Never Mind Theo: What About Hargreaves?

May 9th, 2006 | By: Shawn | 5 Comments »

We leave aside the selection of the embryonic Theo Walcott for a moment to ask: Why in hell is Owen Hargreaves on our squad instead of Shaun Wright-Phillips?

According to Sven: “I went over to see him last week against Stuttgart and he was one of the best on the pitch, playing as a sitting midfielder….He is also versatile.”

Well he is also: 1) injury-prone; and, 2) redundant: where exactly does he fit amid the packed crowd in the middle? I suppose he’s there to spell Carrick, but I can’t imagine how badly off we’ll be if we actually need him….

Now that I’m done scratching my head over Theo, this is the biggest mystery in the squad.

Tags: England, Group B, Owen Hargreaves

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Comments

By Greekfreak | May 9th, 2006 at 10:26 pm

I totally agree; Hargreaves is far from a bad player, but he’s a bit blah to have on the squad as a starter.

As for the exclusion of Shaun Wright-Phillips, could it be that Eriksson in his heart of hearts is sabotaging the team on his way out?

Leaving that talented young lad out of your squad when you’ve got very few quality sprinters is a boneheaded move.

Posted from Republic Of Korea

By Owen | May 9th, 2006 at 11:23 pm

Don’t quite get all the Owen H bashing. He’s not the top player in the squad but he’s no worse than SWP at the moment. SWP has really gone off the boil and I have to say going to Chelski was the worst move he ever made. Plus Owen H can cover some defensive spots too. I’d have taken Defoe over Hargreaves but ot SWP.

Posted from United States

By Raheel | May 10th, 2006 at 6:48 am

Erikkson has sacrificed Wright-Phillips to accomodate his “Capitano” Beckham. He has other wingers in the team , but Shaun is a class act on the right wing. He might not have shone for Chelsea this season , but that is due to the excess of quality players that the club possess. Hargreaves and Carrick are defensive midfielders whereas Wright- Phillips is a pocket dynamo with pace and skill.
England might rue their selection blunder if they capitulate at the WC.

Posted from India

By Jen | May 10th, 2006 at 12:17 pm

Sven always seems to pick one useless midfielder…I just figured that Jermaine Jenas was more than enough to fill that spot this time. I’d have dropped one of them and taken another striker instead.

Posted from Canada