Capello’s World Cup Selection Headache - Forwards
The final installment of our feature on the selection headache for England Manager Fabio Capello ahead of this summers World Cup looks at the striking options for England.
It would seem pretty obvious that Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney will occupy one of the forward roles should as expected England utilise a 4-4-2 system, most likely with Rooney sitting in the space between the midfield and a striker.
That leaves one space open, where Capello will be looking to use an out and out goalscorer in order to give England a cutting edge finish for all the potential midfield creativity. The options for Capello would seem to be pretty good with a combination of pacey strikers such as Defoe, Owen and Agbonlahor and tall players such as Crouch and Heskey who are capable of holding up the ball as well as finishing off chances. Defoe has always been a potent goal threat domestically with a good scoring record for West Ham, Portsmouth and two stints at Tottenham. His England record has been impressive as well; in the few opportunities he has had he has often scored and always managed to trouble the opposition. Defoe will certainly be in the 23 man squad, whther he is in the first 11 will likely depend on whether Capello wants to play quick, intricate football in the style of Arsenal and Barcelona or whther he will favour a ‘little and large’ approach; teaming Rooney with someone such as Heskey or Crouch as he has previously used during the qualifying campaign. Whatever the style, Michael Owen would look a long shot for a place in the 23 man squad. Having not appeared in any of Capello’s selections and playing little football at Man Utd, Owens pedigree cant be doubted but he will require a long run of games to prove his fitness and form to Capello. Agbonlahor has an outside chance of making the final 23 man squad and it would be a surprise if he started any games. His pace, aerial ability and overall finishing are good however perhaps due to the system Aston Villa play and the role he takes in that system means that he hasn’t shown he can score on a consistent basis - the requirement for a striker at international level.
In regards to the taller players who can take up the remaining striker position the options would appear to be Peter Crouch of Spurs and Emile Heskey of Aston Villa. Crouch has a solid scoring record both domestically and internationally, he is more than capable with the ball in the air and at his feet and has good positioning. However, critics argue that most of his international goals have come aginst relative weak opposition and since joining Spurs this season he has failed to score on a regular basis when he does get the chance to play. Heskey received much criticism when playing under Sven Goran Eriksson for England due to his low goal to game rate and failure on occasion to stand up when under pressure, particularly in light of his physical size. Since returning to the England set-up Heskey has impressed in his intial games upon returning proving to be a useful player in holding up the ball and continuing attacks, however he still lacks goals.
Capello may opt for a player to lead the attack that comprises both the speed and agility of Defoe et al and the stature and strength of Crouch and Heskey. If Capello, did want a player up front that comprises these qualities then he may be tempted to select Carlton Cole of West Ham or Darren Bent of Sunderland. Carlton Cole has proven that had he been given the chance at Chelsea he may now already be a regular in the England squad, he has strength, height, aerial ability, pace, touch and as he has demonstrated with some of his goals in the last two seasons for West Ham excellent finishing ability. Darren Bent has shown since leaving a turbulent time at Tottenham Hotspur, that he still has the scoring touch at Sunderland as he is currently one of the top english strikers in the Premier League and close to the top of the overall Premier League scorers. Bent has shown he can score with both feet, his head, has pace and like Cole, Defoe and Crouch has great positioning and a single minded almost selfish streak for scoring which is what top strikers have. Bent also scores a number of goals inside the 18 yard and 6 yard box respectively, which could be useful in international games, particularly for a team such as England who will look to create from the midfield and put balls in the box.
Who Capello picks will depend on how he wants England to play and where he expects goals to come from as well how many forwards he plans to take. If he decides to take an extra mdfielder and sacrifice a forward player then he may decide to choose Rooney, Defoe and one from Heskey, Crouch, Bent and Cole depending on injuries and goal to games ratio at the end of the domestic season.