Fabio Capello’s First England Lineup

February 6th, 2008 | by: Matthew |

The media is out in force covering tonight’s game, and we have a (preliminary) squad for tonight’s match:

Goalkeeper: David James (Portsmouth)

Right Back: Wes Brown (Man Utd)
Centre Back: Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd)
Centre Back: Matthew Upson (West Ham)
Left Back: Ashley Cole (Chelsea)

Right Winger: David Bentley (Blackburn)
Central Midfield: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Central Midfield: Owen Hargreaves (Man Utd)
Left Winger: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

Support Striker: Joe Cole (Chelsea)
Striker: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)

Initial thoughts: I can understand selecting David James in goal – he’s the in-form English keeper at the moment – but I would have liked to see one of the younger keepers, ideally Scott Carson, given the opportunity to play. Playing Matthew Upson and Wes Brown as part of the first-choice back four is an interesting decision, but the latter makes a great deal of sense: Brown plays right-back for the best defence in the Premiership, and does so alongside Rio Ferdinand. The alternative – Micah Richards – has been playing at centre back for the entirity of this season, and so playing him at right-back makes little sense. As for Matthew Upson, I’m skeptical, but expect to be proved wrong.

The midfield looks beautiful – I’m really looking forward to seeing it in action tonight. Up front, it will be fascinating to see Joe Cole in the support-striker role, since he hasn’t really played in that position since joining Chelsea. He seems more suited to that role than that of a left winger, and this could be Capello’s first masterstroke.

Thoughts?

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http://www.christian.luiscorreia.com/fabio-capello%e2%80%99s-first-england-lineup/ Fabio Capello’s First England Lineup

[...] virenda@gmail.com wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptPlaying Matthew Upson and Wes Brown as part of the first-choice back four is an interesting decision, but the latter makes a great deal of sense: Brown plays right-back for the best defence in the Premiership, and does so alongside Rio … [...]
http://www.worldcupblog.org Daryl

I have the same doubts about Upson. Who wouldn’t? But if he’s impressed Capello recently then I say why not? James deserves his chance too.

Am very excited about this midfield. Just looks really balanced with Gerrard attacking and Hargreaves holding, and with the form that Young and Bentley have been in it makes perfect sense. The Joe Cole + Wayne Rooney idea could go either way, but you just know that Sven or McClaren would have picked Rooney and Owen to start the game and would have learned nothing.

Here’s looking forward to friendlies under Capello where England actually try out new combinations.
http://www.worldcupblog.org/daily-dose/daily-dose-2608.html Daily Dose 2.6.08 – World Cup Blog – African Cup of Nations 2008

[...] Fabio Capello’s picks his first team (England Blog) [...]
http://england.worldcupblog.org Matthew

My only real objection to the lineup is David James: he may be the in-form keeper right now, but he certainly won’t be in two years time. When the 2010 World Cup begins, David James will be nearing his 40th birthday and will not be able to play in goal for England. That means that over the next two years, Capello has to begin experimenting with his potential replacements: Carson and Kirkland (assuming Robinson’s career is over). I thought this game, an easy one against a weak team, would be a good time to help rebuild Carson’s international confidence. Then again, I’m not getting paid £6 million to manage England.
udit

what about joe hart people…he will be at the peak of his career when the world comes up next….thts a great choice for a goalie…plus he’s doin well for man city
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Thank you, nice post, very informative. Regards.