Fabio Capello has picked his squad of 23 for the World Cup. Perhaps the most notable exclusion is Theo Walcott. He has been a Capello favourite since his hat-trick against Croatia in Zagreb kick-started England’s qualification campaign. I feel sorry for Walcott, but he has been given every opportunity to assert his form in the last two friendlies ‚Äì his confidence looks low and he misfired in both games.
With Jamie Carragher and James Milner covering the full-back slots, I did wonder whether seven defenders might have sufficed. With fitness and form concerns over several of the selected, Capello probably couldn’t take any chances. Stephen Warnock only has one cap and hasn’t seen any action for England under the present regime, but he has been chosen as reserve left-back following Leighton Baines’ awkward showing against Mexico.
The midfield is well covered (as long as Gareth Barry makes it back to fitness.) Michael Carrick has pipped Tom Huddlestone to be Barry’s principal replacement. Carrick didn’t perform well against Mexico – but the whole side was overrun in the first-half. If Barry is unavailable for the USA game, then I hope that Capello places his faith in Carrick rather than moving Steven Gerrard into central-midfield. Joe Cole should be a very useful inclusion and is one of England’s most versatile and talented attacking midfielders. With Cole, Aaron Lennon, Shaun-Wright-Phillips and James Milner in the squad, England have multiple options for the flanks.
The forwards are as expected following Darren Bent’s disappointing first-half performance against Japan. Perhaps Gabriel Agbonlahor (or Carlton Cole) would have been a better addition to the preliminary squad? The forward line is much more appropriately resourced than it was four years ago, with Peter Crouch, Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe intimating that they are on reasonable form following the recent friendlies. Emile Heskey may not have seen much action for Aston Villa towards the end of last season, but he was a key figure over the qualification campaign and offers important attributes to the squad.
So there aren’t too many surprises with this squad announcement. With a lack of designated defensive midfielders, it is probably more crucial to have a fit and in form Gareth Barry than a fit and in form Theo Walcott. And it would perhaps have been reassuring if Stephen Warnock had received some playing time against Mexico or Japan.
Capello’s 23
Robert Green, David James, Joe Hart
Glen Johnson, Jamie Carragher, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ledley King, Matthew Upson, Ashley Cole, Stephen Warnock
Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, James Milner
Wayne Rooney, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey
Having had a good long think about it – I would have preferred Theo over SWP and probably Parker over Carrick but what do I know. The other selections I can accept and am hoping both Carrick and SWP can prove me wrong and not squander possession at every given opportunity.
Regarding Walcott – me too! At first I was glad he was dropped because he has been so lame recently. But the more I think about it – the more I think he could be an excellent substitute for extra time when the opposition become tired.
Walcott hasn’t really done much with Arsenal this season and apparently couldn’t or wouldn’t listen to direct instructions from Capello. Fabio was telling him to get the byline and cross it in, but he kept on coming inside his man, congesting the area on the edge of the box (this is just hearsay btw).
Also, as Capello was telling players by phone that they haven’t made the squad and I haven’t yet received my call, I’m assuming I’m in the squad as one of England’s three permitted ‘secret weapons’ that is, players that do not have to be declared to FIFA before the tournament.