England manager Fabio Capello has cut short the 30-men squad to 23 for the upcoming friendly match against Switzerland. The match will be held at the Wembley Stadium on 6 February. Capello was criticized widely following the declaration of 30-man squad earlier with some notable omissions including former captain David Beckham, Tottenham Hotspur goal keeper Paul Robinson, Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell and West Ham United goal keeper Robert Green. David Beckham could play his 100th match for England, if he was included in the side.
However, there is no more surprise in the 23-man squad for the friendly match against Switzerland. Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King and Wigan Athletic striker Emile Heskey has been ruled out of the final line up due to injury. There was possibility that Heskey was going to be ruled out of the 23-man squad, however, King was played very well and he was almost certain to make it to the final line up. Fabio Capello also admitted that King had impressed him in the domestic matches. However, he did not speak anything about Emile Heskey.
England’s newly appointed coach made it clear that those who could not get into the final line up were still part of his plan. Capello has not declared the name of the captain who will lead England on Wednesday’s friendly. He will declare the captain on Tuesday, just a day before the match. May be he wants to see the progress of the players and the ability of leadership during these days. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is reportedly the most likely candidate for the role of England captain. Capello also said that he would not appoint a captain permanently until England begins their world cup qualifying matches in September. During this time, he wants to run an experiment giving the leadership to different players so as to find out the perfect man to appoint for the role permanently.
Aside from Ledley King, three more defenders were left out of the final squad for the friendly match. They are Nicky Shorey, Glenn Johnson and Curtis Davies. It would have been the debut match for Curtis Davies if he was included in the 23-man squad. With his exclusion, Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor is the only new face in the squad. Capello has kept the striking line up unchanged except Heskey being ruled out with injury.
Three goal keepers have been kept with the question to whom the England goal keeping globes to be given in the friendly match against England. Portsmouth goal keeper David James is reportedly the most likely to stand in the England goal post. Among the midfielders, Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing have failed to make it to the final line up.
I think, England squad seems to be balanced. I thought, Michael Carrick could have been kept in the 23-man squad for the first match of England under Fabio Capello. Anyway, it is Capello who will be responsible for any result of England side. So, he should be given the freedom to take the decision regarding the squad because he knows very well who will be effective with his plan and tactics. Now, let us see if England can appear with an imperious form and emerge victorious at the Wembley Stadium in front of 90,000 spectators. So, do not miss the match as it is going to be an exciting match.
England 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Liverpool on loan at Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan Athletic)
Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)
Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers)
Forwards: Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney, (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool)
Related Article:
Guardian
No comments:
Post a Comment