Fabio Capello has made radical changes to his England squad after their terrible performance at the World Cup, axing 13 of the players he took to South Africa ahead of the Three Lions (2/7 to win Euro 2012 Qualifying Group F) friendly against Hungary on Wednesday.
The Italian has decided to leave a number of players who were involved in England’s disastrous campaign out, with David James, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Matthew Upson, Joe Cole, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ledley King, Jamie Carragher, Michael Dawson, Robert Green and Stephen Warnock all cut.
Despite their below-par performances, Capello has kept faith with the majority of his big names players with Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and John Terry all remaining part of the squad.
However, Capello’s curtailing of some of his flops has left the door open for some of England’s fringe and young players to stake a claim ahead of the Euro 2012 qualification campaign, which kicks-off in September.
The biggest shock has been the inclusion of Arsenal teenagers Jack Wilshire and Kieran Gibbs, both of who have so far failed to establish themselves in the Gunners’ first team.
Wilshere, 18, has only made 15 first-team appearances for Arsenal since coming onto the scene 2008, although he did gain some valuable experience having been on loan at Bolton for six months at the start of the year.
Likewise, Gibbs hasn’t featured for the Gunners first eleven on a regular basis having broken his foot in November, which ended his season prematurely.
Both players were delighted to be called up to the England (9/1 Outright Euro 2012 Winners) side, with Gibbs calling it a special moment after a difficult couple of months because of his injury lay-off.
Gibbs added: “I have to say this is a real boost for me as I spent over five months out through injury and this is a good opportunity to thank the surgeons and medical support I’ve received to get me back to full fitness.”
While both players are happy to be included one man who has turned his back on Capello and the England squad is Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson.
The former Leeds and Tottenham shot stopper has rejected the chance to return to the Three Lions fold and subsequently announced his retirement from international football.
However, that is the only black spot, thus far, on Capello’s call-ups with the likes of Ben Foster, Bobby Zamora, Theo Walcott, Adam Johnson, Wes Brown, Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill all likely to be happy to be called up.
Capello has apologised for England’s terrible performance at the World Cup but is hopeful that things will get better and that they will be contenders for Euro 2012.
“I still have confidence in my players, in my England team. I think we are really good, now we have to change something and choose some different players. New players and some young players and we will have to monitor these players,” said the Italian.
“I enjoy the job. I am really disappointed for the result [of the World Cup] but I am looking forward.”
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