23 For 2010: Choosing the England Squad for South Africa pt. 1 – Keepers & Defenders

We are delighted to welcome new columnist Steve Candy to Just-Football.com, who for his first piece assesses the England players in contention to board that plane for South Africa next summer. Which 23 will make the list? Who should Fabio Capello include in his squad and who should be dropped? In part 1, Steve takes a look at the goalkeepers and defenders:

An impressive qualifying campaign such as England’s throws up some interesting questions for those looking forward to next year’s global spectacle. The discussion about us being able to win it is not one I would wish to undertake single handed or sober. The fear of getting caught up in the ‘Arise Sir Fabio’, ‘Bring us the gold of South Africa Sgt. J.T.’ or ‘Knighthood for all (including Ashley)’ headlines brings me out in a cold sweat. I got carried away in 2002, when a 3-0 victory over Denmark sent the nation into raptures. I still had high hopes even as I watched Wayne Rooney grab his foot in agony in April 2006. For the good of my heart and my sanity when it all comes crashing down around me and my friends again in 2010 I’m not going to say how I think it’ll all end up.

I will however, give you my very early thoughts on the 23 players that I believe will be going to South Africa enabling us to get carried away after we beat North Korea 1-0 in the group stages. Please note that this is the squad that I believe will go to the World Cup not the collection of players that I would take. As with all subjective writing on matters as important as this, I welcome and expect disagreement. I’ve also covered myself by including those I think would be the five standby choices of Mr. Capello.

When compiling the list it dawned on me how important it is to have balance throughout the twenty three. Unfortunately with England it is not possible in all areas. I have also included those that have question marks over their fitness but would definitely improve the quality of the squad and most probably be included should they be of adequate condition.

Goalkeepers

1. David James
13. Robert Green
23. Chris Kirkland

Up until this past week’s qualifiers I was really questioning whether or not to have David James in the squad. Before the season started I would have had Ben Foster with the number one jersey. I got caught up in hailing Foster as our next Shilton before he’d had a run in the United team. I very much hope he comes good in the future but with Van Der Sar returning his chance for next summer has been and gone.

The Ukraine game put James back in contention. Not only does he seem to be able to cope well when those in front of him are lacking in many areas he can also rescue our cause with saves of breathtaking quality. His late save in Saturday’s game reminded me very much of his performance against Turkey six years ago in the Stadium of Light.

Robert Green is assured back-up; he was extremely unlucky on Saturday to be caught between the rock and hard place of a Ferdinand mistake and a goal conceded for the thirteen minutes his comrade Rio allowed him to be on the pitch. In fact he’s been stuck there since he’s been given a chance in the team. Should injury befall James, Green will be ready to fill in. A long hard season in West Ham’s goal should see him sharp.

Chris Kirkland goes to South Africa just ahead of Joe Hart. I feel that he has been overlooked a little, perhaps due to his injury problems. At the time of writing these seem to be over and I would not be unhappy to see him helping warm-up James before our games next summer.

Defenders

2. Glen Johnson
3. Ashley Cole
5. John Terry
6. Rio Ferdinand
12. Wes Brown
15. Jonathan Woodgate
19. Micah Richards
21. Wayne Bridge

There are signs that Glen Johnson is beginning to understand the need to make a more telling contribution when in his own half of the pitch during the game. By no means is he the finished article but if he takes on board the positives of Mr. Benitez’s tactical nous and forgets anything zonal then England should have a right back (remember that: Right Back) to be proud of. The following three names should be written in permanent ink on the team sheet. I really hope that Rio Ferdinand finds the form that makes some put him in the same bracket as Beckenbauer because without Ledley Kin
g as competition for the shirt (and what a shame that is) there isn’t really anyone who could assume his place alongside Terry.

In regard to John Terry, he seems to be playing and commanding this year with a real sense of purpose and I hope that keeps going for the next nine months. Ashley Cole, if you noted my dig earlier, is not one of my favourites. It comes down to attitude but I can see past it when someone is playing with consistency throughout a calendar year. Cole, A is also one of the only defenders I’ve seen be able to cope with the Portuguese winger/forward that plies his trade in Spain now particularly on the international stage.

When it comes to the back-up for these four I’ve tried to fill each position across the defence. Initially I had Joleon Lescott instead of Jonathan Woodgate due to his ability to be a solid back-up to Ashley Cole or in the centre. Woodgate, should he be fit and reports that he played recently behind closed doors for Spurs are encouraging, is a classy alternative. He can compliment Terry or Ferdinand very well should it warrant and, fingers crossed, should he be fit.

Wes Brown can deputise for Johnson or again one of the central positions. His, again, is a question of fitness and whether he can get back into the Manchester Untied team. Defensive performances on the whole from United this season suggest he can. Micah Richards is out of Mr. Capello’s thoughts at the moment. Out of all of my choices he is possibly the most unlikely to board the plane to South Africa. I feel though that his adventurous style is a good fit if Johnson is out and although out of Manchester City’s first eleven at the moment there is enough about him to force his way back in.

Finally, like getting holes in your socks it is a certainty that Wayne Bridge will be back up for long term boy in front Cole, A. I like Leighton Baines, Stephen Warnock and even Kieran Gibbs but it is sure to be Bridge.

Follow this link for Part 2 – England’s midfielders and strikers for the World Cup 2010.

Ashley Cole, David James, England, John Terry, Jonathan Woodgate, Rio Ferdinand, Steve Candy, World Cup 2010