England World Cup Squad

Posted by: rackkit on 08 May 2006

Couple of surprises in there. Well for Sven anyway.

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 (Totenham)
Downing (Middlesbrough)
J Cole (Chelsea)
Lennon (Tottenham)

Rooney (Manchester United)

Owen (Newcastle)
Crouch (Liverpool)
Walcott (Arsenal)

Posted on: 08 May 2006 by Bruce Woodhouse

Is this the 'final' squad? Could they call up more forwards if Owen/Rooney blob? (Defoe and Bent I guess although neither fill me with confidence).

Wright-Phillips must be even more certain that his transfer to Chelsea was a bad idea now, although Walcott and Lennon ahead in the queue seems a bit surprising.

Bruce

Posted on: 08 May 2006 by Richard AV

It's a provisional squad, I think the squad proper is named on May 15th. In the event that a player is injured and cannot play then FIFA rules dictate they can be replaced no later than 24 hours before the first game they play. I don't see Rooney being fit, which is a real shame as he is the only good striker we have.

I am also amazed that Kieran Richardson has been left out completely. I suggest that Fergie gives Sven a call and lets him know that he gets no more info on Rooney unless he includes Richardson.

Hargreaves going is a disgrace, probably the most dull and useless player I have ever seen. Same thought applies to Ledley King being left out, although I am told he is injured.

Including Theo Walcott may have been one of those surprise players IF you know you have your two main strikers (and probably one other) that are 100% starters, Can we not take Terry Henry, he's English?

Posted on: 08 May 2006 by Richard AV

quote:
Originally posted by Richard @ Soundcraft:
It's a provisional squad, I think the squad proper is named on May 15th. In the event that a player is injured and cannot play then FIFA rules dictate they can be replaced no later than 24 hours before the first game they play. I don't see Rooney being fit, which is a real shame as he is the only good striker we have.

I am also amazed that Kieran Richardson has been left out completely. I suggest that Fergie gives Sven a call and lets him know that he gets no more info on Rooney unless he includes Richardson. Hargreaves going is a disgrace, probably the most dull and useless player I have ever seen. Same thought applies to Ledley King being left out, although I am told he is injured.

Including Theo Walcott may have been one of those surprise players IF you know you have your two main strikers (and probably one other) that are 100% starters, Can we not take Terry Henry, he's English?

Posted on: 08 May 2006 by Bob McC

He's also named the 5 stand bys if someone does get injured. The usual suspects.

Posted on: 08 May 2006 by Chillkram

Well it's certainly bold, apart from Hargreaves that is, he has been poor for England whenever he has played.
Walcott being selected draws parallels with Rooney, although most people had actually seen Rooney play at 17. Walcott is just a rumour.

I think it will change before we go because up front looks a bit of a problem. Especially with Owen still a doubt and Rooney with as much chance as me of playing in this world cup!

Mark

Posted on: 08 May 2006 by Guido Fawkes

Is this a team in which Sven believes
Did I really read the name Owen Hargreaves

Posted on: 08 May 2006 by Two-Sheds

I'm happy that Sven picked Lennon, I've only seen him a couple of times, but on both occasions he has looked good. Quick, good on the ball and a good final ball. I really didn't think Sven would pick him.

The only 2 I'm surprised at are Owen Hargreaves, he must be a decent player because he's a Bayern regular and maybe it's a bit harsh since I've never seen him play for his club, but for England he's never looked great. I would have thought Scott Parker would have been a better choice.

The other surprise it Mr Walcott. I mean how did he get there?? we hear noises about Wrigh-Phillips hasn't been playing enough and then he goes and picks someone with no top flight games at all, and no games this year? I had to go to google to find out some stats, the only ones I can find is that this season he has had 13 starts and 8 substitute appearance in the championship (2nd division) for Southampton and 1 substitute apperance in the carling cup (again for southampton). From these he has scored 4 goals and 1 assist (all in the championship).

I must say the other strikers didn't fill me with any confidence (defoe or bent). The only other option would have been to take an older striker with a past record (sheringham, fowler), but realistically maybe this is the only option.

I hope if Rooney is not fit enough for the first game he is dropped and a replacement striker is bought in, because only having three recognised strikers in crouch, owen and walcott would worry me especially with Owen's past injury record.

Posted on: 09 May 2006 by Steve G

Walcott is a big gamble which might work out, however common sense would have been to include Bent as well. He's a long way from being the best striker in the world, but he has scored more EPL goals this season than any other English striker - and that includes Rooney.

Rooney is almost certain not to be available, Owen is dubious (and as best won't be 100%), Crouch has scored 8 goals in 32 games this season, and Walcott has scored a total of 4 goals (all in the championship) in his entire professional career.

It sounds likely that if Rooney & Owen don't make it then the starters upfront will be Crouch and Joe Cole.

Posted on: 09 May 2006 by Bruce Woodhouse

Apparently Sven has never seen Walcott play. Ever.

Bruce

Posted on: 09 May 2006 by 7V

quote:
Originally posted by Steve G:
It sounds likely that if Rooney & Owen don't make it then the starters upfront will be Crouch and Joe Cole.

If Owen doesn't look fit and ready 24 hours before the group stages, Defoe will be brought in. Owen demonstrated last year at Real Madrid that he doesn't need much playing time to come on and score goals.

If by the start of the tournament it looks unlikely that Rooney will be ready in time for the semi-finals, he will be replaced as well.

Crouch gives options and frightens defenders but he won't necessarily start.

Sven had to take a view on whether Bent is good enough at the very highest level. Scoring goals against Argentina, Holland, France or Brazil is not the same as banging them in against Birmingham, Sunderland, Fulham or Man City.

Walcott is a prodigious talent. Arsene Wenger knows how to pick them. He probably won't start games but gives options if we run out of ideas - like against Brazil or Portugal in the last couple of tournaments.

Good on you Sven.

Posted on: 09 May 2006 by 7V

quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
Apparently Sven has never seen Walcott play. Ever.

He has seen him in training and on video.

However, he took advice from Wenger and Tord Grip who has (that's what we pay him for).

Posted on: 09 May 2006 by Steve G

quote:
Originally posted by 7V:
However, he took advice from Wenger and Tord Grip who has (that's what we pay him for).

Apparently he also took advice from Southampton, but given they get £2m the first time he plays for England...

Posted on: 09 May 2006 by 7V

quote:
Originally posted by Steve G:
Apparently he also took advice from Southampton, but given they get £2m the first time he plays for England...

I believe it's 20 appearances for England (one could be a fluke). Remember though that it's Wenger's lot who'd have to pay that.

Posted on: 09 May 2006 by ians

I don't know what everyone's getting so excited about? It's only a game!

Posted on: 11 May 2006 by Richard AV

quote:
Originally posted by ians:
I don't know what everyone's getting so excited about? It's only a game!

Heathen!

Posted on: 12 May 2006 by Chumpy

Although it is nice to include 'surprise' who might one day be super, it is IMO shame it is at expense of e.g. deserving competent player(s).

Quite honestly, I despite his insanely high salary etc/not bad record most of the time do question having Sven in post NOW ...

Posted on: 12 May 2006 by Guido Fawkes

I remember when the England midfield was Mathew Le Tissier, David Platt, David Batty and Paul Gascoigne. Yes that's right -

Matty, Platty, Batty and Fatty

Now we've got Owen Hargreaves

Posted on: 12 May 2006 by Guido Fawkes

Any advance on this England team