World Football News: Capello backs Carroll despite personal mistakes; international friendly draws nearer
Fabio Capello has become the latest manager involved with the English footballing setup to praise Andy Carroll’s ability as the striker has become an integral part of the newly promoted Newcastle United side. Andy’s personal life was embroiled
in controversy over the past three weeks as he had according various newspaper reports assaulted his former girlfriend. However, Capello has paid no heed to such personal matters as the Italian has selected the Newcastle striker for England’s upcoming friendly
encounter against France.
Injuries in the England squad have meant that the team which will face the French national team will be devoid of Wayne Rooney, Bobby Zamora, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent. Such absentees have also forced Capello’s hand into picking the
young striker for the first time as far as English national team’s senior squad is concerned.
Speaking on the strikers past mistakes, Fabio remarked to the press, "Everybody makes mistakes when they are young. It is very important for him to be in the seniors because we have a lot of important players, who can stay with him and
speak with him about what happens outside the pitch. That is important. I haven't spoken to him but I talked to the FA, who have told me I can pick him. I also spoke with Stuart Pearce and he has no problems either. He is only young. He can change."
Elaborating a bit further on Andy Carroll’s abilities as a footballer, the ex-Real Madrid coach said, "Carroll is a really interesting player. He is good in the air, has good movement without the ball and finds space. Technically he is
very good and he is a fighter."
It remains to be seen how Carroll will do on the international stage where a much more physical stance to the game is not appreciated like it is in the English Premier League. Andy has earned praise in the Premier League due to his toughness
and physique which gives him an edge over shorter defenders who struggle to head the ball against the tall centre forward.
Speaking about the referee’s in international football and in English football, Capello said, “Referees in England are different compared to everywhere else. Here, there are some tackles the referee thinks are good. In international games
they are not. For this reason you have to understand the international referee's style. The players here need to understand what they have to do."
Even though Wayne Rooney will not be a part of the English squad that is scheduled to face France in an international friendly matchup, the strikers return steady road to full fitness would’ve pleased the English national team manager.
Reports have concluded that there is another player which might interest Capello sooner rather than later to feature with the Three Lions is David Beckham. Despite the fact that Fabio called curtains over the Englishman’s international career after the FIFA
2010 World Cup, the ex-Manchester United midfielder has been in high form for LA Galaxy in the MLS.
During his interview to the press, Fabio Capello also spoke about Jack Wilshere, Arsenal’s young and upcoming English midfielder. Capello went onto say, "I am looking for something different from a young player so I know he is ready to
be with us. Wilshere is really intelligent on the pitch, so I think he can play with the seniors. He needs to understand what really happens when England play at Wembley in front of 90,000 people. There is also a new style. Arsenal's is their school style,
from the academy, with a lot of touches. He has to find out what he has to do here. In a really short time it is impossible to learn everything but it will be interesting for him to stay with us."
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