The England manager Fabio Capello has kept to his post 2010 World Cup word. The Italian promised to rejuvenate the England squad with young, fresh and inexperienced players. The idea was to weed out those who had tried and failed and to bring in those who were untested. England had, more or less, persevered with same squad for 6 years and there had been no success. England had not even reached a semi-final of a major tournament. The English public were unwilling to stand quietly by and watch the same players be provided with another chance. Changes were demanded. Looking at Fabio Capello’s first international squad after the 2010 World Cup it is quite clear he is of the same mind. It is time for a new generation of players to be given an opportunity and now, 2 years before the next tournament finals begin, is the ideal time to begin preparing them for the experience.
Theo Walcott is recalled although it is probably unlikely that an apology, for removing Theo Walcott from the World Cup squad at the last moment, is forthcoming. Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs are both called up for the first time. Though both selections were expected they do reveal the shocking lack of options available to Fabio Capello. Jack Wilshere, at the moment perhaps the 5th choice central midfielder at Arsenal, and Keiron Gibbs, the second choice left back at Arsenal, have played a total of 13 Premiership matches for Arsenal. Between them. Adam Johnson, the Manchester City winger, has also been called up to the national squad.
Gary Cahill of Bolton, Phil Jagielka of Everton and Michael Dawson of Tottenham have been called up as England search for new central defenders who can begin to replace John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. There is no space for Jamie Carragher despite his decision to reverse his international retirement before the 2010 World Cup. Ashley Young, often overlooked by Fabio Capello, is to be given another opportunity in midfield. In attack Carlton Cole, Bobby Zamora and Darren Bent have been selected. Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch of Tottenham have not, although there is some suspicion that Fabio Capello has agreed to leave them out at Harry Redknapp’s request because Tottenham have two very important Champions League qualifiers approaching. Emile Heskey, of course, has retired and is therefore no longer an option.
David James and Robert Green, the two goalkeepers used during England’s appearance at the 2010 World Cup finals, have both been dropped. Paul Robinson and Ben Foster have both been called up alongside the presumably new number one Joe Hart. Just to further illustrate the problems Fabio Capello has his new number one goalkeeper is only number two at Manchester City, where Joe Hart is second to Shay Given.
Fabio Capello wants to change his squad but he is having to swap established experienced internationals with players who are second string for their own clubs.In the space of 3 months English football has turned on its head. The friendly against Hungary at Wembley is regarded by many in England as a distraction before the English Premiership begins. For Fabio Capello Wednesday is the start of a new journey for England.
