his place in the squad and his league form suggests the World Cup is coming at the perfect time for the striker. Rumours that he’ll start ahead of Heskey are far from the truth but he’ll be England’s go-to-guy if things go pear shaped.
Peter Crouch: - Reasons for his inclusion are about as long as his 6 ft 7inch frame. His goal scoring record for both England and his club Spurs is excellent for a player who isn’t first choice in either side and I have yet to see a defender deal with his incredible height. Yes the side’s style of play is sometimes affected by his introduction as a substitute but he’s sure to get goals when given a chance.
Micheal Owen: - If fit and getting goals then it’s difficult to see Owen being left out of this England squad. The country’s fourth highest ever goal scorer adds to an already impressive strike force and if anyone has the ability to produce the goods on the big stage then it’s Owen.
As ever there’s players that will miss out. Darren Bent has never quiet cut it in his short International career but maybe deserves a chance in at least one of the remaining warm-up games to reward his good club form. He same could be said about Carlton Cole
Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright Phillips have pace in abundance but loose out to a goal-hungry Walcott, a delivery specialist in Milner and the experience of Beckham, components that both these wingers lack at International level
As for the goalkeepers, Ben Foster has chosen the worst possible season to start making high profile mistakes and it’s obvious he’s not ready to be trusted with a big international in the World Cup.
The tournament has come a bit to early for Adam Johnson, whose form in the Championship has been nothing short of stunning. Expect him to be part of the post-World Cup era.
As ever you’ll all have your separate opinion about who should and shouldn’t go to next years World Cup, and please feel free to post your recommendations, queries and concerns about my squad selection below.
2 comments:
Upson is extremely left footed.
Wasn't quiet what I meant, but the technicality is nevertheless correct
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