England have all but qualified for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine next summer, but what conclusions can we draw from Fabio Capello’s squad selection for this week’s trip to Montenegro (England 9/1 – Euro 2012 – Outright).
The Three Lions hold a six-point lead over this week’s opponents having played a game more which means avoiding defeat will be enough to send the likes of Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Ashley Cole to another international tournament. England did not feature at Euro 2008 thanks to Steve McClaren’s disastrous reign and it’s fair to say hopes will not be too high in nine months’ time given the fact the 2010 World Cup campaign is still too fresh in the memory.
In fact, the Three Lions have an extremely unspectacular record in the history of the European Championships – third place in 1968 and 1996 are all they can shout about – and fans are wary after the flop in South Africa. As in the current qualification campaign, England made short work of getting to South Africa 2010 so what does the future bode for the crop of players – based on the squad for Montenegro – who will represent the country in the summer of 2012?
Goalkeepers: Scott Carson (Bursaspor), Joe Hart (Man City), David Stockdale (Ipswich)
No disrespect to the others, but Capello had better hope Joe Hart stays fit as he is simply head and shoulders above the competition which can cause its own problems.
Should anything happen to Hart, a keeper who will play a lot of high-pressure games between now and next summer, the cupboard is pretty bare.
On the flip side, Hart is competing in the Champions League this term and will be better for it.
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Phil Jones (Man Utd), Micah Richards (Man City), John Terry (captain, Chelsea), Kyle Walker (Tottenham)
All things being equal, captain John Terry and left-back Ashley Cole will be among the first names on Capello’s teamsheet.
Rio Ferdinand used to be but the centre-half now faces a battle not just for an international start but also one at Manchester United given his injury problem and the Red Devils’ recruitment drive.
Gary Cahill and Phil Jones will want to push Ferdinand – who has only just returned to fitness – all the way as he looks to return at some point.
At right-back Glen Johnson seems to have slipped behind Kyle Walker and Micah Richards because of his ongoing injury issues.
Midfield: Gareth Barry (Man City), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Man City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Man City), Scott Parker (Tottenham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Man Utd)
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has rightly been omitted as he has hardly played since March but will make Euro 2012 if fit.
Elsewhere, Capello has big calls to make with many of his current squad hardly guaranteed starts at their respective clubs.
England’s midfield used to be predictable but only Ashley Young seems sure of his place at the moment, while tough-tackling Scott Parker’s suitability for international tournament football surely a question mark over his role in Poland and Ukraine.
Going out on a limb, Owen Hargreaves and Jack Wilshere will not be living in fear of making an impact now the former is back and the latter certain to make an impact at some point when he does return to action.
Strikers: Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd), Danny Welbeck (Man Utd), Bobby Zamora (Fulham)
Wayne Rooney’s 2010 World Cup meltdown seems an eternity away and the fans will be delighted about it.
But what he really needs is a foil to play off and you could make cases for both Andy Carroll and Darren Bent.
However, Capello likes pace around Rooney like Young and Walcott so it seems Rooney + A.N. Other up front will likely form the Italian’s Plan B.
What does seem certain though is that Peter Crouch and Michael Owen can book their summer holidays already.
England are 8/11 to win in Montenegro, the draw is 9/4 and a home win available at 10/3.
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