World Cup 2014: Who will make England's 23-man squad?
Posted by Sport.co.uk on: 05 July 2010 - 11:12
Author: Marcus Bullock
With yet another early World Cup under England’s belt, South Africa was the last chance that our supposed golden generation of footballers had to bring home the trophy; for it is very unlikely that the likes of Lampard, Gerrard, Cole, Terry and Ferdinand will ever feature again on the World Cup stage. And although many have been quick to point out that these players cannot be replaced by our current youth academy products, the future of English football is not as bleak as some pessimists have been so quick to declare.
Manager: With Capello clinging on to his job after a disappointing early World Cup exit, there is a huge probability that, come 2014, the national squad will be in different hands. If that turn of events does come to pass, who could possibly steer England to victory. The FA would most probably favour an Englishman for the job. Taking a huge guess…
David Beckham – Ruled out of the 2010 World Cup due to a torn Achilles tendon, it looks as if David Beckham’s national playing career is over. Sitting on the bench in South Africa in an “advisory role”, Beckham has surely started to wonder if his future lies in management, not modelling. He is the third highest capped player in English history with115 appearances for England and 17 goals, and though he says he has maybe 2 more years in him at club level, many speculate that he could end this earlier, especially if rumoured with a management position. Obviously completely untried at management level, it be too early to gauge Beckham’s tactical proficiency- however, playing top flight football in 3 different countries for a career of 17 years will surely have done something to Beckham’s tactical approach to the sport. One only has to look at successful players like Klinsmann and Maradona to see that World Cup management success is not an unfeasible reality. Though he has distanced himself from the flood of media reports linking him with the job, only time can reveal Beckham’s intentions for the future.
Assistant Manager:
Gary Neville - The 19 year Manchester United veteran has linked himself with a future in management in a few press interviews, and if Capello were to leave, many of his Italian entourage would depart with him. A potential replacement for Franco Baldini, Neville would surely have some enlightening advice for our defenders- but would he have the correct mentality to cover the rest of the squad. At this moment, one can only speculate, but his calm, unwavering, headstrong character displayed throughout his career at United is surely one indicator that he has the right mindset for management.
Starting Line-up, 4-4-2:
GK: Joe Hart, 23 (27) – After a magnificent season on loan at Birmingham City, there are some who would have started Joe Hart in goal at this World Cup. So when James retires at some point in the next 4 years, the hugely promising Citizens keeper will surely be first choice ahead of blunder-prone Robert Green. One just hopes that he will get enough game time at that club, with Shay Given above him in the Manchester City pecking order.
LB: Kieran Gibbs, 20 (24) – A young, speedy and energetic left back with a bright future ahead of him, Kieran Gibbs has not featured for Arsenal as much as England fans would like. Competing for Gael Clichy’s favourite position is no easy task, nevertheless Gibbs has made appearances not only in the Premiership, but also the Champions League and has 14 caps at U-21 level.
RB: Glen Johnson, 25 (29) – The attacking Liverpool right back would be 29 if he is chosen for the 2014 World Cup and would undoubtedly bring some much needed experience to a young squad. Only a glimpse of Johnson’s usual self was on display at the tournament summer and one hopes that his defensive game will be as strong as his attacking one in four years time.
CB: Gary Cahill, 24 (28) – The heart of the current Bolton defence, Cahill has been linked with many a Premiership club over the last two summers after consistently solid performances at the back. At 6ft 2, the Sheffield-born defender is a force to be reckoned with in the air and a dogged tackler, but with no experience at international level except a cap at U-21 level, there are concerns as to whether Cahill can replace a player like Terry or Ferdinand.
CB: Chris Smalling, 20 (24) – Moving from the relative obscurity of the Ryman’s Premier League to one of the world’s most famous clubs in Manchester United, Chris Smalling is a defender to look out for. Rumoured as a long term replacement for Rio Ferdinand, the 20 year old’s career can only benefit from the supervision of Alex Ferguson and from featuring alongside the likes of Nemanja Vidic.
LM: Ashley Young, 24 (28) – Young has been teetering on the edge of selection for the national team for the past three years, racking up 7 caps in total for England. He showed small glimpses of his ability in these games, but never anything like the great form we see him exhibiting at Aston Villa under Martin O’Neill. A hugely talented winger, Young has blinding pace and dribbling, but needs to work on his delivery and general consistency.
CM: Jack Rodwell, 19 (23) – Without a doubt one of England’s most exciting rising star, the Everton academy graduate has impressed commentators, managers and football fans alike, particularly this season, with a world-class goal against Manchester United and two screamers in the Europa League. Primarily a defensive midfielder, there is no doubt that Rodwell also has talent going forward, and given that he is only 19, we can hopefully foresee much progress in the next few years.
CM: Jack Wilshere, 18 (22) – The highly rated centre midfielder is to play a huge part in Arsene Wenger’s future Arsenal team and was sent by the Frenchman to Bolton Wanderers in order to gain some valuable first-team Premiership experience. For such a young man, Wilshere has already demonstrated a knowledge and style of the game normally associated with more senior footballers and all England fans should be monitoring the 18 year old’s progress with a watchful eye, especially if we want to improve on the sub-standard Gerrard-Lampard partnership.
RM: James Milner, 24 (28) - Milner was one of the few England players to emerge from the South African World Cup in any kind of positive light, with the versatile Villa midfielder putting in some superb deliveries into the box and contributing a solid work rate. He was definitely one the best Englishmen in the Premiership last season and if he continues to improve at his current rate, he may well be England’s star man or even captain come the Brazilian World Cup.
CF: Theo Walcott, 21 – Bizarrely omitted from the 2010 World Cup squad, Walcott is surely the future of the England strike force and many were left wondering after England’s early exit whether Walcott could have added anything. Becoming the youngest ever England player to score a hat-trick, Walcott scored all three goals in a historic 3-0 victory over Croatia back in September 2008, Walcott has not scored for the team since, mainly playing on the wing instead of up front. With others like Defoe, Heskey and Crouch unlikely to be the focal point of England’s future attack force, there is or certainly will be a somewhat large weight of burden on Theo Walcott’s shoulders.
CF: Wayne Rooney, 24 – Now a seemingly consistent flop at England major international tournaments, Wayne Rooney has a lot of making up to do, with some people even calling for his permanent dismissal from the squad. But there is no denying that, at club form, Rooney is England’s most talented player, and perhaps the most talented player in the entire league. If he could somehow transfer his form at club level to the international stage, like we saw briefly at Euro 2004, challenging teams defence would rightfully cringe in fear when reading the opposition line-up instead of simply winding the striker up into a debilitating fit of anger.
Squad members:
GK: Paul Robinson, 30 (34) – After a fall from grace following the 2006 Wold Cup, Paul Robinson’s career may have taken a step down when he left Spurs for Blackburn, but there is no doubt that there is talent left in the England veteran. Having been to 2 major international competitions, Robinson would be one of the few players in the squad with any experience of the tournament. He will be 34 years old by 2014, however, with goalkeepers this is usually less of an issue.
GK: Ben Foster, 27 (31) – Making his name at Ferguson’s United, Ben Foster has sealed a transfer to Birmingham City this May and will be filling Joe Hart’s boots for the 2010/11 Premiership campaign. If he can excel as much as his predecessor, this, together with his experience on the international stage already, will surely put him on the plane to Brazil in 2014.
CB: Ryan Shawcross, 22 (26) – The tall commanding Stoke centre back has impressed many fans and pundits since Stoke’s promotion to the Premier League. Linked with a move to Liverpool last summer, the 6ft 3 Chester-born defender is certainly a contender for a future England place.
LM: Adam Johnson, 22 (26) – After an impressive few years at Middlesborough, this speedy and intelligent winger is now a part of the Manchester city revolution and has already featured and shone in 15 games since being signed in February this year. He has featured briefly for the England national team when he replaced Milner in a pre-World Cup friendly 3-1 victory over Mexico in June.
CF: Gabi Agbonlahor, 23 (27) – The Aston Villa striker needs no introducing; a lightning fast forward, Agbonlahor needs to work on his finishing if he is to make the next England squad, currently having played 3 caps and scored no goals. More opportunities are undoubtedly to come.
CM: Tom Huddlestone, 23 (27) – Huddlestone has made some fantastic appearances in Tottenham’s glorious 2009/10 Premiership campaign and at the age of just 23, will be in his prime come Brazil 2014. Standing at 6ft 3 in the centre of midfield, he has already featured for Capello’s England despite not making the 2010 final squad. Hopefully after a few more seasons of hard tackling, shooting from distance and working on his passing game, Huddlestone could be a key future England midfielder.
CF: Frazier Campbell, 23 (27) – Excelling under Ferguson’s tutelage at Manchester United, Frazier Campbell currently plies his trade at Steve Bruce’s Sunderland and, provided he improves his goals to games ratio, could definitely be competing for an England striking role in the future.
LB: Ryan Bertrand, 20 (24) – Pacey left-back Bertrand has become something of a loan-star since he signed his professional contract at Chelsea, with certain coaches at the club referring to him as the next Ashley Cole. With loan spells at Bournemouth, Oldham Athletic and Norwich, the 20 year old has most impressed in his 44 appearances for Championship team Reading this season and hopefully it will not be too long before he breaks into the Chelsea team or is transferred to another team to guarantee some top-flight football experience.
CB/CM: Michael Mancienne, 22 (26) – Like Bertrand, Mancienne is a Chelsea player who has spent most of his career on loan. At QPR, he built up a formidable reputation not only as a centre back but also as a holding midfielder. Mick MacCarthy was quick to spot this talent, and as such the Chelsea lad has spent the last 2 seasons playing for Wolves, featuring on a regular basis and contributing to their survival in the Premiership.
CB/RB: Micah Richards, 22 (26) – The Manchester City defender already has experience at international level, and even a goal under his belt too. Many fans thought he was an inspiring addition to the squad when he was originally played at right back by Capello, surging up and down the right wing all game. However, he is preferred in the central position at City and has recently seen a slight dip in his once excellent form. If he can recapture this old playing mentality, the hugely strong and imposing defender will surely make the grade in 2014.
CF: Victor Moses, 19 (23) – One for the future, Moses sealed a transfer to Wigan during the January transfer window this year and if he can build on the fantastic scoring for Wigan that made him famous at Crystal Palace, the teenager will certainly be one to keep an eye on.
CB: Steven Taylor, 24 (27) – Having been touted in his early career at Newcastle as a potential future England centre-back, Stephen Taylor has never gone on to achieve an international cap. Taylor has been consistent from a young age for Newcastle, and despite their relegation from the Premiership last year, has stayed with the club and ensured their promotion back into the top league and only the future can tell whether he will still have the goods required and more in four years time.
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