The World Cup is less than four months away - and Fabio Capello has some difficult decisions to make.
HAVE YOUR SAY... Who is the best English player in the world today? There"s a World Cup coming, time to look lively. Sportsmail"s latest edition of The List celebrates the 50 best English footballers in the world today. Who should be in Fabio Capello"s sights? Tell us the rising stars, the established stars not pulling their weight, and those you"d like to see return from international retirement.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Next week he will send out a team to face Egypt in what will be England"s last friendly before he names the provisional squad for South Africa 2010.
Who"s in his thoughts? Is there a man to fill Ashley Cole"s boots if the Chelsea man doesn"t recover in time? Which of his imperfect goalkeepers will get the nod between the sticks?
Sportsmail try to help out the Italian by revealing the top 50 English players of the here and now. Long-term injured stars such as Owen Hargreaves misses out, because, for example, it seems unlikely he can recover form and fitness in time for Manchester United.
But we highlight some uncapped starlets that Capello should gamble on, pick out the retired stars who should be leaned on to reconsider and reveal those regulars who justify their place in the squad.
As ever, we countdown with 10 per day, unveiling our No 1 on Friday, and you can join in the debate.
50 Lee Camp (Nottingham Forest)The Forest fans chant "England"s No 1" without a hint of irony. And the 25-year-old former Under 21 international has been about as consistent as any other of his compatriot goalkeepers this season.
His solid side have conceded just 24 goals in 33 games and Camp is one of the major reasons why Forest are flying high in the Championship.
Playing outside the Barclays Premier League will go against him, but Capello just seriously consider putting Camp on the plane.
Rising stars: Forest"s Lee Camp (left) and Everton"s Jack Rodwell
49 Jack Rodwell (Everton)The 18-year-old has shot to prominence this season, showing he can thrive in the Everton first team despite his tender age. Rodwell is versatile too, doing a job at centre-half or, more comfortably, in the middle of the park.
The Scouser is tall and strong for his age and his goal against Manchester United at the weekend might just have come against future employers. Capped at England youth levels - will he get a chance at senior level before the World Cup?
48 Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa)Impressive performances in the FA Cup are pushing Delfouneso"s case to be included more regularly in the League for Villa.
It"s surely too early for the tall, quick striker to be involved in Capello"s side - he"s yet to establish himself at Under-21 level. But if Capello fancies the equivalent of his "Theo moment", then he could do worse than turn to Delfouneso.
Midfield maestros: Jack Wilshre (left) and United veteran Paul Scholes
45 Paul Scholes (Manchester United)From one rising star to a midfielder we know everything about. It"s hard to believe that it"s six years since the king of the gingers called time on his international career, but if fancies a swansong at South Africa, Capello should get on the blower.
The 35-year-old oozes class and still has plenty to give. A midfield with he passing range of Scholes, David Beckham and Steven Gerrard could be irresistible, but it would take a lot of convincing to get him back in the fold.
44 Wayne Bridge (Manchester City)It looked like he may well have been left out of England squad for the sake of harmony in the wake of the revelations about John Terry and Wayne Bridge"s former partner.
But now that Ashley Cole has injured an ankle, threatening the Chelsea man"s involvement in the tournament, it suddenly looks like Bridge is indispensable.
The 29-year-old is getting back into the swing of things after his own injury problems and will be looking for a good run of games to secure his place.
No comments:
Post a Comment