England’s New Look
England’s senior squad received a makeover this week when national boss, Fabio Capello, dropped 13 of his World Cup stars for this week’s friendly against Hungary. Capello has instead brought in the likes of youngsters Adam Johnson, Jack Wilshire, and Kieran Gibbs, while recalling familiar faces such as Ashley Young and Carlton Cole back into the mix. England’s defensive unit also received a shake-up after Robert Green and David James were dropped, along with Matthew Upson, Rio Ferdinand, and Ledley King.
The new-look team has received much praise from pundits and fans alike, but it is not without its controversy. Since announcing his new squad, Capello has lost three players – Paul Robinson retired from international football, tired of being a “No. 3 or 4 goalkeeper”. Robinson’s retirement was followed the next day by Wes Brown’s decision to quiet international football. And as if the footballing gods were against him, Darren Bent also left the England camp after picking up a back injury that is threatening to rule him out of Sunderland’s opening Premier League fixture this weekend.
While many managers (and players) are questioning the necessity to call up World Cup players to this week’s friendly, the changes in this squad is a step in the right direction. The inclusion of Michael Dawson, Phil Jagielka, and Gary Cahill signals a fresh start for England’s back four. Kieran Gibbs has been brought into the squad, no doubt as an understudy and long-term replacement for Ashley Cole. The presence of Theo Walcott and Adam Johnson will add another dynamic on the wing, and in conjunction with Villa duo, James Milner and Ashley Young, could add the balance to England’s midfield. In the middle of the park, England remain, unfortunately, relatively unchanged. Capello’s decision not to include Scott Parker still baffles me. Parker was outstanding last season and was included in the provisional squad in Austria before being sent home. He is currently one of the most in-form English players and, like Paul Robinson’s exclusion from the England World Cup squad, his absence is disappointing. Barry, Gerrard, and Lampard, the spine of England’s midfield, are all retained and are joined by Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshire.
Wilshire (L) and Gibbs (R) will be looking to impress
Up front however, England are looking bright. This could be Bobby Zamora’s chance to win his first England cap – perhaps alongside Wayne Rooney, who, judging from his performance at the Community Shield, appears to have shrugged off the demons that haunted him this summer. Carlton Cole has been involved in the England setup previously and could stake a claim for a starting place in midweek. With Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch involved with Tottenham’s Champions League campaign, this will be Cole’s chance, along with Zamora, to jump up the pecking order.
Zamora: chance to shine
Earlier today, Capello suggested that England can challenge for Euro 2012, despite their disappointing summer. If he wants to achieve that, he will need a lot of work, on and off the pitch. Though the Italian has kept the core of his senior players, it doesn’t appear as if all of them are still on the same page as the former AC Milan coach. Last weekend at Wembley, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, and John Terry received Capello coldly and Ashley Cole appeared to ignore him completely. Lampard’s comments early this week, suggesting that he is being forced to play for England despite being unfit for the friendly, also hints of animosity among the camp.
For now, though, it is all sunny and friendly at England’s London Colney training ground. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again. It’s time for of Mr. Gerrard’s heroics and leadership to guide his team out of this slump. With Terry’s poor form (he was shocking on Sunday against United), and half-fit senior players, England needs a leader. The Three Lions need a leader to step up and make this team work. Make the team work. Good luck on Wednesday lads.
Gerrard leading the lads out
England squad for Hungary friendly: Hart (GK), Foster (GK), G Johnson, Terry, Dawson, Jagielka, Cahill, A Cole, Gibbs, Walcott, Young, Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Milner, A Johnson, Wilshire, Rooney, C Cole, Zamora.
