Everyone’s doing it, especially after last night’s friendly victory for England over Egypt, and so it’s time to name the 23-man squad that England should take to South Africa. Are you reading Fabio?
Goalkeepers:
Robert Green – Probably the No.1 by default more than anything, but Capello has shown signs that he is ready to stick with the West Ham goalkeeper as South Africa looms large. Consistent, strong and unruffled by his sending off in the Ukraine during qualification, Green should provide a solid enough last line of defence for England. Until something goes drastically wrong, anyway.
David James – About as experienced a back-up goalkeeper as you can get, and James faces going to a third World Cup without actually getting on the pitch, but he’s there if needed.
Joe Hart – Being the third-choice keeper at a World Cup is essentially just a free holiday, but Hart has earned it. Should get more caps in the build up to the finals.
Defenders:
Glen Johnson – England’s best right-back will return to the Liverpool fold in the coming weeks after a knee injury has seen him miss all of their 2010 fixtures so far. An excellent option coming forward, his defensive solidity has been questioned at times, but good form for the Reds in the remainder of the campaign will cement his place in the team.
John Terry – He might not have the armband, but he’s still one of the first names on the sheet.
Rio Ferdinand – Captain crock will be on the plane – perhaps in a specially designed hospital bed – and England will be determined to keep him fit.
Ashley Cole – Ankle, marital and mental state permitting, Cole is one of the best left-backs around, and a must for Capello.
Wes Brown – Gets in for his versatility. He’s equally at home at either right-back or centre-back, and is a reliable performer when called upon. Brown has played for England in three different decades, yet still only has 23 caps. He’ll get more under Capello.
Matthew Upson – The first choice should Ferdinand’s back muscles fail him again, and the West Ham man has the experience and ability to perform well if required. He’ll look upon the World Cup as a shop window, and could earn a big move if he plays well.
Joleon Lescott – The £24million man has started to find his feet at Manchester City, and good form in the remainder of the campaign should give him the nod ahead of the likes of Ryan Shawcross, Gary Cahill and even Sol Campbell.
Leighton Baines – Marginally more consistent and experienced than Stephen Warnock, Baines has been quietly performing well for Everton for the last year, and deserves the spot as Ashley Cole’s back-up. Good coming forward, he can tackle well too, and wouldn’t let England down if called upon.
Midfielders:
Steven Gerrard – One of the first to be given his boarding pass.
Gareth Barry – The calming influence in midfield, Barry will be simply required to get the ball and give it to the nearest available team-mate. There are few better in the country at that.
Frank Lampard – Not at his sparkling best in an England shirt recently, but if England need a goal, he’s as likely as anyone to get it.
Aaron Lennon – Fitness is a concern, but if Capello can get him anywhere near the form he showed in the first half of Tottenham’s season then he’ll be looking for a starting berth. Gets in ahead of Theo Walcott for his consistency, his crossing is slowly improving and he can score goals too. Left-backs beware.
David Beckham – Beckham will surely become the first Englishman to play at four different World Cups. Still one of the best dead-ball deliverers in the world, and playing for a top European side in a top European league, he has to go. Coming on for 20 minutes and raining in crosses might not be the most glamorous role for a glamorous player, but it could prove to be England’s deadliest weapon.
James Milner – Wayne Rooney aside, Milner is the most impressive Englishman in the Premier League this season. Versatile, quick and not afraid to do the dirty work, he must be a coach’s dream. If three of England’s four midfield spots are a given, then meet the fourth.
Joe Cole – Not Carlo Ancelotti’s favourite, there are still few English players around who are as gifted as Cole. Out of contract in the summer, the tournament could be a perfect chance for him to show his skills, as there are few big clubs around who wouldn’t want a fit and firing Cole in their ranks. Capable of moments of sheer brilliance, as that goal against Sweden at the last World Cup showed.
Shaun Wright-Phillips – A goal in a friendly shouldn’t cement his place, but his good form for Manchester City should. Nimble, an excellent runner with the ball and a genuinely different option should England need him, he is good enough to earn a place in the squad. Whether he gets on the pitch is a different matter though.
Forwards:
Wayne Rooney – Do you need to ask?
Emile Heskey – The world’s most unselfish striker was a fixture in the team in qualifying, and his presence allows the likes of Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard to shine. He can score goals too, despite what many think, and no defender at the finals will want to face him.
Peter Crouch – Two goals last night will have helped his cause, but in reality there should never be any doubt about Crouch’s involvement at the tournament. A tally of 20 goals in 37 internationals is excellent, and the Spurs man always offers a genuine goal threat, he has at every club he’s been at. The ultimate “different option”, Capello will be counting on him in South Africa.
Jermain Defoe – No matter how he’s performed, you always know that Defoe is disappointed if he comes off the pitch without scoring a goal. A genuine goalscorer, he could play with all of the other forwards in the squad, and is capable of popping up with vital goals at vital times for England.
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