Alternative XI

This is WCC’s alternative England XI: it includes players who are on the margins of selection for the squad. A run of good form, allied to injuries to some of those competing for the same slot, could perhaps mean that one or two of these players come into the reckoning.

An injury prone keeper is perhaps the last thing a coach needs and I’d estimate that Chris Kirkland is presently 6th choice keeper for England. But a sustained run of games for Wigan in the second-half of this season could push him up to 5th choice!

Micah Richards appeared to be establishing himself as an England regular under Steve McClaren and he started six of the Euro 2008 qualifiers. He stepped up to senior international level with apparent ease and offered good pace at right-back (he can also play at centre-back.) Richards has subsequently been overlooked by Fabio Capello, but is now re-establishing himself at club-side Manchester City. Birmingham’s Roger Johnson is selected with Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross at centre-back. Johnson has been on excellent form this season so there’s a chance he could make the squad for the friendly against Egypt in March. Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock pips Everton’s Leighton Baines to the left-back berth.

The midfield presents more of a challenge, as most genuine candidates have actually featured in recent squads. Everton’s Jack Rodwell is a poised young midfielder who uses the ball well; this World Cup will probably come too soon for him, but he could well feature in 2014. To demonstrate that I’m not being discriminatory on grounds of age, Danny Murphy takes up one of the other midfield places. Murphy was called into the squad for World Cup 2002 but injury precluded his participation. He’s performing well for Fulham and could provide sound cover if England require midfield security late in a game – he also takes a good penalty!

Lee Cattermole is stationed on the right of the midfield diamond – he’s a hard-tackling and powerful midfielder. Injuries impeded his excellent early season form with Sunderland, but he recently returned to fitness. At one stage David Bentley appeared to be David Beckham’s successor as England’s right-midfielder. He has since fallen well out of favour and it would take a rapid and breathtaking return to form for him to work his way into Capello’s plans. Bentley can play centrally as well as on the flank.

Kevin Davies is chosen ahead of Bobby Zamora to lead the attack. Davies has featured in the extended squad under Capello. With substantial experience for Bolton (often as a lone forward), he is one of the country’s most durable target men. He doesn’t score freely although his return in the Premier League last season (12 goals) was decent. He seems the type of forward that Capello favours but is behind Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole and Peter Crouch as the target man option. Man Utd’s Michael Owen partners Davies in attack.

3 Responses to “Alternative XI”

1. Devils_Advocate says:

   February 9, 2010 at 6:40 pm

   In goal – Cudicini?? Almunia??
2. The Sound of Shoelaces says:

   February 10, 2010 at 9:22 am

   Now he’s eligible to play for England through residency, Charles N’Zogbia must be in with a shout of a call up; especially as he’s naturally left-footed.
3. Colin Baillie says:

   February 11, 2010 at 12:20 pm

   Leon Osman is worth a thought.