There’s a long and arduous ahead for many of England’s hopeful European Championship squad of contenders and one must not presume that the squad will pick itself much like the previous World Cup Squad. Players have emerged from the youth ranks and have been impressive, most recently in friendlies against Sweden and Spain where Danny Welbeck and Jack Rodwell caught the eye with accomplished performances.
But the debate rages on as to who will be going on that plane to the Ukraine and Poland and not for many a year has England had such a pool of resources to pick from. Over the next couple of articles I will look at the various contenders for each position and who will eventually make up the squad. Starting off with the Goalkeeping position, I shall go three the three Capello should take.
Not for a while has the position of goalkeeper been claimed for a consistent period of time prior to Joe Hart staking his claim. The lead up to the World Cup saw an array of Keepers trying to nail down the spot. Paul Robinson, Scot Carson and Robert Green all succumbed to slip ups in qualifiers and in Robert Green’s case a group game at the World Cup itself, inevitably leading them to being cast aside into the abyss. David James fell off the radar once he demoted himself to the Championship with Bristol Rovers.
Joe Hart has cemented his place through consistency and displacing another world class keeper in the guise of Shay Given who has since left current Premier League leaders Manchester City for Aston Villa. His ability in one versus one situation’s, his excellent reflexes and marvellous kicking distribution have seen him climb to the top of the tree at one of the most talented clubs in the country. Hart’s exploits have not gone unnoticed, catching the eye of Fabio Capello, who has since made him England’s number one.
There were murmurings within the England camp that Hart should have been England’s number one choice at the World Cup after his excellent season with Birmingham City, but one can easily say this with hindsight. Hart has impressed during the qualifiers however there are times when he tends to lose concentration.
For all his acrobatic prowess and athletic ability, mentally he has waned on occasions costing Man City important goals. The prime example being the first goal he conceded against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Whilst this certainly is a major problem at the moment, it definitely needs fine tuning in a competition cometh the summer where the eyes of the nation will be on him.
In addition to having one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League representing England at the Euro’s, it’s a case of slim pickings from Joe Hart onwards. Ben Foster would have been a great choice as back-up but he has decided to retire or go on a “mini-break” so to speak form international football for god knows what reason.
David James it appears has been made redundant despite his desire to represent England if ever called upon and Paul Robinson has not even been in the reckoning. Scott Carson has been deputy-in-chief in Joe Hart’s stead but throughout last year he was susceptible to a blunder a match. Hence his loan moves to Turkey, where he was replaced on loan by Ben Foster. David Stockdale, Fulham’s number two is the goalkeeper making up the numbers for the reserve spot of goalkeeper.
Joe Hart asides, should he get injured one certainly doesn’t brim with confidence in the alternative choices we have. Analysing Spain’s goalkeeping choices and the depth that they have, one can only look on with envy. They have three World Class goalkeepers in Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes. All representing top class clubs and all with attributes that make them stand out in their own right. Looking at Joe Hart, I simply could not place him within the top the of Spain’s best, that is how good they are.
This is one position that England at least seems assured about and that is the most pertinent factor in this regard. Perhaps I have overlooked some other English goalkeepers. Perhaps the country has, if there are, highlight the three you would take and who your number one would be representing England and why.
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