Where does Capello go now?

Michael Owen has been ruled out for the rest of the season. It’s sad for him, but at least now he won’t keep on being mentioned every time a conversation drifts towards the World Cup and who might the great Fabio be taking with him. I always find it helpful when talking about selection issues, especially for a World Cup squad, that it is made clear whether discussions are based around personal preferences for the squad, or the realistic views of where the manager might go, as they tend to differ. Seeing as I have mentioned both avenues, I will share who I think Capello will be choosing, based on the latest friendly squad, and then look at other players who in my opinion should be going, but probably won’t be. The observant amongst you will be eager to point out that Capello is a world class football manager and coach, and I am neither (unless you go by Football Manager record) so my opinion doesn’t count for a great deal, but we all love to have our say on who should be in the England team, and I am no different. As an aside, I am going to assume Wayne Bridge will continue his self-imposed exile from the squad, and that Ashley Cole will be fit to take his place on the plane.

Capello has to announce a 28-man provisional squad on May 16th, a day after the FA Cup Final. This squad is then whittled down to 23 on June 1st, ahead of England’s opening group clash on June 12th against USA.

England’s possible 28 man squad:

Goalkeepers:
Green, James, Hart, Foster

Defenders:
Ferdinand (c), Terry, Glen Johnson, Upson, Ashley Cole, Baines, Warnock, Wes Brown, Lescott.

Midfielders:
Gerrard (vc), Lampard, Barry, Milner, Wright-Phillips, Carrick, Downing, Beckham, Walcott

Strikers:
Rooney, Crouch, Heskey, Defoe, Carlton Cole, Agbonlahor

From that list, the five players to be dropped from the squad would be Foster, Warnock, Agbonlahor, Wes Brown and Walcott. Controversial that Beckham will remain, but as he has been continually involved in the squads, I can’t see Capello leaving him out. Wes Brown is not playing consistently for Man Utd, and I think Milner could play right back if needed. Walcott is not in any sort of form, and SWP came off the bench to great effect against Egypt.

There are also a number of players who might consider themselves unlucky not to be in South Africa. Some names to mull over include Darren Bent, Michael Dawson, Bobby Zamora. Micah Richards and Ashley Young. Theo Walcott will be disappointed his form has deserted him after injury, but his time is yet to come. Aaron Lennon was in super form before injury disrupted his season. Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate have been in the treatment room most of the season and have never really got close to the squad. Jimmy Bullard and Owen Hargreaves will be hoping they get some game time towards the end of the season to off themselves up for selection, but Capello has probably already made his mind up, and his only concerns will now come from keeping his key personal fit and fresh.

And finally, to those who I think might get their opportunity post the World Cup include Man City’s Adam Johnson, and Ryan Shawcross is on the radar so he would hope for another call up. Many eyes will be on the development of a lot of the current under-21 set up, including Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, who has been receiving rave reviews for some time now. Daniel Sturridge has scored a few goals for Chelsea, and the Everton duo of Gosling and Rodwell have been getting plenty of first team opportunities at Goodison Park.

Capello has plenty to arm himself with this summer, but perhaps more exciting to see is the promising talent that he will have to work with over the next couple of years in the build up to the European Championships.