In Ledley King’s 21 appearances for England, since his debut against Italy in a friendly on 27th March 2002 aged 21, they have conceded 13 goals. Therefore, when the Tottenham centre-back is featuring for the Three Lions, they concede on average 0.62 goals per game. Since his debut, England have played 127 games and in the 106 without King, England have conceded 80 goals. Comparably put, England have conceded 0.75 goals per game, when King isn’t participating. The country’s defence is 0.13 goals better off when the Spurs skipper is in the back four.
Despite the stats clearly showing both club and country being better off with Ledley King in the starting XI, the former may well show reluctance when it comes to calling the 31-year old up. In the 4 international competitions that England have qualified for since King made his debut, the centre-back has only featured in 2. He wasn’t part of Sven Goran-Eriksson’s 2002 World Cup squad, but was in his Euro 2004 squad. For the World Cup 2006, King was left at home, having fractured a bone in his foot and four years later, his World Cup in South Africa only lasted 45 minutes after pulling his groin in the first half against U.S.A.
A lot of the weight of the decision will fall on King’s fitness come next summer. He is unlikely to play in any games for England between now and the European tournament, with Harry Redknapp stating that as much as he’d, “love to see him play for England, he simply cannot play two games in a week.” He said that back in 2009 and with the story being no different two years later when it comes to fixture congestion and Ledley’s knee, it is likely to still stand. As it is, King only trains with his team the day before a match, spending the rest of the week training alone, in the pool or on a bike.
At current, he is enjoying a rare run of consistent games in the Premier League and the talk of a new contract is in the air, with his current one set to expire in the summer. A string of performances that reads unbeaten for almost 16 months, with 12 wins out of 13, should warrant himself another extension, meeting Redknapp’s expectation of 2009, “I hope we can get another four of five years out of him – and maybe for England.”
But does Ledley King deserve another reward in the summer of 2012 – a place in Capello’s 23-man squad?
Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit
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no thanks, id much rather have ledley on a beach somewhere for 2 months in the off season and have him back a raring to go for (hopefully) our assault on the champs league next year! there are plenty of CB’s out there who can play every game, none of them are as good as ledley but who cares, its not like England have a chance of winning it anyway!
I can understand that views JMSPUR! He is definitely good enough for England though, isn’t he?
He’s the best defender in the premiership and has been for a long time , of course he is good enough. His injuries have prevented him from alot, he would be the first name on that England sheet. I kinda agree with Jmspur but if Ledley was picked and was willing I’d respect that decision. It would definatly make England better
If you were Capello there’s no way King could be in contention for any tournament footbal. I’m a Yid and I rate King as highly as anyone, but even I wouldn’t take him in a 23 man squad to a tournament with games played every 4/5 days. It’s a non starter for all the obvious reasons. 1 game per 6/7 days without any training is his upper limit. It’s been proven time and time again and he still seems to break down with groin problems and the like now and again. With my Yid hat on there’s no way I’d want to see him go and knacker himself again. He will certainly secure another contract with us if he stays fit for the next couple of months and that being the case he’s too valuable to have in the treatment room all next season like he has been in the past. Long live the King and COYS!
King has gone to two major tournaments with England, and has played two games. In Euro 2004 he played once (keeping Henry in his pocket) and then left the squad due to the birth of his baby. Six years later he gets picked (risky) for the World Cup and couldn’t even finish one game due to injury.
Fantastic player but with injuries and lack of training time just doesn’t make sense to take him.
Does he deserve it? Yes
Should he go and potentially end his career earlier than it should go? No
It’s better for his club career that he doesn’t go at all.
Have to agree with the Spurs fans here. He totally deserves to go, his quality is there for all to see. If i was a Spurs fan would i want him to go?….the answers NO. I would want him rested and fit the next season. I support my club first and would not want one of my teams best players playing in a tournament where there was a high chance he would break down.