Does Capello really pick players on form?

When Fabio Capello was appointed England boss I heard lots about how he is a decisive boss who chooses his players on form rather than reputations. I now look at the current England squad and wonder if that’s really true.

Poor

England have some top quality players but currently a lot of them are in poor form. Previously influential players such John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Rio Ferdinand have had really poor seasons by their standards.

There are obviously differing circumstances to why they have lost their form such as injury and controversy. John Terry seems to be still living under the cloud of his much talked about scandal. Rio Ferdinand seems to have been out injured for a whole chunk of this season and has only made 12 Premier League appearances this season.

Steven Gerrard’s form seems to have suffered due to frustration at Liverpool’s awful form this season. There are even rumours that he may quit Liverpool this summer and move abroad. Whether those rumours have any substance remains to be seen.

The form of these three crucial players could have a major effect on England at the World Cup. If those players didn’t have such big reputations would they still be playing for England? I really do doubt they would.

Controversy

What has not helped England is the scandals involving the players in and around the England squad. Another England player has allegedly been involved in a scandal but due to legal reasons I cannot name him, although the news may come out in the next days.

Form

Fabio Capello does have a lot of players to choose from and there are players in top form that probably won’t start in the opening fixture against the USA in South Africa. The player who I believe should be in that starting line-up is Aston Villa James Milner.

The lad has everything pace, composure and versatility. He also has a tremendous attitude toward the game. If he was playing for Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool he would probably be in the first eleven for England. I believe he is a good alternative to Gerrard.

Tottenham have one of the best defences in the Premier League and their first choice centre-backs are English. There has been an enormous clamour for Ledley King to return to the England squad. The injury-prone defender has been outstanding this season when he’s played. He is a top quality player when fit but his fitness issues cause a big problem.

I have also been impressed by his central defensive partner Michael Dawson. He has had spells out of the team this season but has had regular run of form in recent months. Surely Dawson is worth a chance. I don’t know how Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross was selected ahead of him in the last England squad.

Strikers

England currently has a dearth of top quality strikers, Wayne Rooney aside. Yet three out of the top five goalscorers in the Premier League are English. Rooney currently leads that list but also on that list are Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe and Sunderland’s Darren Bent.

In fact Bent is just three goals behind Rooney in that scoring chart. This season has been the 26 year-olds best of his career. He has had limited chances for England but has not produced his performances in a Three Lions shirt.

However he needs to gain experience by playing for Capello’s side. Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey has been selected ahead of Bent but if somebody asked me to choose between the two I’d chose Bent every time. Bent is a goal scorer and Heskey isn’t.

Defoe like Bent is a natural finisher and will always pose a threat with his pace. He has had more exposure to the England team than Bent and scored goals. His record of 11 goals in 39 appearances is not bad considering a lot of those have came from the bench.

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora has also been in really good form this season and probably should have been selected to play in one of the earlier games. With England striking places available Zamora could have been an option but won’t be given his first call up this close to the World Cup.

History

The only time England have ever won the World Cup was of course in 1966 and the squad contained some surprise choices. The likes of Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters had only won a handful of caps ahead of the big event yet proved to be key players in winning the trophy.

Could Fabio Capello pull off some surprise squad choices repeat the feat of Alf Ramsey and win the World Cup?