Capello’s World Cup Selection Headache - Midfielders
If Capello may struggle to decide on Englands defensive players due to a lack of options the same certainly can’t be said of the midfield.
Capello has proven some journalists wrong who believed that Gerrard and Lampard can’t play in the middle of the park together, successfully combining them in qualifying matches. However, England are currently blessed in this department with Capello having other options should either Gerrard or Lampard become unavailable. Gareth Barry is the first that comes to mind, potentially a starter for many, Barry has proved since rising to full international status that he has the ability to perform consistently well for England against any opposition . Barry can go from box to box but with the addition of having a strong defensive element to his game, which perhaps Gerrard and Lampard don’t have as well as a confidence and calm temperament key when playing at a World Cup. Should either become injured or should Capello consider a change from the 4-4-2 formation Barry will surely be the addition to the first 11 ahead of any other players in the central midfield position. Other possibilities for a central role could be the quickly emerging and ever consistent James Milner who has impressed since joining Aston Villa, continuing his impressive form from last season into this season and since moving from a wide to position to central midfield for Aston Villa has added a spate of goals to his direct creative play. Milners experience at playing Under 21 international football for England, including coming very close to winning the Under 21 European tournament means he has experience of the international tournament set-up beyond other rivals for the position. Another option, probably in a squad role is Scott Parker who has been in great form in a struggling West Ham team. Parker has the ability to play on the international stage and many pundits, journalists and players; past and present have heralded Parkers abilities as a box to box midfielder who makes as many key passes as key tackles. Parkers international career has been stunted due to a run of injuries and a spell on the bench at Stamford Bridge but he is the star player at West Ham and in difficult circumstances has shown the ability and leadership necessary to compete at the highest level. An outside chance of making the squad could be Michael Carrick. Carrick has under performed for club and country and the hype since his move from Spurs to Man Utd looks like finally fading away. Without the defensive attributes of some of his competitors and a lack of goals and creativity with his supposed passing range going forward Carrick could struggle to impress Capello enough to take him to South Africa.
England also have good options on the flanks, beginning with the left of midfield. The form of Aston Villa’s Ashley Young over the last 2-3 seasons has not only be consistent but consistently impressive and no England fan even those on the blue side of Birmingham could argue that he doesn’t deserve an opportunity on the left hand side, particularly with the injury and lack of games so far that Joe Cole has seen. However Young’s competition for that prized place on the left hand could come from Aston Villa team mate Stewart Downing. Since moving from Middlesborough to Aston Villa and recovering from an injury at the early part of the season Downing seems to be getting back to his best. No longer having to hold up a sinking ship at Middlesborough and now playing with better players in a creative free flowing attacking team with similarly talented and attacking players such as Milner, Young and Agbonlahor, Downing has imposed himself into an impressive Aston Villa team demonstrating his passing ability as well as contributing with goals. Downing may also be a useful addition to Capellos England squad as he is a naturally left footed player and would be capable of staying wide, where as previously right footed players asked to play on the left have sought to cut inside, Downing could stretch opposition midfields and keep the right back occupied whilst delivering quality balls in and around the box. Like Young, Downing is also competent from set pieces, whether from corners or freekicks Young and Downing have demonstrated that they can consistently deliver quality whether as a pass or as a shot on goal. England will need the midfield to contribute with goals and along with Gerrard and Lampard both Young and Downing have the ability and approach to contribute.
Capello will no doubt be seriously considering who to play on the right side of England midfield with several players available. Aaron Lennon has been in probably his best form this season, both creating and scoring for Tottenham with his crossing a notable improvement. Lennons pace, skill and direct play will worry any defence and should he maintain his blistering form Capello will surely consider him as a viable option however Lennon has suffered from a long injury this season and the lack of games in the lead up to the end of the season may see Lennon lose the attention of Mr Capello. Should Capello not opt for Lennon then there is a man on the red side of North London that Capello may choose in his place. Theo Walcott has as much if not more, pace, skill, passing and scoring ability as Lennon and with his experience of playing Champions League and regularly for the England Under 21’s, Walcott arguably has shown he has what it takes to play at the highest level. Walcott has suffered from injury setbacks which has restricted his time playing for club and country, however he will be desperate to match his potential on the pitch and should he hit form, playing regularly for Arsenal it would be hard for Capello to leave him on the sidelines. Capello does have other options for the right side of midfield; Shaun Wright-Phillips occupies the role for Man City and has played on the flank for England in friendlies and competitive games with varying success. However, Wright-Phillips hasn’t managed to sustain a regular role for his club and he has displayed a problem with consistency with his final delivery still not to the same standard as Walcott and Lennon. Furthermore, at a tournament such as The World Cup every player must be on top of their game for every minute of every game and Capello may feel that he can’t rely on Wright-Phillips to produce regularly enough to make the position his own. Of course it is hard to have any article regarding England without a special mention for the worlds most famous player; David Beckham.
For over a decade, since his appearance at the 1998 World Cup, Beckham has demonstrated that he can be the difference for England and with his unmatched ability for picking a pass, set pieces, experience and desire to win, Beckham would appear to be important for England both on and off the pitch. Furthermore Beckham has been successful outside of the Premier League demonstrating true World Class during his time at Real Madrid, LA Galaxy and AC Milan. Beckham has had to prove himself on numerous occasions including when he convinced the former Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello that he was worthy of a place in the Real Madrid team and was key to their eventual title success. Upon joining AC Milan he demonstrated his ability to impact positively on a team and helped the flailing team to a vast improvement during his time there so much that they made him a significant signing for this season. Beckham has not only demonstrated his footballing ability but also his dedication and mental strength and desire to win, no more so than when he returned to LA Galaxy to face fans, journalists and team mates who felt he had chosen country before club. However, he managed to prove his critics wrong once again with a series of impressive displays that led to LA Galaxy almost winning the MLS title. Away from the media hysteria Beckham is a footballer, and a very good one and with several impressive displays as a substitute for England since stepping down as Captain where his experience, vision, pride and notable passing ability helped unlock teams England had previously struggled against. Although an achilles injury appears to have put dreams of playing in a fourth World Cup to a sad end, Capello has seen first hand when at Real Madrid what Beckham offers on and off the pitch and his leadership skills off the pitch and influence on the players in the build up to games could be a key ingredient to the success of Englands World Cup campaign even if he isn’t able to play.