Fabio Capello Eyeing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; United Midfielder Anderson Sets 10-goal Target

In a shock move, Three Lions boss Fabio Capello is looking to call up Arsenal’s teenage winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to the England senior team.

Albeit this move is very surprising, one may have been able to see it coming. Capello has recently turned to youth to inject life into an England squad that lacked intensity and commitment at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley are amongst the new wave of youngsters that are being looked at rather closely by Capello. Daniel Sturridge of Chelsea FC is also being looked at ahead of the 2012 European Championships and rightfully so.

Now back to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The 18-year-old starlet has made three appearances for the Gunners in 2011-12, scoring two goals in the process. But his goal-scoring record does not tell the whole story.

Chamberlain has demonstrated tremendous skill and technical prowess in limited playing time. His trickery and cheeky play have Gunners supporters on the edge of their seats. So much so that Fabio Capello has taken notice of the 18-year-old.

Capello told FATV:

“I have been impressed with him. He is a really interesting player. He is a good player, who has a lot quality and is playing at a really high level.

“He will be a really interesting player for the next friendly games before the Euros, which hopefully will happen for us.”

Manchester United Midfielder Anderson Keen on Scoring Goals in 2011-12

Prior to the end of last season, Anderson — formerly of FC Porto — found goals hard to come by. In fact, it took the Brazilian 78 appearances to tally his first goal for the Red Devils. But Anderson found his goal-scoring form at the end of last season. He bagged a brace a versus Schalke 04 in the Champions League and has not looked back since.

One explanation for Anderson’s new found goal-scoring is that he is no longer being deployed as a holding-midfielder. Sir Alex Ferguson has given the 23-year-old the freedom to roam forward and the Brazilian has not let his manager down.

Following his second Premier League goal of the season against Norwich City, Anderson set a target of ten goals for his 2011-12 campaign.

“One particular aim is to score at least 10 goals,” said Anderson.

“I am going to try my very best to score more.

“You can say it is my best start because I have never played five or six games consecutively at the beginning of the season.

“It’s been great to stay in the side and help make a big contribution. I feel like this is my time now. I have trained well, looked after myself and the boss has given me a chance. It is important that I take it and show everyone why I am here.”