We’ve spoken about the Goalkeepers and Defenders and now it is time to talk about the engine of the team, the midfield. Here is a list of all midfielders selected in each Capello squad:
Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Joe Cole, David Beckham, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Young, David Bentley, Michael Carrick, Stewart Downing, Owen Hargreaves, Jermaine Jenas, Theo Walcott, Tom Huddlestone, Jimmy Bullard and Scott Parker.
There are plenty of points to consider off the bat, and the first thing Capello will want to get right is balance. There is no point picking the best 8 midfielders in the country, unless of course they give you the right balance. He will also be looking at the players who provide him with a variety of options and he’ll also want players who can do damage in the last 20 minutes, impact substitutes.
Although it is not obvious on this season’s form, Gerrard and Lampard are dead certainties, barring a season ending injury. This moves us on to players who are obvious certainties from this season’s form. I am talking about Aaron Lennon and James Milner. These two record breaking youth players from the strong Leeds academy have grown and matured into strong performers week in, week out.
The formation will rely heavily on a holding midfielder, and England’s options seem a bit flat in this area at the moment. Owen Hargreaves is yet to get going this season, Gareth Barry has been ordinary and Michael Carrick hasn’t made any headlines. This may open up a place for Tom Huddlestone, who is a regular in the Tottenham side. He adds a physical presence to the side and has spent games playing in central defence at times. The ideal selection would be a fully fit Owen Hargreaves, but if he’s not available then Tom Huddlestone is in the picture. This will leave a shoot out between Barry and Carrick, and I believe Barry’s diversity and his important role for Manchester City will give him the slot.
This means there are two more positions for the wide roles in the England team and if Capello is uncomfortable with this then he may sacrifice Huddlestone’s position in the belief that Barry can fulfil this role and Gerrard can also provide back up in this position. The men left to compete for the wide roles are Wright-Phillips, Beckham, Walcott, Joe Cole, Downing, and Ashley Young. These are tough decisions with each player offering their case.
Wright-Phillips has played well this season in between injuries, he ought to be reaching his peak, and he has pace, although he missed out 4 years ago.
Beckham provides a wealth of experience, plenty of effort, genuine quality on the ball and from set pieces and he can play in that central role too, but a lot will depend on his time at AC Milan.
Walcott was controversially picked 4 years ago and has developed slower than some might have hoped, he is lightning fast and will play plenty of games from now till the squad is announced. He can play up front too which will provide England with a fifth striker.
Joe Cole has been one of England’s best performers but he’s been out with injuries and hasn’t done enough since his return. He is experienced, reaching his peak and skilful.
Downing is also back from injury and is naturally left-footed, he is good from set-pieces and Capello has shown a direct interest in Downing in the past.
Ashley Young was young player of the year last year, he is an integral part of a deadly Aston Villa counter attack with his pace and crossing ability, but he has stuttered this year and failed to make the same noise he made last year.
Fabio Capello will probably take Ashley Young over teammate Downing, and to the same extent he would probably take a fully fit in-form Joe Cole over Ashley Young. The right hand side is more compelling, but I’m afraid Wright-Phillips looks set to miss out again, leaving a battle between Walcott and Beckham for the final slot.
As I said before if Hargreaves is fit and playing well then he will go to South Africa, meaning only one of Beckham and Walcott can go. Otherwise it will be two players out of Huddlestone, Beckham and Walcott. I think Capello will be swayed by Beckham’s experience and the pace of Walcott allows him to be a serious threat in the final minutes of a tight game.
England Squad so far:
Goalkeepers : D James, R Green, J Hart
Defenders: J Terry, R Ferdinand, A Cole, G Johnson, S Warnock, P Jagielka, W Brown, (M Upson or J Lescott)
Midfielders: S Gerrard, F Lampard, A Lennon, J Milner, G Barry, J Cole, D Beckham, T Walcott
