Tag Archives: England

England squad want veteran David

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England’s players have told head coach Fabio Capello they want David James (9/1 to win the Yashin Award) to be their goalkeeper for the World Cup.

The 39-year-old Portsmouth player has declared himself fit to face USA in Saturday’s Group C clash in Rustenberg, despite sitting out training this week.

James, who has 50 international caps, is the most experienced of the three keepers Capello has taken to the finals, but he did not feature in Monday-s 3-0 warm-up victory over Platimum Stars – when rivals Joe Hart and Robert Green got 45 minutes each.

Everton keeper Tim Howard (66/1), who will be the USA’s number one choice, says he believes Hart is the best of the three and voted for him in the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Team of the Year poll.

But both Howard and James are agreed on the unsuitability of the new Jabulani World Cup football, as are Spain’s Iker Casillas (5/1) and 2006 Yashin Award winner Gianluigi Buffon (6/1).

The former Manchester United shot-stopper Howard believes the current wave of criticism from keepers and strikers alike may only be the tip of the iceberg with the finals due to begin on Friday.

“It’s terrible,” said Howard. “You will hear that a lot next week, next month.

“We are trying to get used to it, trying to read an unreadable situation. Hopefully it’s not going to come back and bite us but you are going to see some crazy things with the ball.

“What does it do? What doesn’t it do, would be a better question.

“It moves all over. If you hit five balls with the same striking motion you wouldn’t get the same result.”

Fans could be forgiven for expecting a goal glut during the finals (5/6 to be over 160.5 goals in Total Number of Goals Scored) with last time’s total of 147 under threat from the Jabulani ball.

“It’s very weird,” Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano said. “All of a sudden it changes trajectory on you. It’s like it doesn’t want to be kicked: like someone is guiding it……….it’s supernatural.”

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Terry expresses England concerns

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John Terry has admitted that England (2/7 f with totesport to win Group C) have had problems coming to terms with playing at high altitude but insists the players will be ready for the World Cup.

Fabio Capello’s men beat Platinum Stars 3-0 in their final warm-up game on Monday in an uninspiring performance, on the back of unconvincing wins against Mexico and Japan.

Jermain Defoe, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney scored the goals against the Stars and Terry believes that the run-out served its purpose as it helped the players get more used to conditions they will experience in the upcoming showpiece.

“We had one to two weeks off and you lose a bit of sharpness, but that’s improving,” Terry said. “The altitude has been more of surprise to me. Your mouth is really dry.

“We train at quite a high level anyway, coming here was another 150m higher again and we certainly felt that.

“We’re looking good. We needed this game to get used to the flight of the ball and the altitude.”

Fabio Capello’s men get their campaign underway on Saturday against the USA and are 4/9 favourites in the match betting to open up with a win, with the Americans available at 13/2 and the draw at 16/5.

The players will of course hope that their training has had the desired effect as the opening match is taking place at altitude in Rustenburg, at a venue 1403m above sea level, and if they make it to the quarter-finals, they will have to play again in thin, dry air.

Terry has also spoken out about the ‘Jabulani’ ball that is to be used in the World Cup and seems to have joined the ranks of dissenters, which already includes Spain’s Iker Casillas and Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon, while David James said the new ball was ‘dreadful’.

“It’s important we put in a lot of crosses in the box and get a lot of shots in from outside the box,” said Terry. “It’s difficult for the keepers.”

Rio Ferdinand has of course been ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury so the other centre-back position alongside Terry has not been confirmed, although Ledley King was given the nod by Capello to start in Monday’s friendly.

It was the first time the pair had started in an international game, although they played together as youngsters for Sunday league side Senrab, and the Chelsea captain believes the partnership can work at the highest level.

“It was important we got 45 minutes together in a real competitive game with Ledley,” Terry said.

“We had a good understanding. We used to play together at Senrab many years ago. The understanding has always been there and we’ve worked a few times in training.”

England also face Algeria and Slovenia in Group C and a nine-point accumulation in the group stages in the England specials markets is favourite at 7/4, with a seven-point total next best at 15/8.

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Ferdinand shocker for England

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England skipper Rio Ferdinand has been sensationally ruled out of the World Cup (England 7/1 to win the competition) after he suffered a serious knee injury in the Three Lions’ first training session out in South Africa.

Ferdinand was sent for a scan on the injury and, after limping away from the hospital on crutches, it appeared the Manchester United defender had picked up a serious problem.

It was then subsequently confirmed that he would miss England’s campaign – which gets underway against USA a week on Saturday – in what is a major blow to coach Fabio Capello’s plans (England to win 2-1 – 7/1).

Ferdinand was expected to partner John Terry at the heart of the England defence but now the Italian will have to find his replacement with Ledley King, Jamie Carragher and the now called-up Michael Dawson in contention for a starting berth.

The injury will come as a shock to the England camp just a day into their preparations for the tournament but gives Dawson, who narrowly missed out on Capello’s final 23-man squad, the chance to earn his first cap later this month.

Ferdinand has struggled with several injury problems of late and a combination of back and calf problems meant he missed large chunks of the season with Manchester United in the season that has just finished.

He was set to figure in his fourth World Cup but now faces up to the prospect of cheering his team-mates on from the sidelines with Liverpool star Steven Gerrard ready to be promoted to skipper for the campaign.

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Barry back in England ranks

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Gareth Barry returned to training on Friday and now has just over a week to improve his match fitness before England start their Group C campaign against USA on June 12 (4/9 England 3/1 draw 6/1 USA – match betting).

The Manchester City midfielder was in danger of missing the showpiece tournament in South Africa when he damaged his ankle ligaments in the defeat to Tottenham at Eastlands on May 5.

Fabio Capello had always considered the 29-year-old would be able to resume full training the day after the Rustenburg opener, but the sight of Barry in full flow on Friday has heightened speculation he could make his competitive return against the Americans.

The Italian has bent his own rules to accommodate Barry in his 23-man cut and his inclusion protecting the back four would allow Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to push further forward.

The former Aston Villa favourite was wrapped in cotton wool in a light work-out with the rest of the first-team squad at the Royal Bafokeng north of Johannesburg but will be given every chance to improve his match sharpness.

Tottenham defender Ledley King, whose fragile knees are well documented, was also included in the training session.

However, veteran goalkeeper David James was not involved in the outdoor session and worked alone in the gym.

Capello is aware England will have to hit their straps if they are to make a statement in South Africa and accepts USA pose an immediate obstacle (1/20 England – To Qualify From Group C).

Bob Bradley’s men caused an international upset last year when they stunned reigning European champions Spain 2-0 in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa – a result which brought about Spain’s first defeat since November 2006 and snapped a world-record 15-game winning streak and 35 without loss.

Capello said: “The United States are always strong at the World Cup and the first game is always the tough game for all of the teams.”

The Three Lions will then play Algeria in Cape Town on June 18 and Slovenia in Port Elizabeth on June 23. The World Cup betting suggests England should progress with ease, but the manager is taking nothing for granted.

Capello has argued the two nations are more dangerous because they can enjoy a pressure-off situation and feels all of England’s Group C opponents should be treated with caution.

He added: “Algeria are more dangerous than most people think. I saw the statistics relating to qualifying and they were the fifth highest scorers in qualifying.

“I also remember when we played Slovenia at Wembley that they were very good technically.”

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Xavi admits England fear

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Spain midfielder Xavi has admitted he sees England as strong contenders to emerge victorious at the World Cup in South Africa (England 6/1 to win the World Cup).

The Barcelona star was instrumental in Spain’s Euro 2008 success, a tournament England were absent from, but he feels the Three Lions could enjoy a very successful World Cup.

Spain remain the favourites ahead of the tournament, despite a less than convincing 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia yesterday, but Xavi feels England are just as strong as his own nation.

“People say that the strongest nation is Spain – but after us I really think it is England,” explained Xavi. “Perhaps their goalkeepers aren’t world class but apart from that you struggle to see a weakness.

“The World Cup isn’t won on paper but after us I think England have the second-best team. It’s not a surprise really when you consider so much of the England set-up is made of players from Manchester United and Chelsea.”

England boss Fabio Capello is yet to whittle down his 30 man squad to 23, but the Italian claims he knows 20 players who will be going and has just three places left to fill.  However, the likes of Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard will almost certainly be involved in South Africa and Xavi believes England’s strong contingent from Manchester United and Chelsea will help them progress in South Africa.

In the betting markets Spain remain favourites, with Brazil second and England third.  However, Xavi believes Argentina will be a threat in South Africa due to the talents Lionel Messi, Xavi’s Barca team-mate, possesses.

The 30-year-old believes Messi is the best player in the world but he also feels there is a “group of players” who are not far behind the Argentine superstar and he classes Rooney in that bracket (Wayne Rooney 14/1 to win the Golden Ball (player of the tournament)).

Many pundits feel the United striker could be instrumental England’s World Cup campaign after his impressive exploits for the Old Trafford side last season.  The former Everton man has always been a goal-threat but last season, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid, Rooney shouldered the burden of scoring the majority of United’s goals and the 24-year-old demonstrated he could also be an excellent positional player and find the net with his head as well as from range.

Xavi believes England have a strong spine, he highlights defender John Terry and midfielder Frank Lampard as the other players who he feels can lead England to glory.  Spain and England cannot meet until at least the semi-final stage, with England drawn in Group C and Spain Group H, with Xavi wary of the threat Capello’s side could pose.

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Capello committed to England

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Fabio Capello has reiterated his commitment to England (13/5 Top European Team in the World Cup) and has said he has no intention of leaving his post to takeover at Inter Milan.

The Italian is being heavily linked with a return to his homeland to manage the Nerazzuri after Jose Mourinho’s decision to leave after guiding them to an unprecedented treble this season.

The ‘Special One’ is now on the verge of taking over at Real Madrid meaning the hotseat at the Giuseppe Mezza is up for grabs.

Capello is just one name being linked with the post, having enjoyed a great deal of success during his time as a manager in Italy.

The 63-year-old has won the Serie A title with every team he has been a manager at, including three successive titles while with Inter’s arch rivals, AC Milan.

Despite his strong connection with AC, having been a player as well as a coach with the Rossoneri, he is still believed to be on the current European Champions’ wish-list.

However, Capello has dismissed the notion that he will be leaving his post as England (20/1 to play Italy in the final) coach, stating he is happy in his current job.

“I have a contract with the Football Association and the only way it will finish is if they decide to sack me,” said Capello.

“I see my name linked with a lot of jobs in Italy and in Spain, but I’m happy here with the FA.”

Capello has faced a number of questions about his commitment to England this week having been previously quizzed on how he would feel should the Three Lions meet Italy in the final of the World Cup.

On that occasion the former Real Madrid boss said he would be happy to see England beat Italy as he aims to continue his impressive record of winning trophies as a manager.

Capello has said he is currently focused on England as they continue their preparations for the World Cup, with the Italian just three days away from announcing who will make up his final 23-man squad.

The Three Lions face Japan (8/1 to beat England) on Sunday afternoon with Capello revealing who has made the cut in the evening.

England will then head to South Africa ahead of their first game against USA before subsequent matches against Slovenia and Algeria.

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Tel talks up England chance

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Former England manager Terry Venables has told the current squad they need to go to South Africa believing they can win the World Cup (13/5 England – Top European Team – World Cup 2010).

Venables guided England to the semi-finals of Euro ‘96 and knows all about what it takes to succeed as a club and international manager.

And he has warned the England squad their mental approach will be one of the decisive factors in how they perform in the World Cup.

He said: “They have got to be actually thinking about winning it. People keep asking me how do I think they will do, will they reach the quarter-finals or the semi-finals?

“But they have got to be thinking about the final and then winning it. If you don’t really expect to win it, you won’t win it.

“You have got to think you are going to win as a group of players and a management team.

“I think there’s a very good chance, although you can’t see much past Spain and Brazil.

“Brazil know how to win these competitions and while it was the European Championships Spain won two years ago, a lot of the time, the European Championships are tougher than the World Cup because there are so many strong teams in Europe.”

There is much emphasis placed on the fitness of Wayne Rooney (6/4 Top England Goalscorer – World Cup 2010), who suffered a calf strain in the final Premier League game of the season against Stoke City.

But Venables says that Rooney should not be considered as England’s biggest hope.

He said: “I understand the focus on Wayne Rooney, but although he is the outstanding player, he is part of a team.

“We need all our best players, and the team the manager would like to put out, fit and in form.

“We have got Ashley Cole back, and it looks like Rio Ferdinand is going to be fit and strong.

“You need all your best players fit, and that goes for every country.”

Venables is fronting a charity competition to select England’s fantasy World Cup XI and raise funds for Everyman’s research into prostate and testicular cancer.

He said: “As you can imagine, it’s unbelievably difficult.

“When a team has won it, there’s a feeling that you can’t really go for other players outside that, but it’s about picking the strongest possible team.”

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Hart burning with England desire

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Joe Hart is hoping he can stake a claim for the number one jersey in South Africa with a good performance for England (4/9 in the match betting) in their warm-up match against Mexico (7/1 to win, 3/1 the draw) at Wembley on Monday night.

The 23-year-old enjoyed an outstanding season while on-loan at Birmingham City to earn a place in the preliminary 30-man squad.

The Manchester City ace is certain to be on the plane to South Africa as only two others, David James and Robert Green, have been included in the initial squad, with six players to miss out when Fabio Capello trims the squad for the June 1 deadline.

Hart is certain to feature in tonight’s friendly against Mexico and he admits he cannot wait to take the field to try and do enough to earn him the starting position when the serious business gets underway on June 12.

“It would mean everything to play at Wembley,” Hart told www.thefa.com.

“I don’t really think about it, plan for it or set any goals, because it is an absolute bonus just to be involved in the squads.

“But I will be doing everything in my power to catch the manager’s eye and hopefully get a few more caps to my name.”

Hart has certainly been catching the eye this season and has been lauded by some pundits as England’s best keeper at the moment, although whether Capello would go with someone as inexperienced – one cap against Trinidad & Tobago in June 2008 – remains to be seen.

James had been England’s number one but injury problems led him slipping down the pecking order, with Rob Green taking over as first-choice under Capello, although his club West Ham only just survived in the Premier League after a long relegation battle.

Despite the position seemingly being up for grabs, Hart insists that there is great camaraderie and unity between the three of them and he is learning all the time from being around them.

“The spirit between the keepers is definitely there,” he said.

“We train and work together far more closely than anyone else in the squad.

“We are all different keepers and obviously Jamo and Greeny have got vast experience over me which I am looking to learn off.

“They are two big personalities and great people to be around.”

England are currently the third favourites at 11/2 in the tournament ouright betting, behind favourites Spain at 7/2 and Brazil at 4/1, and Hart has revealed that Capello certainly has the players prepared for what is to come.

“Fabio is a very intense character and that really brushes off on the lads,” said Hart.

“When we are at the stadiums or the training ground it is work time.

“Everything revolves around winning and building a good strong side.”

England are 1/3 favourites to win Group A and open their campaign against USA on June 12, before taking on Algeria six days later and Slovenia on the 23rd.

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Evra targets England final

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Patrice EvraManchester United defender Patrice Evra wants to banish the memory of losing out on the Premiership title by beating England in the final of the World Cup, with France 16/1 to take the title this summer.

The 28-year-old was part of the United side who did their bit by beating Stoke 4-0 on the final day of the season, only to see Chelsea down Wigan by an incredible 8-0 scoreline.

But now the former Monaco star has turned his attention to the international scene as France look to win their second World Cup, following victory back in the 1998 tournament.

Evra has taken the loss of United’s Premiership crown badly and hopes that the upcoming showpiece in South Africa can go some way to deflecting thoughts of Chelsea claiming the trophy from his mind.

“The World Cup is the only thing that makes me keep smiling,” he told L’Equipe.

“I will be with the team of France on May 15 and I will have had six days off.

“But I will give the best of myself, as I have done for Manchester United.”

France are not many pundits’ choice as potential winners this summer, with Spain the red-hot favourites at 4-1.

Brazil trade at 5/1 with England at 6/1 and Evra would love to overturn those odds and beat the country in which he plies his trade at the business end of affairs.

“I hope to win the World Cup,” he added. “I hope we play England in the final and beat them, certainly.”

France face a tricky task to qualify from Group A in South Africa and are priced at 1/3 to make it to the knockout phase of the world’s greatest football tournament.

But they will have to work hard to get past Mexico (4/5), Uruguay (evens) and the hosts, who are on offer at 21/10 to make an unlikely appearance in the last 16.

France’s glory years appear to be behind them at present but momentum is an important factor in major tournaments and, if they get on a run, Raymond Domenech’s men may yet cause a few shocks over the next couple of months, with the likes of Thierry Henry and Frank Ribery in their ranks.

The initial 30-man squad contains a number of English-based players, with Chelsea stars Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda sure to remind Evra where the Premiership trophy will be displayed over the next 12 months.

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England boss targets final

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England manager Fabio Capello has stated that he will consider the World Cup a failure if his side not make it to the final in South Africa (England 6/1 to win the World Cup outright).

Capello has already picked his 30-man squad which will be whittled down to 23 on June 1 after friendlies against Mexico and Japan and a training camp in Austria (England 1/3 to win Group C).

The England boss has stated that it will be hard to choose which unfortunate seven will not go to the World Cup, but he will be telling them personally when he has made his decision.

Capello’s final squad are aiming to go all the way in this year’s tournament and the manager has said that the English media has affected how he coaches the side.

He said: “Every day the media here comes up with something new and the media has a lot of clout, they really influence public opinion.

“But you have to recognise that, at the same time, they have the pulse of English society. It’s part of the job and that’s why I’m here. If we don’t at least reach the final, we will have failed,” he added.

Capello has also revealed his opinions on the state of the England squad before he took over from former manager Steve McClaren.

He said: “When I arrived, I saw players who were switched off, scared, without a sense of belonging. I was surprised.

“So I tightened the screws, I demanded professionalism and this cemented our team,” he added.

Capello wants his side to focus fully on their task at the World Cup and not let distractions of potential summer transfers take precedence.

Speculation on the future of some of the England players have been in the media recently with Steven Gerrard’s position at Liverpool in question after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League.

The England manager said: “I hope the players do not change their team or have negotiations,” he remarked. “It disturbs the players all the time.”

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