I thought this would be an interesting article to start the thread off. Obviously some speculation in the article but still it seems likely that Gabby, Wheater and Hart will be called up if fit. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/oct/17/worldcup2010qualifiers-englandfootballteam
Qualification is looking very good, so certainly seems wise to use the friendlies for squad experimentation with 2010 in mind. Going by the callups from the U-21 squad and that article fair bet that Young, Agbonlahor, Hart and Wheater will get callups. Richards surely would be another. I think he would likely try Carrick or Hargreaves in midfield as well, don't think they've really featured yet. ----------Agbonlahor Young-------Rooney---Walcott --------Gerrard--Hargreaves Bridge---Wheater-Ferdinand--Richards ---------------Hart Something like that I suspect.
Is this game in Berlin? I remember afew years back a game got cancelled because it was on Adolfs birthday.
We need to hurry up and cap Gabby and Young. Not only do they deserve it, but in Gabby's case, because I don't want him to ever be wearing anything besides an England kit. It would be horrifying to see him wearing Nigeria or Scotland colours. Sinner, it's in Berlin.
Probably a smart move by my new best friend....Fabio...Keeps the more "established" players on their toes and England finally has a situation where every player has to live up to the old adage.."you're only as good as your last game"
If Richards is in the squad it wont be at right back. Capello has proven this in previous squad selections. If Brown is replaced it will be Glen Johnson who takes his place. That is assuming both players are fit obviously. If Gabby is in the squad I think he will come off the bench to get a cap. The most likely starter who wasn't in the last squad is Hart imo. Depends if Hargreaves and Carrick are fit too as they could get a run out. Ashley Young could even start too. If Terry comes back from his injury he may play and Rio could possibly be rested and that could create a place for Richards, Wheater or even Curtis Davies who has been selected by Capello before. Or if Terry doesn't make it and Rio plays with a lesser experienced player next to him.
I don't think he can play for Scotland or Nigeria now since he has been capped at u21 level competitively and since he is over the age of 21 he can't change.
The fact that Beckham is willing to miss out on a vacation to play on loan (just to have the chance to be in the england squad) says everything we need to know about the legend. He would put his balls on the line for the team.
Well, the cynical type might suggest that it's worth a bit of extra effort during the MLS off-season to pull in the caps needed to make him England's most capped outfield player. It's highly unlikely that whatever ponytail in the Brand Beckham marketing team is in charge of "legacy and status" won't have that on his clipboard. Hardly a major commitment in any case. He did the same last year with Arsenal, it's just this time match-fitness is an issue, so it's a playing contract. But that's just cynical types. I personally think he just really really wants to play for England.
Beckham had to get a loan somewhere in Europe as Capello proved with the Swiss squad announcement that he wouldn't call him up if he wasn't playing games. It will be good to see an English player at a big foreign European club again aswell. I hope he does well there. Capello and Baldini seemed to have had a role in speaking to AC Milan to get him there too. Capello claiming Beckham is one of the best professionals he has worked with is high praise indeed.
Dunno about that. He's still a bit of a prat, but he's undeniably dedicated to his craft (on and off the pitch).
Can't deny that Becks has his priorities in order. Willing to humbly take the bench for the younger players. He is a nice asset in the squad. England legend.
Don't think either have done enough to be in the full squad at this stage. Taylor has promise but seems to believe his own hype most of the time. He's still prone to the odd mistake and has a tendency to lunge into tackles needlessly. He has potential but is still at least a year off a full England cap, barring any massive injury problems at CB. I certainly wouldn't put him in against Germany. Young, Agbonlahor and a recall for Richards would be more likely and deserving. I suppose we'll have to wait to see who is available before speculating too strongly.
There was a bloke near me who ran an Esso garage for years, he was South African and his name was Adolf, nice chap, I think he's dead now.