Fabio Capello has hinted at pairing Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the central midfield for England at the World Cup.
They might be two of the national team’s best players but getting the best out of both of them at the same time proved beyond Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren.
It was only when Capello began to use Gerrard in a more attacking role wide on the left that a solution was finally found.
However, with Gareth Barry’s presence in South Africa dependent on recovery from an ankle injury he will have a scan on later today, Capello could not have failed to be impressed by the control Gerrard brought to a patchy England performance when he was switched back into the centre during half-time of a 3-1 win over Mexico.
Read the rest of this entry »
John Terry, Chelsea captain believes the support he received from English teammates and fans since losing the armband shows unity.
The 29-year-old, stripped of the armband following allegations involving Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend that led to his former Chelsea team-mate turning his back on England, was subjected to jeers from a pocket of fans at Wembley when his name was read out before kick-off.
The boos from a minority of supporters continued in the first half but were forgotten by half-time, with England then coming back from a goal behind at the interval to record a victory in the friendly against Africa’s champions.
Terry is hoping a line is now drawn under the saga and Fabio Capello’s men can put the finishing touches to their preparations for the World Cup this summer with the backing of the fans.
Read the rest of this entry »
David Beckham is England’s most capped out-field player, but is happy with the new role as substitute.
Beckham passed Bobby Moore’s previous record of 108 caps when he came on as a half-time substitute in Saturday’s 4-0 friendly win over Slovakia. On his 109th appearance in an England shirt, Beckham proved his continued worth to the side, setting up Wayne Rooney with a cross for England’s second goal.
Beckham’s impressive cameo will have given coach Fabio Capello food for thought as the Italian prepares to pick his team to face Ukraine in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier.
A win for England would cement their position on top of European qualifying group six and keep Capello’s team firmly on course to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
Capello started the Slovakia match with Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon on the right flank and his pace caused Slovakia problems at times. Beckham admits Lennon offers a different kind of threat and he is prepared to start on the bench if it helps England get a crucial victory.
“Aaron went past players like they weren’t there,” Beckham said. “With the pace he’s got, he’s in exceptional form for Tottenham, he deserved to start.
“Everyone wants to start for England, but at the end of the day, everyone also wants to play for England.
“Substitutes can be very important. We saw that at Manchester United in the 1999 Champions League final with Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Read the rest of this entry »
