Selecting the England Squad for the World Cup

I love the season before the World Cup. Every player seems to have that little bit more to lose and whilst they are so wealthy they have a comfort level in life that means they do not fight for survival, they find this passion by fighting for something money cannot bring them, the experience of playing in the World Cup. With England now safely qualified for the tournament, we can now indulge in one of the footballing fans favourite pastime of picking the squad. 22 lucky players will board the plane to South Africa, but who will they be?

Under Fabio Capello he has made it clear through interviews and in his team selections that no player is guaranteed a starting place. This could not be said for previous managers; under Sven Goran Eriksson around ten of the starting eleven were all but guaranteed to play.

The goalkeeping trio looks sure to include Robert Green and David James who are the established top goalkeepers. Paul Robinson has a chance if he plays well for Blackburn and Ben Foster had a chance also. Foster, however, has been criticised in the media for his performances in the Manchester Utd shirt in the absence of Edwin Van Der Sar. Perhaps it is significant that Joe Hart has been called up in the squad for this weeks match against Ukraine as a replacement for Paul Robinson who pulled out with injury, rather than Foster. This suggests Capellos mind may be made up on Ben Foster and that other goalkeepers will be selected ahead of him.

In defence, it is highly likely that Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand will be the starting four at the back. Players like Wayne Bridge, Gary Neville and Matty Upson are also likely to travel. Some players will be hoping to break into the squad before the World Cup. Leighton Baines will be hoping to challenge Bridge for the back up left back berth and Gary Cahill has a chance in this week’s squad for the match against Ukraine to impress Capello as he fights for that last centre back spot alongside players such as Wes Brown (who may be selected ahead of Gary Neville) and Joleon Lescott.

In Midfield is where the battle really starts for places. The two players absolutely guaranteed to be in the squad are Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. David Beckham will probably be selected because of his vast experience and dead ball prowess, which are so often the difference in tight matches. The young wingers Aaron Lennon, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Theo Walcott appear to be fighting for two places in the squad and Joe Cole is also in the frame after impressing in his Chelsea comeback after injury. It would be a surprise if Gareth Barry and Michael Carrick were not selected. Some of the outsiders for a place include James Milner, Ashley Young and even Jack Wilshere from Arsenal has been praised by Capello in the past.

The forward places are made up of Wayne Rooney, Jermaine Defoe with up to three more squad places up for grabs. Peter Crouch will probably be there, along with Emile Heskey but you feel both of these players are under pressure for their places because they do not play every game for their club side. Carlton Cole is a possibility, along with Darren Bent who has had a great start to his Sunderland career. Gabriel Agbonlahor has also featured under Capello. All eyes are on Michael Owen to see if he can make the squad but you feel that he is losing his battle for selection. Only a streak of goals for Manchester United will give him any chance of selection at this point. Capello is not a man whom reputation means anything; Owen must produce to have a chance.

Using the Football betting odds from bwin.com we can see that England are given odds of 7.00 to win the World Cup, behind joint favourites Brazil and Spain who are both given odds of 5.50.

By Malcolm Clarke