So, after a famous victory against the Germans, which was celebrated across the country, qualification as group winners was confirmed. Unfortunately for all Englishmen, it wass the Croatians who were joyous. Steve McLaren’s troubles mean that whilst we had to sit and watch the dirge produced by Austria and Switzerland – surely the worst hosts ever – from home, the Croatian side were preparing for a quarter-final. Whilst it is clear that they have ability and their determination is undoubted, their players, Luka Modric and Nico Kranjcar aside, aren’t anywhere near as talented as the majority of the England set-up. So, I thought, if only it was us who were set to finish the group as winners, with Fabio Capello’s side having a 100% record, which players would we be resting and who would be the squad players coming in. So here are the 23 players who should be in Austria right now and a few of the ones who would have been unlucky to miss out.
GOALKEEPERS
David James – Calamitous in the past, James has become much more stable at Portsmouth and would be the experienced head needed behind the defence.
Chris Kirkland – Injury-prone throughout his career, it is unfortunate for Kirkland that he is fully fit and has enjoyed a run in the Wigan side at the time when England have failed to qualify for a major tournament for the first time in 14 years.
Robert Green – No England manager seems to have realised his ability but Green has been just as consistent this season as any keeper in the Premiership.
DEFENDERS
Wes Brown – Brown has played as much as anybody at club level this season and it is a shame for him as this would have been his chance to shine on the international stage in the absence of club colleague Gary Neville and the talented Micah Richards through injuries.
Rio Ferdinand – Inspirational for his club, Capello would have chosen him to carry on where he finished in Moscow and lead the side.
John Terry – Despite the agony of his missed penalty, Terry would have been a certainty to partner Ferdinand and act as vice-captain.
Ashley Cole – The best English left-back in generations suffered a blip in form after his controversial move to Chelsea. However he is now back to near his best and would have slotted in on the left side as he has done in the last 3 tournaments.
Jonathan Woodgate – Like Kirkland, injuries have plagued his career and this has been his most consistent season. He would have benefited from the lack of other candidates.
Wayne Bridge – Able understudy at both club level and for the national side, Bridge would have been selected despite a lack of action in recent months.
Joleon Lescott – The Everton man would have performed the role Phil Neville played in Portugal and acted as cover for the whole back four. His versatility will no doubt work against him in the future.
Glen Johnson – Injuries would have worked in his favour and Johnson would have gone to Austria as cover for Wes Brown.
MIDFIELDERS
David Beckham – National hero 7 years ago after his heroics against Greece, Beckham would have been a disputed selection due to the level that he now plays his club football at. However, due to a lack of serious competition and the dwindling form of Wright-Phillips and Lennon, Beckham would have been at his sixth successive tournament.
David Bentley – The only serious contender to Beckham, his consistency has shone through this year and that would have set him apart from Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Joe Cole – The Chelsea wideman has made the left wing position his own in recent years and he would have gone into the tournament on the back of winning his fiftieth cap.
Gareth Barry – Versatility would have aided the Aston Villa man but he would probably only have made the bench due to the intense competition although he is a favourite of Capello’s.
Michael Carrick – Overlooked from the last squad due to a mix-up over an operation, Carrick’s excellent club-form would have made him a key member of the squad.
Owen Hargreaves – The Manchester United midfielder was once one of the most hated players in the set-up but his performances at the last World Cup and his move to England would have made his selection a no-brainer.
Frank Lampard – Having taken over Hargreaves’ place in the hearts of the boo-boys, the death of his mother put everything in perspective and led to him earning a hero’s welcome at Wembley last month. Probably would have acted as understudy to Gerrard.
Steven Gerrard – Although his form this season has been much worse than in past years, he was still nominated for the player of the year award and that tells you everything you need to know about his reputation.
FORWARDS
Michael Owen – Once a certain starter for every England match, his injury-torment has meant that he has become a totally different player and his standard has dropped rapidly. Can no longer rely on lightning pace and doesn’t seem to suit a deep-ling role. In spite of all the negatives, his finishing and experience still make him an asset.
Wayne Rooney – The 12th of June was a special day for the Manchester United striker as he married long-term girlfriend Colleen McLoughlin. It could have been much different as it could have been him and not Ivica Olic who tapped home a goal against the Germans. Probably would have been the first name on the list.
Jermain Defoe – His late-season surge in form would have taken him above Theo Walcott and Darren Bent in Capello’s estimations. He probably would have started ahead of Michael Owen too.
Peter Crouch – Despite a lack of match-action for Liverpool, he still offers a greater threat than the other ‘big-men’. Crouch would have sneaked in to the squad ahead of Dean Ashton.
THE UNLUCKY ONES
Although the squad generally picks itself there are a few who had valid claims. Scott Carson would have been the unlucky man between the sticks whilst Ben Foster would have understood his exclusion due to lack of action and Joe Hart due to inexperience.
At the back, Gary Neville and Micah Richards wouldn’t have been considered due to injuries and lack of match fitness.
Stewart Downing and Ashley Young would have been overlooked on the left and Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon on the right. In the central positions the strength of those selected would have meant that nobody else would have been in the frame.
A lack of quality in the forward positions would have made them the most difficult to select. With Wayne Rooney the only certainty, Dean Ashton, Darren Bent, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Theo Walcott would have felt hard-done by when told they were to be left out.
Perhaps the ease with which I picked this squad demonstrates the problem which the national side has. Although the core players in the squad are a match for any side in the world, the fringe players are of a much lower standard and the competition is few and far between.
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