The England Squad

The England Squad

Sven has announced his squad for the forthcoming World Cup and, surprisingly, it contained a few shocks:

Provisional squad:
Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich); G Neville (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Cole (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Bridge (Chelsea), Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Tottenham), Downing (Middlesbrough), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal).

Standby:
Carson (Liverpool), Young (Charlton), Reo-Coker (West Ham), Defoe (Tottenham), Johnson (Crystal Palace).

First off the goalkeepers, while it wasn't a real surprise that Green was 3rd choice many that watched him play on loan for Sheffield Wednesday this season thought that Scott Carson should of got the nod over Robert Green.

Must be said though England really do have worries over their goalkeepers with only Chris Kirkland as a possible other for the squad. Personally I would of thought it would of been better to have both Green and Carson in and drop James altogether, its not like Sven hasn't taken risks elsewhere why not with the 'keepers too?

The defence is pretty much as expected though I am unsure Campbell is a good choice - his form just hasn't justified his inclusion.

The midfield and forward line are the real worries - why so many midfielders? It can only be because Sven is expecting to play one up front in my opinion unless Rooney and Owen play. Jenas is surely the most over-rated player in the EPL, and certainly nowhere near good enough to be an England international.

Certainly no need for him when there are so many other better players for his position in the squad. And even more importantly when you only have four forwards in the squad - two of which are already injured before you start. Surely Defoe or the man I would of definitely had in the squad, Bent, would of been a better choice than Jenas. Though if he was determined to have that many midfielders Reo-Coker is a far better choice in my opinion.

I have heard a lot of people talk about Hargreaves and how he should be the one to make way for the extra striker, but I can only think these people haven't seen him play for Munich. He is an excellent player, highly rated by the likes of Wenger who everyone is happy to accept the judgement of in the case of Walcott.

Plus he is able to play in a variety of positions, which in a squad member is extremely useful ability. That ability is why, to my mind, Steven Gerrard is a far better player than Frank Lampard - can anyone imagine Lampard as a right winger? Lampard is excellent at what he does but only what he does - whereas Gerrard has been excellent everywhere he has played for Liverpool, though his best position is definitely a freer role in central midfield similar to Lampard. This is why I believe Sven is taking Hargreaves and Carrick as a holding midfielder behind Gerrard and Lampard while Crouch is alone up front.

As for Walcott, well I just have to say I would be happier with him going if there was one more striker available. Especially as two of the current chosen forwards are crocks, with Rooney almost certain only to be available for the semi-final at most. But overall I would say that Sven has chosen well - I am especially pleased to see him take the widemen when Crouch is likely to be playing up front.

Article written by Tris Burke