Okay so we qualified with ease, got Gerrard and Lampard playing together and tonked Croatia Home and Away. We turned the corner, we made the game look easy and we got pride back in our Three Lions. Yet we have been there before - Sven was a master of Qualification and yet always came up short in the big moments (v Brazil (02), v France & Portugal (04), v Portugal and Walcott (06)). Now is the time for Capello to earn his crust - even before we get to South Africa. The squad selections are the first indication of Capello's direction and confidence in his players and his team.
There are a number of dead-certs in the squad but putting down 30 names is a tough exercise - and if Capello is true to his word then players that are not in form will not be considered.
thebeautifulgame's 30
Keeper
David James - Rob Green - Joe Hart
Defence
Rio Ferdinand - John Terry - Glen Johnson - Ashley Cole - Ledley King - Matthew Upson - Michael Dawson - Gary Neville - Leighton Baines - Jamie Carragher
Midfield
Frank Lampard - Steven Gerrard - Theo Walcott - Aaron Lennon - Adam Johnson - Gareth Barry - James Milner - Scott Parker - Michael Carrick - Ashley Young - Joe Cole
Strikers
Wayne Rooney - Peter Crouch - Emile Heskey - Jermain Defoe - Bobby Zamora - Darren Bent
There are a few names in there that will cause an eyebrow or two to be raised - most notably Gary Neville, Joe Cole and my man Bobby Z. Right back is a surprisingly tough position to fill, and provide cover and with Wes Brown hopefully being over-looked for Jamie Carragher as 'utility man' I think Fabio will want to look at Gary Neville. Bags of experience and has been up there as the best right back in the Premier League for the 2nd half of the season - will probably not make the cut but potentially Neville is a stronger option than Carragher for Capello as he does pose a threat with his deep delivery, and Capello's puts so much on his full-backs to give the side the width and movement in midfield.
On Joe Cole - although he has not played much for Chelsea he is a top, top player who has performed for England at a World Cup. A few weeks of intense confidence building and team unity could mould Cole back into a key figure for England and with Barry's injury problem it could be that what England really need is a player to rove in from the left if Lampard and Gerrard pair up again in the middle (probably more likely than Carrick or Parker starting). I would love to have Joe Cole around the squad, even if just for the option of needing a goal in the latter stages when a player with his vision can make the difference.
For Zamora - I have been a passionate supporter all season - and hope that he plays in the final for Fulham and is fit enough for a call up. He has had an outstanding season and is a real handful - he also has that unknown quality, similar to Adam Johnson that I feel should be part of any World Cup squad, it gives an extra dimension to the squad and both have had great seasons. He deserves a chance in the warm-up matches and if he takes it, and is fit, then he should go as the fifth stiker. Darren Bent will be in the 30 but he has had chances for England before and not taken them so if Bobby Zamora gets the nod ahead of him then I will not shed a tear.
Come on Fabio - do me proud and match my 30, then we shall see about a final 23
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