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England Debate: Who will be Fabio Capello's Theo Walcott for 2010 World Cup?
Which of these uncapped stars could go to South Africa?
11 May 2010 09:00:00
Amar Singh | England Correspondent
It was four years ago when the then England manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, stunned the world by naming a talented but raw 17-year-old Theo Walcott in his 23-man World Cup squad.
Walcott had joined Arsenal earlier that season but had not even made his debut for the Gunners when the Swede took a gamble on the youngster. It was one that did not pay off and Walcott didn't kick a ball in Germany as England crashed out in the quarter-finals.
Few would expect the assiduous Fabio Capello to throw an uncapped youngster into the fray a month before the World Cup without good reason.
But with injury problems and concerns over the form and fitness of several stars, the Italian could be forced into calling up one of several uncapped stars.
Goal.com UK looks at the pick of the rookies who are being talked up for a shock World Cup place...
Adam Johnson
22, Manchester City
Strengths
Capable of playing on either wing, is one of the few English wingers around who can provide genuine pace and trickery. Has dazzled for Manchester City in recent weeks, culminating with a man-of-the-match performance against West Ham on Sunday.
Weaknesses
Untried and untested over a season against top class opposition, having played just a dozen Premier League matches - he joined City from Middlesborough in January.
Rivals
Shaun Wright Phillips, Joe Cole, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young, Aaron Lennon, Stewart Downing.
What are his chances of going to South Africa?
He should get a chance. Fabio Capello has gone on the record to say Johnson has caught his eye, but needs some experience. The friendly against Mexico at the end of the month could present that chance.
Titanbet odds to be named in the final 23
5/4
Michael Dawson
26, Tottenham Hotspur
Strengths
Has been a mainstay at the heart of a Tottenham side that has impressed everyone by qualifying for the Champions League. Dawson is the kind of unfussy, no-nonsense centre-half that England fans love and has shown growing maturity this season. Captained his club on several ocassions this term.
Weaknesses
Can struggle against genuine pace and is not known for his reading of the game or distribution.
Rivals
Ledley King, Matthew Upson, Sol Campbell, Ryan Shawcross, Jamie Carragher.
What are his chances of going to South Africa?
With talk of Jamie Carragher returning from his self-imposed international exile and indications that Dawson's cooler, more composed team-mate Ledley King could get a call up, his chances appear to be slim.
Titanbet odds to be named in the final 23
6/4
Bobby Zamora
29, Fulham
Strengths
Has enjoyed his best ever season, Bobby Zamora has scored 19 goals which have put him in contention for a call up. Bobby has found the net against top sides on Fulham's remarkable Europa League run, including a stunning goal against Wolfsburg after a cheeky 'Cruyff turn' and the first in a historic comeback against Juventus.
Weaknesses
Was quite woeful during his tenures at West Ham and Tottenham and has never really come close to looking international quality until now. At 29 his resurgance may have come too late for Capello. Is also carrying an Achilles injury.
Rivals
Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Darren Bent.
What are his chances of going to South Africa?
There's every chance he will be named in the provisional squad of 30, but will really need to work to his socks off to prove to Capello that he deserves the nod ahead of Emile Heskey, who partnered Wayne Rooney up front in several qualifiers.
Titanbet odds to be named in the final 23
10/3
Andy Carroll
21, Newcastle United
Strengths
Has been scoring goals for fun at Newcastle this season, as they romped home in the Championship in some style. The lanky striker is a regular in the England Under-21 team, so both Capello and his right-hand man Franco Baldini have been able to monitor his progress with ease.
Weaknesses
Has been scoring goals for fun, yes, but in the Championship and against some pretty weak defences. Carroll is no stranger to off the pitch troubles, and an assault charge in adition to a scuffle with team-mate Steven Taylor won't have helped his cause.
Rivals
Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey, Darren Bent, Bobby Zamora, Carlton Cole.
What are his chances of going to South Africa?
This really would be a Theo Walcott moment for Capello. It's highly unlikely Carrol will get the call - but Capello knows all about him, and England's Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce has issued glowing appraisals. One for the future.
Titanbet odds to be named in the final 23
50/1
Jack Wilshere
18, Arsenal (loaned to Bolton Wanderers in January)
Strengths
Has impressed playing in Owen Coyle's hard working Bolton side, showing flashes of brilliance. Performances in pre-season for Arsenal led to Capello saying: "This is not normal, to be so young and so good."
Weaknesses
Arsene Wenger sent his young prodigy to Bolton to get some much-needed experience, and the logical next step is to fight for a place in the Gunners' team - not be thrown in at the deep end of a World Cup. Is an attacking midfielder just like Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard - so would have his work cut out getting chosen ahead of them.
Rivals
Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, James Milner
What are his chances of going to South Africa?
Slim to none. Wilshere is indeed a real prospect and his spell at Bolton will have done him a world of good. Capello has no shortage of quality attacking midfielders to chose from so has no need to gamble on a youngster in that position.
Titanbet odds to be named in the final 23
50/1
No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to its most beautiful and sunniest city. Durban offers much more than sandy beaches, safaris, casinos and the World Cup, for information on what to do and see, please click here.
Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
It was four years ago when the then England manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson, stunned the world by naming a talented but raw 17-year-old Theo Walcott in his 23-man World Cup squad.
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Walcott had joined Arsenal earlier that season but had not even made his debut for the Gunners when the Swede took a gamble on the youngster. It was one that did not pay off and Walcott didn't kick a ball in Germany as England crashed out in the quarter-finals.
Few would expect the assiduous Fabio Capello to throw an uncapped youngster into the fray a month before the World Cup without good reason.
But with injury problems and concerns over the form and fitness of several stars, the Italian could be forced into calling up one of several uncapped stars.
Goal.com UK looks at the pick of the rookies who are being talked up for a shock World Cup place...
Adam Johnson
22, Manchester City
Strengths
Capable of playing on either wing, is one of the few English wingers around who can provide genuine pace and trickery. Has dazzled for Manchester City in recent weeks, culminating with a man-of-the-match performance against West Ham on Sunday.
Weaknesses
Untried and untested over a season against top class opposition, having played just a dozen Premier League matches - he joined City from Middlesborough in January.
Rivals
Shaun Wright Phillips, Joe Cole, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young, Aaron Lennon, Stewart Downing.
What are his chances of going to South Africa?
He should get a chance. Fabio Capello has gone on the record to say Johnson has caught his eye, but needs some experience. The friendly against Mexico at the end of the month could present that chance.
Titanbet odds to be named in the final 23
5/4
Michael Dawson
26, Tottenham Hotspur
Strengths
Has been a mainstay at the heart of a Tottenham side that has impressed everyone by qualifying for the Champions League. Dawson is the kind of unfussy, no-nonsense centre-half that England fans love and has shown growing maturity this season. Captained his club on several ocassions this term.
Weaknesses
Can struggle against genuine pace and is not known for his reading of the game or distribution.
Rivals
Ledley King, Matthew Upson, Sol Campbell, Ryan Shawcross, Jamie Carragher.
What are his chances of going to South Africa?
With talk of Jamie Carragher returning from his self-imposed international exile and indications that Dawson's cooler, more composed team-mate Ledley King could get a call up, his chances appear to be slim.
Titanbet odds to be named in the final 23
6/4
Bobby Zamora
29, Fulham
Strengths
Has enjoyed his best ever season, Bobby Zamora has scored 19 goals which have put him in contention for a call up. Bobby has found the net against top sides on Fulham's remarkable Europa League run, including a stunning goal against Wolfsburg after a cheeky 'Cruyff turn' and the first in a historic comeback against Juventus.
Weaknesses
Was quite woeful during his tenures at West Ham and Tottenham and has never really come close to looking international quality until now. At 29 his resurgance may have come too late for Capello. Is also carrying an Achilles injury.
Rivals
Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Darren Bent.
What are his chances of going to South Africa?
There's every chance he will be named in the provisional squad of 30, but will really need to work to his socks off to prove to Capello that he deserves the nod ahead of Emile Heskey, who partnered Wayne Rooney up front in several qualifiers.
Titanbet odds to be named in the final 23
10/3
Andy Carroll
21, Newcastle United
Strengths
Has been scoring goals for fun at Newcastle this season, as they romped home in the Championship in some style. The lanky striker is a regular in the England Under-21 team, so both Capello and his right-hand man Franco Baldini have been able to monitor his progress with ease.
Weaknesses
Has been scoring goals for fun, yes, but in the Championship and against some pretty weak defences. Carroll is no stranger to off the pitch troubles, and an assault charge in adition to a scuffle with team-mate Steven Taylor won't have helped his cause.
Rivals
Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey, Darren Bent, Bobby Zamora, Carlton Cole.
What are his chances of going to South Africa?
This really would be a Theo Walcott moment for Capello. It's highly unlikely Carrol will get the call - but Capello knows all about him, and England's Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce has issued glowing appraisals. One for the future.
Titanbet odds to be named in the final 23
50/1
Jack Wilshere
18, Arsenal (loaned to Bolton Wanderers in January)
Strengths
Has impressed playing in Owen Coyle's hard working Bolton side, showing flashes of brilliance. Performances in pre-season for Arsenal led to Capello saying: "This is not normal, to be so young and so good."
Weaknesses
Arsene Wenger sent his young prodigy to Bolton to get some much-needed experience, and the logical next step is to fight for a place in the Gunners' team - not be thrown in at the deep end of a World Cup. Is an attacking midfielder just like Frank Lampard or Steven Gerrard - so would have his work cut out getting chosen ahead of them.
Rivals
Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, James Milner
What are his chances of going to South Africa?
Slim to none. Wilshere is indeed a real prospect and his spell at Bolton will have done him a world of good. Capello has no shortage of quality attacking midfielders to chose from so has no need to gamble on a youngster in that position.
Titanbet odds to be named in the final 23
50/1
No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to its most beautiful and sunniest city. Durban offers much more than sandy beaches, safaris, casinos and the World Cup, for information on what to do and see, please click here.
Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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