Fabio Capello playing the numbers game
The squad numbers for the England players have been announced, with the significant numbers going to David James, Aaron Lennon and Peter Crouch.
There has been plenty of debate about who should be No. 1 of the three goalkeepers selected for the final squad, with James, Joe Hart and Robert Green all unsure who would be Capello’s first choice.
James, the Portsmouth stopper, has been given the nod ahead of Hart and Green. With 50 caps to his name, James is the oldest member in the England squad at 39 years old and is the most experienced of the three ‘keepers.
Hart had been tipped to be the No.1 after he enjoyed a fine season on loan from Manchester City at Birmingham City after several solid performances, but Capello has gone for experience over form, and James fits the bill.
Although he suffered relegation and lost the FA Cup final with Pompey last season, James has been impressive between the sticks and had been one of the south-coast team's stand-out players.
The No.7 shirt, famously worn by David Beckham for many years, has been given to Lennon, ahead of Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Tottenham winger Lennon has impressed this season, and with Theo Walcott losing out on the final 23-man squad, Capello will turn to the 23-year-old Lennon to provide the lightning pace down the flanks.
Lennon helped guide Tottenham to fourth place in the Premier League and a chance to qualify for the Champions League having had one of his best seasons at White Hart Lane.
Lennon’s teammate Crouch also has the last significant shirt number, No.9. If Capello decides to put a partner next to Wayne Rooney up front, Crouch will be the man, ahead of Emile Heskey and Jermain Defoe.
Crouch’s goal record for England is impressive. With 21 goals in 38 appearances, Capello feels he can provide the best striking partnership for Rooney.
The full list of squad numbers are as follows:
1 David James
2 Glen Johnson
3 Ashley Cole
4 Steven Gerrard
5 Rio Ferdinand
6 John Terry
7 Aaron Lennon
8 Frank Lampard
9 Peter Crouch
10 Wayne Rooney
11 Joe Cole
12 Robert Green
13 Stephen Warnock
14 Gareth Barry
15 Matthew Upson
16 James Milner
17 Shaun Wright-Phillips
18 Jamie Carragher
19 Jermain Defoe
20 Ledley King
21 Emile Heskey
22 Michael Carrick
23 Joe Hart
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