Eurosport - Mon, 16 Nov 11:12:00 2009
How is the battle for berths in England's World Cup squad shaping up after Saturday's defeat to Brazil in Doha?
DEFINITE
David James - Fabio Capello might have warned him about his fitness, but he is on the plane.
Robert Green - The West Ham man seems the least shaky of James's possible back-ups.
Ashley Cole - Has been superb since that Kazakhstan game. We should boo him more often.
John Terry - Only Wayne Rooney is a bigger certainty.
Rio Ferdinand - As long as his back holds out, Ferdinand will regain his poise.
Glen Johnson - Hardly the ultimate right-back, but streets ahead of his competition.
Frank Lampard - Lampard's enduring quality makes him a certain starter.
Gareth Barry - Has played more under Capello than anybody.
Steven Gerrard - Despite repeatedly missing friendlies, Gerrard is another easy choice.
Jermain Defoe - Sharpness and finishing ability makes him nailed on for a squad berth.
Wayne Rooney - Obviously.
PROBABLE
Ben Foster - He might not look the most solid, but what are the alternatives?
Wes Brown - Despite a nightmare against Brazil, he's the second best right-back.
Matthew Upson - Capello likes the West Ham man, despite a shocker against Brazil.
Joleon Lescott - Next in line as injuries have taken out Ledley King, Phil Jagielka and Jonathan Woodgate.
Wayne Bridge - England need two left-backs, and he's better than Stephen Warnock.
Aaron Lennon - Joe Cole's return and Milner's emergence might just squeeze Lennon out.
David Beckham - Not even slightly mobile, but still England's most accomplished passer.
Michael Carrick - Sits deep and spreads the play - England need his ball-playing ability.
Joe Cole - Will have to prove himself before forcing his way back in.
James Milner - His work rate and versatility make him an ideal squad player.
Theo Walcott - Inconsistent and injury prone, but capable of producing magic.
Peter Crouch - Prolific scoring against lesser nations is an underrated attribute.
Emile Heskey - Will probably leave Aston Villa in January, and needs regular football.
UNLIKELY
Shaun Wright-Phillips - Too many players competing for not enough midfield berths.
Darren Bent - Hard to imagine any situation in which Capello turns to the Sunderland man.
Jermaine Jenas - Only gets on the plane if half a dozen players go down with scurvy.
Gary Neville - Probably too outspoken to make a return to the squad.
Carlton Cole - Not enough quality, although is the natural replacement for Heskey.
Ashley Young - Needs more consistency to make Capello a believer.
Gabriel Agbonlahor - If Walcott gets in, Agbonlahor does not.
Joe Hart - Not bad. Just not quite good enough.
Owen Hargreaves - Clearly has quality, but may not get enough time to convince Capello.
Stewart Downing - His long-term injury has seen him left behind by Milner and company.
Stephen Warnock - Will probably lose a close decision to Bridge.
Michael Owen - Further now from a recall than he has ever been.
POSSIBLE ENGLAND SQUAD
David James, Robert Green, Ben Foster; Glen Johnson, Wes Brown, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Matthew Upson, Joleon Lescott, Ashley Cole, Wayne Bridge; Theo Walcott, David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, James Milner; Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe.
Who do you think should be in England's World Cup squad? Have your say below!
Comment 50 - 69 of 69
ha ha haa is this fobbioo capeloo hmmm...semiz like you know alot ha haaaaa
Owen has to go, his scoring record for England speaks for itself. Beckham has been class in the world cup qualifiers and he adds a spark with his passing ability and can create something out of nothing. If Owen Hargreaves can get fit he must go because he was are most consistent performer, he's needed in the big games defensively and he actually scores his penalties in these competitions. Lennon has no end-product. Glen Johnson can't defend. Carlton Cole has to replace Heskey, he's just an upgraded version with more pace and quality. Rob Green should be our No1 as he has been the most consistent english keeper these last 2 years.
I only reckon, Rooney and John Terry as the ones assured of their places. The rest, any thing can happen.
I think that Kieran Gibbs will be included
Out of the unlikelys i think Hargreaves and Owen should go. Just 2 players that have done so much for the england team every time they play
who cares,the first eleven are to busy worrying about there own ego's to actually perform properly as a team,and the rest look like rabbits in car headlights when they get there chance,if capello can have the balls to drop one of the certanties for the first game i.e beckham,the others might take notice and actually go all the way.
if you want to wipe your a** on your rivals google footballtoiletpaper, you can get Celtic, Rangers, Man U, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, Sunderland, Newcastle, Birmingham and Villa toilet paper
aaron lennon is the number one option on the right wing
MICHAEL OWEN should infact MUST go to the world cup...picture this
93thrd minute...... the refree blows the final whistle and its BRAZIL 2-3 ENGLAND,fantastic game right here in Jo'burg,ENGLAND are through to the finals thanks to MICHAEL OWEN,am sure he will get a start at the finals. Thank you Andy Gray
88th minute.....BECKHAM will take the corner,we all know what he can do.He bends it in the penalty area and Owen with a great header reaches it first and its a GOAL!!!! Great finish,the manager must be congratulating himself.... ENGLAND take the lead
87th minute.....Great save from BEN FOSTER,he throws t to JOHN TERRY,he drives it forward and passes to BECKHAM wow great foot work from the legend,passes to GERRARD,the LIverpool marksman show what he's made off,he shoots from 16 yards but the keeper punches it away for a corner
81th minute..... Lampard cuts through the middle like a knife cuts through butter,he passes to ROONEY and Wolverine finishes it to the lower right corner..........its 2-2,now we are in for a real treat
78th minute.......The keeper is angry at his defenders for sloppy defending but hey this is MICHAEL OWEN,what could they have done,especially with BECKHAM working his magic
77th minute.........Beckham bends it over the defenders and Owen makes the breakthrough,he shoots from 18 yards and its too far for Julio Cesar............its a GOAL!!!!! wow look at Cappelo's smiles
75th minute......... The Manchester man gets his first taste of the game,lets see what he can do,ENGLAND are 2 down and BRAZIL dont look like slowing the pace down
74th minute........Defoe tries to get past Kaka but he stops him with a tackle,he's down and looks injured, who will come in,looks like Owen is warming up on the side line,will he come in for Defoe? We'll wait and see
All you football fans out there.Before you slate Beckham, watch highlights on MLS website and you will see he has been man of the match virtually everytime hes played. He is the best player for the position, after all what has walcott done.
Emails on a postage stamp.
Looking at the predicted squad that could be going to SA after the ones that are expect
to play there' it makes grim reading with those replacements,because there is not that
much quality,just hope england don't end up coming home before the postcards..
Of course Lennon's on the plane, he's just been getting better and better. Wait until Modric returns to full fitness and then see how they terrorise defences for Spurs. He also gives more delicate play for the team, good at winning fouls in key areas (not by diving, he just gets taken out a lot - I think he's currently the most fouled player in the league).
For me there's no question over Joe Cole either, assuming he picks it up straight away he's one of England's finest.
I think the squad you quote is just about spot on. Maybe take a chance and not take 8 defenders (use Milner as cover) and take lennon. SWP if Walcott not fit otherwise team picks itself - yes take Becks, don't forget it is 23 players out there and you need to have some varity in these team of 23.
vachtung play fair we dont need all them man u players there is room for better players on the plane and im man utd fan no1 ggmu
number 52 (milena) - since when is England a County??
What about phil jageilka when he is fit? and baines
painkiller gary neville will never ever get my respect so dont go blabbing ur mouth of trying to tell me wot to do its a free country and i can say wot i like,we dont need to take pensioners that r past there sell by date i take it u have a soft spot for scum chester or for gary himself
I am really surprised Micah Richards not mentioned, better than Brown. Hargreaves would bring better balance to the midfield. Theo has to go with Beckham coming on if Theo is getting nowhere as you know what u r getting from Becks but if Beckham plays Crouch has to be in as well as his crosses would be pointless. Milner, SWP, Bent, Gabby or young not good enough. Robinson is still the best keeper and Michael Owen would not get get a game for my pub team, finished. If fit I would take Woodgate as he is an awsome defender if Ferdinand continues his dodgy form. Should be fun.
milena - since when is England a county??
fergieisagenitalwart when garry neville was in the age of your 17MiL defender he was one of the best right-backs in the world,since 1995 he has been a devoted servant for your national team and he always gave 100 percent of him while wearing england's shirt so you should speak about him with more respect,maybe he's too old now to play,for example 3 or 4 consecitive games but in CONCRETE MATCH if england will need he will play at least on par with glen johnson I'm sure.I'm not english
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