England Squad

Sven took some gambles on the provisional England squad. Among them, Aaron Lennon and Arsenal Theo Walcott.

Walcott has never played on Arsenal's first team and has never earned a cap. At seventeen he is one for the future, but a lot of England supporters are shocked at his inclusion in the squad. I like the gamble. I am not sure it will pay off, but with the injuries up front to Rooney and Owen, he could make an impact on things. Here is the full squad:

Provisional squad:
Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich); G Neville (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Cole (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Bridge (Chelsea), Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Tottenham), Downing (Middlesbrough), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal).

Standby:
Carson (Liverpool), Young (Charlton), Reo-Coker (West Ham), Defoe (Tottenham), Johnson (Crystal Palace).

 

How Theo Walcott got on the squad is beyond me. The boy is 17 and didn't even make a premiership start this season. He has not been in a competitive match (outside of reserves) since JANUARY.

Lennon I'm willing to accept but Theo?!?!

 

SGE is the most political manager I've seen. He went through the big clubs and Walcott is all that turned up. I would have thought Darren Bent had a shot, but he plays for Charlton. Swedish snob.

 

I'm not a fan of including Walcott given England's current situation. With Rooney and Owen still trying to get fit in time to play I would have taken Darren Bent, Defoe, or A.Johnson.

Now if Rooney and Owen were in top form I like the Walcott pick. But, right now at least, it's possible England may have to depend on Walcott for goals, which is a bit risky...especially when SGE admits he's never watched him play.

 

Given the fact that two of the four strikers on the England squad are currently question marks as to whether they will play or not, this is definitely a big risk. It could backfire in Sven's face in Germany, but it could work out.

I would guess if one or both Rooney and Owen are out of the World Cup that England will go with a 4-5-1 formation as they have an abundance of midfielders in the likes of Carrick, Lampard, Gerrard, Joe Cole, Backham, Lennon, Hargreaves and Downing. That being said, I would think Sven would put Crouch up front on his own and see how things work out.

The three friendlies for England leading up to the tournament will be very interesting. Sven will surely play Walcott and see how her performs. What I am curious about is whether Sven will play Walcott in Germany. I mean if Rooney can't play, wither Defoe or Andy Johnson will be called upon to fill in. Would Sven put in an experienced Defoe or the young Walcott in an actual World Cup game?

I guess time will tell.

 

WOW is all I can think. I laughed when I saw the headline about Wenger urging SGE to take a risk and pick Wolcott.

Why sould SGE take a risk on him when Wenger sees him every day and was unwilling to take a risk and put him in a game.

I'm glad I'm not an England fan