Back in 2006 I was horrified by the England World Cup squad Sven Goran Eriksson announced so I have decided to take matters in to my own hands. My hope is that somehow, someway my advice will find it’s way to Fabio Capello and England’s World Cup dreams and aspirations will come true. So here it is, my England squad that can win the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Goalkeepers:
1 James: More likely to win you a game than loose you a game these days and even at the ripe old age of 39 still capable of making a World Cup winning save. England’s number 1.
13 Robinson: Robbo has had a fantastic season with Blackburn showing the kind of form that won him the place as England’s number 1 at the World Cup in 2006. He is England’s second most experienced goalkeeper and it’s no good throwing in a young kid if James gets injured after 20 minutes of a semi final.
23 Hart: The most talented of all England’s young goalkeepers.
Defenders:
2 Johnson: Growing all the time as a player but his attacking down the right flank is what makes him stand out as England’s first choice right-back. After recently returning from a 3 month injury layoff, Johnson will be looking to rediscover his early season club form in time for the trip to South Africa.
3 A. Cole: Another major injury scare for England happened when Ashley Cole fractured his ankle back in February but thankfully he returned to the Chelsea starting line-up this past weekend and just in time to get a few games under his belt before the preliminary England squad is announced. Remember the days when Ashley Cole more or less got into the England team because he was excellent going forward? Seems like a long time ago now. These days he is a true defender who is very good positionally and excellent in the tackle. One of the best left-backs in the world…..and still good going forward!
5 Ferdinand: Rio’s constant injury problems this season have thrown England in to the midst of a not so mini crisis. Mr Capello’s insistence on only taking fully fit players to the World Cup must cast doubt over Ferdinand’s inclusion but as England captain and one of the finest defenders of his generation the whole country will be hoping Rio can recover in time. Pace, power, great on the ball and vast experience.
6 Terry: Lacking form since shortly after the revelations surrounding his private life emerged. However, love him or loath him JT is a leader of men, something England are short of so it is important that he finds his rhythm soon. Determination, experiences and never say die attitude.
16 King: In my opinion not only England’s best defender but the best defender in world football. He had a bad game against Arsenal at The Emirates in October but that is the first bad game he has had in the last 50. With lightning pace, tackles timed to the microsecond and excellent control of the ball with both feet Ledley can boss any striker. His injuries limit him to one game per week but with the World Cup taking place over four and a half weeks, on paper it looks like Ledley would be able to play in 6 of England’s 7 potential World Cup games. Without his chronic knee problem King could have gone on to eclipse the career of any England defender past or present and would be a definite starter going in to this summer’s tournament…..but let’s face facts, Ledley does have atleast one dodgy knee so it is imperative that the England coaching staff take the advice of the Tottenham Hotspur medical team and manage Ledley properly. Should the worst happen and John Terry and Rio Ferdinand pick up injury’s or suspensions there is no way that England will win the World Cup with any combination of Matthew Upson, Joleon Lescott, Phil Jagielka or Ryan Shawcross. Just look at the recent winners of the World Cup, Italy, Brazil and France…..they could boast defenders like Fabio Cannavaro, Lucio and Marcel Desailly…..if England are to stand a chance, they need to take a chance. For me it’s a no-brainer, Ledley should go to South Africa but because the majority of the English press are so negative they will no doubt say it is a bad move should Capello decide to take him. However, if King plays a significant part in a successful World Cup for England the decision will be seen as a masterstroke and Fabio will be heralded as some kind of modern day Galileo when in reality it is the obvious and correct decision to make. It is true that taking Ledley King is a gamble, sometimes they pay off and sometimes they don’t but one thing you can be sure of is the fact that you can only win if you gamble. It’s better to have Superman in a wheelchair than asking Mr T to fly.
20 Dawson: After starting the season as Tottenham’s 4th choice centre half Michael Dawson showed exactly the kind of commitment and determination England need by working hard and taking his chance when it came along. Now one of the first names on Harry Redknapp’s team sheet, Dawson has been the most consistent English defender this season and fully deserves to win his first International cap in the friendly against Mexico next month.
12 Brown: Kind of lucky to be getting on my plain to South Africa but we need an understudy at right-back. I would normally prefer take a chance on someone like Micah Richards who I think has the potential to go on and become a much better player than Wes Brown but on this occasion I am going against my natural judgment and picking a player who can ‘do a job’ rather than a player who could win you a game just as easily as he could lose it. Just to clarify I am choosing Wes Brown, let’s hope England don’t need to use him.
15 Bridge: I am still optimistic that Wayne Bridge might reconsider his decision to make himself unavailable for England duty. He has vast experience at the highest level and although not up to the standards set by Ashley Cole, Bridge does offer a good alternative. Should Bridge decide not to return I would go with Leighton Baines who had an impressive International debut last month and as well as his defensive qualities shows great ability from set pieces.
Midfielders:
4 Gerrard: What can I say about Stevie G that hasn’t already been said? I could say “He’s rubbish” but that would be a lie. England need at least 3 big games from Gerrard at the World Cup if they are going to win it and for all those who say England have no chance of winning the tornament…..if Steven Gerrard is in your team, you always have a chance. His club form has been under par this season so let’s hope for a role reversal where Stevie plays indifferent for his club and is a world beater for England.
8 Lampard: Frank is proof that hard work pays. He never sits out the friendly games for England like some players, he wants to play every minute of every game…..and wouldn’t it be nice to see him play every minute of all 7 potential England games at the World Cup. Regular scorer of 20 goals per season for club and he is Mr Reliable from the spot Lampard already has 25 goals this term and is a shocking omission from the PFA Team of the Season. Lamps is just as likely to bang one in from 30 yards as he is to slip through an intricate pass to set up someone else. England will be looking for at least 3 goals during the tournament from Lampard on route to World Cup glory.
11 Barry: Many people credit Emile Haskey with helping to get the best out of Rooney, Lampard and Gerrard but I think Gareth Barry is the glue that holds everything together. Let’s get things straight, Barry is a top quality player who can do it all. Centre-back, full-back, wing-back, winger, defensive, central and attacking midfield are all positions Gareth has played during his career…..but why so many positions? Answer: Because he is strong, he can tackle, he can head the ball, he is a good short and long range passer, brilliant at getting on the end of and delivering free-kicks plus he has a good eye for goal. This season Gareth Barry has looked a bit one dimensional but this is because he has had to be the disciplined member of the Manchester City team who has allowed the likes of Craig Bellamy and Shawn Wright-Phillips to bomb forward and support the strikers. Barry can offer something similar to England by lessening the defensive duties of Lampard, Gerrard and Lennon thus giving them more licence to get up the pitch and interact with the forwards. Make no mistake this is a very important, if somewhat unsung role.
7 Lennon: Just like Ashley Cole, Aaron Lennon returned to action last weekend for the first time since 2009 and for the brief time he was on the pitch he looked pretty sharp. He now needs to get a few games under his belt and should be up to speed by the time the World Cup kicks off. Of all the heir apparents to David Beckham’s throne Aaron looks like the player most likely to start on the right for England this summer. He is the only midfielder in the proposed starting line up who possess real blistering pace and this will be key to England’s chances. It has been nice to see Aazza mix things up more in terms of his delivery. We all know he can skin any defender and loves to get to the byline to deliver his crosses but these days he also cuts inside the defender because he is growing more confident with his left foot. A much more intelligent player than when he went to the World Cup in 2006 Lennon now realises that he attracts a lot of attention from defenders who often double up on him so from time to time you should find Aaron playing in the overlapping full-back should that be Vedran Corluka at club level or Glen Johnson with England.
14 J.Cole: England fans have been robbed of seeing Joe Cole for well over a year but before then he had made the left side of midfield his own. Fabio Capello seems somewhat underwhelmed by the mercurial Cole but a look back to the last World Cup where Joe was England’s stand out player should give the England coach a hint, if he needs it, that Joe Cole should be on the plane. Joe is one of few England players who can go past a defender with skill alone and if he can show he is back to his best he will be off to his third World Cup Finals.
17 Milner: I have always likes James Milner but I think his versatility has sometimes held him back however, in terms of a World Cup squad his versatility will be a massive bonus. I have been very impressed with the newly crowned PFA Young Player of the Year for both Aston Villa and England this season. He can play at full-back, centre midfield, both wings or even as a second striker. He is good with both feet but his hard work and desire really stand out. If you had asked me 8 months ago I would have suggested that Milner could be a star of the 2010 World Cup Finals and the only thing that has changed since then is the fact that my opinion now seems to be the consensus among many football fans.
21 Walcott: In 2006 I was gobsmacked to find out that Sven had decided to take Theo Walcott to the World Cup instead of Jermain Defoe, it was a scandalous decision that may or may not have cost us the World Cup that year. Although I personally still think the jury is out on Theo I am prepared to take a leap of faith and include him…..but I would like to think I am making a more informed decision than Sven did back in 2006.
22 Huddlestone: This was a hard choice, I initially chose Michael Carrick but decided that the lack of faith shown in him by Sir Alex Ferguson would surely have dented his confidence. I then decided to take a 5th striker in Darren Bent who has had an amazing debut season in what was a sometimes struggling Sunderland side. I do feel that Darren Bent does deserve to go to South Africa and I believe he would score goals at international level, however after looking at the balance of the squad I decided I had enough firepower in the squad but the midfield was looking a little bit light. Step up Tom Huddlestone. ‘Big’ Tom’s passing ability is unsurpassed in the Premier League and he is also one of the best strikers of the ball but I did use to worry about his ability to get around the pitch. Being a virtual ever present for Spurs this season has helped Huddlestone no end and because he has played more games than ever before his fitness has improved and his mobility issues no longer seem to be a problem.
Strikers:
10 Rooney: I’m sure Wayne has got a twin brother! Whenever I watch him play it seems like there are two of him on the pitch, how often do we see such a supremely skilled player with his workaholic attitude? Wazza is enough to occupy two defenders and still leave them sitting on their backside. Rooney will be desperate to make up for the disappointment of 2006 and something tells me that he might just get some retribution against his old mate Cristiano ‘The Winker’ Ronaldo. Whether Manchester United fans like it or not, Wayne Rooney has been as close to a one man team as it is possible to get. The new PFA Player of the Season is truly awesome so let’s hope his little injury setback offers him a much deserved rest before he continues where he left off just in time for the World Cup.
18 Defoe: Defoe is England’s most natural goal scorer, often hitting the back of the net with little half chances he creates for himself Jermain is just as much of a threat from 2 yards as he is from 22 yards. Electric speed, vicious shooting power with accuracy and twinkle toes to take him past any defender. In my opinion Defoe is still underrated by the English public, put him of the world stage and he will not be overshadowed by anyone. Beardsley and Lineker were one of England’s greatest ever attacking duo’s…..both were of small to average stature but more importantly both were extremely talented footballers. All this “You can’t play with two little men up front” is total nonsense…..good players can play together, end of! What everyone needs to remember is that Rooney is not your normal small player, you are more likely to see Rooney bullying a 6ft 4in centre-half than the other way around. Mike Tyson was one of the smallest heavyweights around at only 5ft 11in yet he managed to become one of the greatest fighters of all time…..it’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, it’s about the size of the fight in the dog!
9 Crouch: 6ft 7in and more likely to score with his ball-bag than his head but Crouchie is the big man England need. Why play Heskey who never scores when you can have Crouch who has a goals per game ratio that is better than 1 in 2 at International level. ‘Big Pete’ can hold the ball up and lay it off well, he causes panic in the oppositions penalty area and he can score every type of goal. He is good at defending his own area from corners and the throw-ins as he showed against Stoke’s Rory Delap earlier in the season and is the type of player every nation wishes they had.
19 Zamora: Not many players make their International debut at the age of 29 and just a few weeks before the start of a World Cup but just as his club side Fulham have defied the odds this season Bobby Zamora is going to have to do the same. He has been in sparkling form over the past 9 months showing good ball control, power, goal threat and excellent hold up play. Zamora is offering himself as a genuine alternative to the goal shy Emile Heskey.
So, Mr Capello, if you are reading this just take on board what I have said and the Three Lions are sure to bring the World Cup home to England…..what do you think?
Harry Federchi.
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