Joe Hart, Gareth Barry and Shaun Wright-Phillips are all to represent City at the World Cup after the England squad was announced earlier today, with Adam Johnson missing out. Four years ago the only representative was a departing David James.
Shaun Wright-Phillips will be considered the surprise inclusion to Theo Walcott's surprise exclusion but, even without my City head on, I think this is the right decision. Walcott has pace to frighten defenders but his appearances for over a year now have been way below par and with Lennon in the squad there is no need for him. Lennon is a similar type of player to Walcott in relation to his pace but, as more of a finished article, if Lennon can be used for the pace factor then Walcott's place is redundant. It was a big call from Capello as Walcott's performance against Croatia capped what was arguably Fabio's best night in charge, but the feeling is that Walcott has been riding that favourite tag for too long.
To a lesser extent than Walcott, SWP has also struggled for form but, crucially, his form for Capello has been good. The comparison was there for all to see against Japan, where Shaun was left with little to beat after a woeful first half from Walcott. If Lennon can replace Walcott in the starting eleven, Shaun has produced a scattering of performances to suggest he can perform the impact sub role (vs Egypt; vs Villa; vs Japan). I am delighted for Shaun. This was his last chance - and with almost all the Sunday papers writing him off completely (The Sunday Times were left speculating the final four to go after ruling out Warnock [in], Wright-Phillips [in], and Dawson [out]), this is a real achievement for him - made all the more sweet knowing his near miss in 2006.
The flip side to the wingers Fabio Capello has included is that Adam Johnson misses out. Although I didn't think he had done too badly against Mexico, Capello was thought to be less than impressed - so despite excelling in training, his tilt at the squad was just a little too late. But at twenty-two (and this applies to Walcott as well), the best is yet to come for Johnson, and if he continues to impress at City, he can be sure of a place at Euro 2012 (if England qualify of course!).
From an England point of view, I think Johnson's presence would have offered a left-footed option that is now missing from the squad - but with Gerrard, Joe Cole and probably even Wright-Phillips (although I think he is wasted out there) as alternatives, Capello probably considered the position well covered. Despite Johnson's seamless transition to the top-flight, Capello probably had doubts about his ability to handle the big occasions and this has been reflected in his experienced selection.
Joe Hart's position was guaranteed as one of the three goalkeepers but whether he can make the leap to become England's number one will rely on the same principle: whether Capello has the confidence in his relative inexperience. But having played the most minutes during the friendlies, and looking very assured during his time on, he probably does have an outside chance. He is more likely to go as number three, but it is still excellent experience for a young goalkeeper, and he will continue to grow as a threat to Given's spot between the posts.
Gareth Barry looked doubtful until Capello began to outline his importance in the media - it seemed Barry could afford to be unavailable for the start of the tournament if he could return to play some part in the group stages. This morning Barry has even suggested he is pushing to be fit for the game against USA in Rustenburg on 12th June. England's shakiness against Mexico and Japan were blamed on his absence and he has begun to take a central role in England's hopes for glory this summer.
With three players representing City, we have the same number of representatives as Liverpool, United and Aston Villa - and the only teams to better that are Tottenham and Chelsea with four.
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