England football team for FIFA 2010 South Africa
Fabio Capello has named a provisional squad of 30 players, who will carry the burden of an entire nation’s hopes on their shoulders in the summer’s world cup in South Africa but the Italian has to whittle down his squad to 23 before the 1st of June which happens to be the deadline for submission of squads. While it will be nothing short of heartbreaking for any involved to miss out now but still 7 have to bid farewell to their dreams of participating in the biggest footballing extravaganza on the planet. As the club season in Europe winds to a close all eyes are now on South Africa, where the top teams from across the globe will vie to lift the coveted Jules Rimet trophy. 32 teams from 6 continents will slug it out for the biggest prize in international football.
Given below is the list of the England team in their respective order, with who made the final cut and who unfortunately didn’t.
Goal Keepers
Robert Green, David James and Jo Hart: All in as Rob Green has been Capello’s number one throughout the Italian’s tenure as the England manager and having somebody as experienced as David James as a second choice is a luxury that Capello has. Jo Hart is also likely to be on the plane after impressing for Birmingham throughout the season but is unlikely to feature in any games barring any injury to either James or Green.
Midfielders
The four of the seven will be chopped out from this part of the squad and although every single one is worthy of a place in the squad, Capello can only take 23 with him.
Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Milner, Cole, Parker, Lennon and Walcott IN:
There is no way in the world that Gerrard and lampard won’t make the cut and the same can be said about Milner and Walcott but Scott Parker of West Ham along with Joe Cole of Chelsea are just likely to shade out the challenges from Huddlestone and SWP as their experience will be beneficial, and its experience that Capello is banking on. Lennon is also sure to be on the plane to South Africa after claiming full fitness.
Carrick, Huddlestone, Wright Phillips and Adam Johnson OUT: Missing out will be Carrick who has had a disappointing season for Manchester United, Wright Phillips for his patchy form. Adam Johnson for being too young and inexperienced, Nad Huddlestone just because of the presence of a better holding player like Barry in the squad.
Defenders
Terry, Ferdinand, Cole, Johnson, Carragher, Dawson, King, and Baines IN: Terry and Rio are the heart of England’s defence and are likely to start every single game for Capello, while Dawson and King would provide the necessary cover. Carragher has been drafted in as a cover for right back, Johnson and Baines as a cover at the left for Cole, so all of them are as certain as death and taxes.
Upson and Warnock OUT: the two omitted from the defence department will be Mathew Upson and Neil Warnock. Upson because of his patchy form and perhaps the most costly mistake of his career against Egypt in a friendly a month ago, while Warnock was only drafted in as a cover for central defenders, all of whom have proved to be fit and are likely to be in South Africa.
Strikers
Rooney, Heskey, Coruch, and Defoe IN: Rooney will be the first name on the Italians team sheet and who will partner him will only depend on the team they are playing against on that day. Heskey’s unselfishness is likely to get him a striking place alongside Rooney but Defoe and Couch will also be vying for a spot in the starting 11 after their recent goal sprees for the club and country.
Bent OUT: the only casualty from the striking department will be Darren Bent of Sunderland, which to be fair is highly undeserved to the talismanic marksman but such is the depth of the English strike force that Bent has to make way for his more experienced counterparts.
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