Where is Capello with his squad ?

April 4th, 2010 | by: SoccerLimey | View Comments

With 67 days to go before the big kick-off in South Africa, recent developments have changed the look of England’s squad with currently several positions still up for grabs due to injuries and form issues. Let’s look at some of the questions Fabio Capello has to deal with before the plane leaves.

Clearly injuries are the biggest concern with some players already having been ruled out of contention completely. Veteran players David Beckham and Michael Owen have sustained season ending injuries which eliminates both of them from contention. Ashley Cole, Aaron Lennon, Wayne Rooney, and Owen Hargreaves have all suffered serious injuries this season which makes them doubtful for selection from either a recovery standpoint or lack of match fitness . Dips in current form from Joe Cole, Wes Brown and Emile Heskey question whether they will make the trip at all, and the relative inexperience of several fringe players such as Joe Hart, Stephen Warnock, Leighton Baines, Bobby Zamora, and Adam Johnson, make the Italian’s selections somewhat difficult with just over 2 months to go.

Adam Johnson

I think to date, we have to assume that both Wayne Rooney and Ashley Cole will be fit and take their spots on the starting XI. I would also take Aaron Lennon as there is no substitute for pace at this level and with Theo Walcott, they give Capello another dimension in attack. Joe Cole seems to be moving towards his form of 18 months ago and Wes Brown is a valuable utility player that can play anywhere at the back. Emile Heskey would not make my squad as I would take Zamora simply from a goalscoring aspect. Joe Hart gets a seat as does Leighton Baines but Stephen Warnock has to wait until 2016.

I would love Owen Hargreaves to be fully match fit as he would definitely clear up some of the uncertainty at the right-back position. He was our best player in Germany in 2006 and virtually played Portugal on his own in that fateful quarter final but he has had such a torrid time with his tendinitis, that despite treatment from Dr Richard Steadman I wonder if his best days are behind him now not only for Man Utd but also at international level.

My wild card choice is Adam Johnson. He doesn’t start but in my world, he serves the same purpose as Theo Walcott as valuable bench options to break open a stalemate or get a goal if we’re behind late in a game. Johnson’s performances for Man City have been impressive and although untested at the senior level, he has the skills to make a significant contribution.

Interesting times ahead that’s for sure, and it’s clear that the dynamic will change daily as we move closer to the selection deadline.