World Cup - England: The race for places

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?

England squad in training - 0

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!

Alex Chick / Eurosport

Comment 50 - 69 of 69

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  1. ha ha haa is this fobbioo capeloo hmmm...semiz like you­ know alot ha haaaaa

    From christine, on Mon 23 Nov 5:58PM
  2. 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.

    From jermainegypo, on Thu 19 Nov 2:39PM
  3. I only reckon, Rooney and John Terry as the ones­ assured of their places. The rest, any thing can­ happen.

    From Lomoro, on Tue 17 Nov 12:48PM
  4. I think that Kieran Gibbs will be included

    From Omar F, on Mon 16 Nov 8:32PM
  5. 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

    From Rory C, on Mon 16 Nov 7:47PM
  6. 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.

    From gunga, on Mon 16 Nov 7:46PM
  7. 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

    From footballtoiletpaper, on Mon 16 Nov 7:45PM
  8. aaron lennon is the number one option on the right wing

    From Muh Lamin, on Mon 16 Nov 7:32PM
  9. 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

    From Scrubby boy, on Mon 16 Nov 7:16PM
  10. 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.

    From minibustravel63, on Mon 16 Nov 7:00PM
  11. 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..

    From BOVRIL GATE.., on Mon 16 Nov 6:36PM
  12. 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.

    From not_blonde_really, on Mon 16 Nov 5:40PM
  13. 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.

    From VINCINT, on Mon 16 Nov 5:22PM
  14. 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

    From dazmanutd, on Mon 16 Nov 5:20PM
  15. number 52 (milena) - since when is England a County??

    From rodders, on Mon 16 Nov 5:10PM
  16. What about phil jageilka when he is fit? and baines

    From joebt1994, on Mon 16 Nov 5:09PM
  17. 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

    From fergieisagenitalwart, on Mon 16 Nov 5:09PM
  18. 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.

    From I Killed Bill, on Mon 16 Nov 5:06PM
  19. milena - since when is England a county??

    From rodders, on Mon 16 Nov 5:03PM
  20. 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

    From painkiller14, on Mon 16 Nov 4:57PM
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