Our pick: England squad for South Africa

By Kieran Beckles
6:56pm UK, Friday October 16, 2009

By Kieran Beckles, 6:56pm UK, Friday October 16, 2009

England v Slovakia is on Saturday

With the qualification stage complete, the thoughts of every English football fan will turn to next year’s showpiece in South Africa.

Fabio Capello has brought a renewed sense of optimism to the national team. The Italian has time to fine-tune his starting eleven and ponder over the members of his 23-man squad before stepping on the plane to South Africa next summer.

Who will be in his World Cup squad? Here is The Sport Review’s selection.

Goalkeepers

Robert Green – West Ham United
Green has been favoured in recent matches until receiving a red card against Ukraine.

David James – Portsmouth
Brings a wealth of experience to the squad. He could yet re-establish himself as England’s first choice ‘keeper.

Ben Foster – Manchester United
Foster has made some high profile errors for United since deputising for the injured Edwin Van Der Saar. But his instinctive save against Ukraine is one reason why he should make the cut.

Defenders

John Terry – Chelsea
He is the England captain and his role at the heart of England’s defence remains crucial.

Rio Ferdinand – Manchester United
In recent weeks has come in for much criticism for mistakes against Holland and Ukraine, but accusations that he is past his best are simply ridiculous.

Ashley Cole – Chelsea
Ever present at left back, he is one of the truly world class players that England possesses.

Glen Johnson – Liverpool
There have been questions raised over his defensive capabilities but enjoys the trust of Capello and should start at right back next summer.

Wayne Bridge – Manchester City
The deputy to Ashley Cole and provides reliable cover in the event of the Chelsea full back picking up an injury.

Wes Brown – Manchester United
Provide vital cover at both right back and centre back.

Matthew Upson – West Ham United
Under Capello, Upson appears to be England’s third choice central defender especially with the reoccurring imjuries to Jonathon Woodgate and Ledley King.

Midfielders

Steven Gerrard – Liverpool
One of the most gifted midfielders of his generation. It’s now time for Liverpool’s talismanic captain to do it on the biggest stage in world football.

Frank Lampard – Chelsea
For years critics complained Lampard and Gerrard couldn’t play in the same midfield. Capello seems to have rectified the problem and Lampard will be looking to chip in with more goals.

Gareth Barry – Manchester City
He is a versatile midfielder who offers a different option with his majestic left foot. He will be prepared to battle for the midfield role with Carrick and Hargreaves.

Michael Carrick – Manchester United
Carrick could find himself in direct competition from club teammate Owen Hargreaves for a place in Capello’s squad.

Aaron Lennon – Tottenham Hotspur
If Lennon can sustain his fine club form then he presumably will make the cut.

James Milner – Aston Villa
He can play in the centre, on the right or on the left. A player willing to graft, if selected he would provide a variety of different options for Capello.

David Beckham – LA Galaxy
The England veteran has vast experience at this level. A fourth World Cup, his set piece ability and passing range would make him a real threat against any team.

Ashley Young – Aston Villa

The left winger showed great form for Villa last season. He has become a regular in Capello’s squad and will be looking to cement his place for South Africa throughout the duration of the league campaign.

Forwards

Wayne Rooney – Manchester United
The most naturally gifted English player, Rooney will prove crucial to any hopes England harbour of reaching the latter stages of the competition.

Carlton Cole – West Ham United
His large frame makes him a nuisance for opposition defenders. He also possesses a good first touch and a ferocious shot.

Darren Bent – Sunderland
Bent has been at his clinical best since moving to the Stadium of Light. If he can keep up his goalscoring form he has a very real chance of making the cut.

Theo Walcott – Arsenal
Walcott was the wildcard that Sven Goran Eriksson brought to the last World Cup. This time the Arsenal forward will be looking to see some playing time and his electric pace would terrify the opposition.

Jermaine Defoe – Tottenham Hotspur
Defoe has been used as the super sub for England lately. He will be looking to cement his position in the squad and vie for a starting spot.

HAVE YOUR SAY - 9 Comments

cc on October 16th, 2009 at 7:54pm

crouch?
HeComesFromSerbia on October 19th, 2009 at 8:25am

na, seriously although crouch has been scoring goals for fun for england put him up against some quality defenders and he will fail miserably.
take players who are faster, have better ball control, are good at passing and who play first team football for the clubs week-in week-out (ie all stikers mentioned above!).
cc on October 20th, 2009 at 8:10pm

Theo Walcott? week-in week-out? more like week-in month-off
HeComesFromSerbia on October 21st, 2009 at 12:36am

yeah only cus of injuries though…
cc on October 21st, 2009 at 12:21pm

still a huge lack of first team football. Crouch has scored goals against chelsea, united and arsenal plus a good record in the champions league and various hat-tricks. Apart from scoring against a liverpool team that have conceded 2 goals every other game what has Carlton Cole done against world class defenders?
world cup 2010 africa on November 3rd, 2009 at 8:02am

England is going to be the big success of this World Cup
Dan on November 10th, 2009 at 9:50am

Seriously, where is Joe Cole, he was one of the best players in 2006, and has to be there if fit. Also, what is Carlton Cole doing in there. He is basically a weaker, less experienced, less skillful version of Emile Heskey. Lastly, why is Darren bent there instead of owen. Bent is just on good form. Put it this way if we are in the 90th minute of the world cup final 1-1 against Spain, and Gerrard slots a ball through the defence for a one on one between Iker Casilias and either Darren Bent or Michael Owen who would you prefer?
Bernard on December 5th, 2009 at 12:32pm

Not entirely convinced about one or two these selections. Ashley Young rather than Joe Cole? Walcott as a striker? Bent rather than Heskey or Owen?
Also, where’s the central midfield tackling machine? Oh for a fit Owen Hargreaves!
But, if we really want to think outside the box,
I wonder whether we might be better off just taking two goalkeepers (James & Green) and Jagielka!
What do you think of that?
Kieran Beckles on December 5th, 2009 at 11:08pm

@Bernard

When the list was compiled Joe Cole was injured so I seemingly omitted him. But he has been impressive since his return to the Chelsea side and I fully agree with you. I would take Cole over Young.

I don’t know when Owen Hargreaves will be fit? But I didn’t include him because I think he has to get back playing for United first then worry about England.

What would your 23 man squad be?

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