Newcastle United currently have the best defence in the Premier League.
Three of the regular four backline of Newcastle are eligible to play for England.
The fact that none of them were in the latest England squad met with disappointment on Tyneside.
Solid
Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor and Ryan Taylor alongside Argentinian international Fabricio Coloccini have been in superb form as the Magpies rose up the table to third in the English top flight. Despite their performances England boss Fabio Capello seems to be ignoring the trio.
Backing
Former-England under-21 captain Steven Taylor has received the backing of his club boss Alan Pardew recently.
The Toon boss told the media: “We’re talking about a player who was going to be England’s centre-half but who got injuries and lost his way a little bit in terms of continuity, which is what you need to get in the England team,”
“He has been fit for almost the whole year since I came to Newcastle, though, and has been absolutely outstanding. He could walk into the England team and play to the level Gary Cahill did against Sweden. If England come calling, he won’t let them down.
“He’s super-confident but not in a brash way. He has good belief and the key thing is he’s not embarrassed by pace. At international level that is the key element you need at the back, more so than height and aerial power.”
Form
As Alan Pardew said Steven Taylor was once regarded as one of the brightest young centre-backs England had. However a series of injuries has hindered his development. At 25 he is starting to fulfil his potential and looks to be in the form of his career so far.
He seems the most likely out of the trio to break into the squad but even he is an outsider to make the plane for next years European Championships.
Full-backs
Full-backs Danny Simpson and Ryan Taylor have also been in superb form this season. They are good solid players but its questionable whether either of them are good enough for international football.
However these players haven’t had a chance at international level. If they are to get a chance for England then they will have to keep their good form up for the rest of the season. Unfortunately they are at the end of a very long queue for the full-back positions in the England starting line-up.
In fact England boss Fabio Capello probably has four or more options available for the right-back position and two superb options at left-back. Simpson and Taylor will find it really hard to break into the England setup, no matter how well they play.
Time
Neither have been near an England squad yet and time is running out before the European Championships. The pair may get a chance in the England team in the future but its unlikely to be in the near future.
Danny Simpson is still relatively young at 24 and could still have a chance to get in future squads. Ryan Taylor is a little older at 27 but his versatility and his ability with set-pieces would make him more likely to be in future England squads.
Unlikely
Newcastle have been superb this season and a big part of that success is because of their defensive unit and they should be praised for that. However I think all the Toon fans asking for their defenders to be included in the England squad will be disappointed.
I don’t think any of Newcastle’s defenders are in Fabio Capello’s plans. There are just too many players in front them in the pecking order. It’s a shame though as the defenders are in top form and the trio have been key to their success this season.
Should any of Newcastle’s defenders be in the England squad for the European Championships?
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