Andorra vs England WC Qualifying 2010: England Squad Unveiled
England manager Fabio Capello has announced 23-man England squad for their opening matches in world cup 2010 qualifying campaign. England will meet Andorra in neutral ground in Barcelona on 6 September, before facing Croatia away in Zagreb four days later. The major peak of the squad is Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard who has earned his first call-up into England national team.
It was Bullard’s excellent form of last season and opening matches of this season that prompted Capello to pick him up for England’s injury-hit midfield line up that left Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick out for the first two world cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia. With his hard-tackling ability coupled with sheer pace, the 29-year-old midfield could make a good impact in the middle of the field.
Though Michael Owen was expected to win a recall to the national team, Fabio Capello decided to keep him out until he shows enough evidence of his form and fitness. Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch failed to impress Capello to become one of the four strikers named for the away fixtures of world cup qualifying. However, his club team mater Jermain Defoe could successfully make it to Capello’s 23-member squad along with Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, Arsenal’s Theo Walcott and Emile Heskey from Wigan Athletic.
Everton defender Joleon Lescott and West Ham Unite goalkeeper Rob Green received recalls to the England national team. David Beckham retained his place in the midfield. Besides Beckham and Bullard, English midfield also includes Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry, Chelsea’s Joe Cole and Franl Lampard, Jermaine Jenas and Bentley from Tottenham, and Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing.
David James might be the no. 1 choice for England’s no.1 jersey, while Rio Ferdinand and John Terry will spearhead English defense. Chelsea’s Wayne Bridge and Ashley Cole, Wes Brown from Manchester United, Lescott from Everton, Johnson from Portsmouth as well as Upson from West Ham are included in the line up.
Here, I am giving England’s 23-member squad for their opening world cup 2010 qualifiers from Reuters:
Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Rob Green (West Ham United), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers)
Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), John Terry (Chelsea), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Matthew Upson (West Ham United)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jimmy Bullard (Fulham), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Joe Cole (Chelsea), David Bentley (Tottenham Hotspur), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), David Beckham (LA Galaxy)
Forwards: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic)
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