|
|
World Cup 2010 Debate: Who's next in line for England's defence - Jamie Carragher, Michael Dawson or Matthew Upson?
Capello faces the biggest decision of his England tenure...
15 Jun 2010 09:19:00
By Richard Parry
England manager Fabio Capello has plenty of question marks to deal with ahead of Friday’s match against Algeria, but one of the most pressing is who should replace Ledley King at the centre of defence for the remainder of the World Cup
The Spurs man will miss the next three weeks, and possibly the rest of the World Cup, with a groin tear.
This, of course, comes less than 10 days after the Italian lost his captain, Rio Ferdinand, who was ruled out for the entirety of the tournament after injuring his knee in training.
And with Robert Green feeling somewhat fragile - and with his selection in question - following his blunder against the United States, picking the right man to partner John Terry could very well be the biggest decision Capello has had to make as England head coach.
So who is the man to take the step up? Goal.com UK weighs up the options...
THE CANDIDATES
Jamie Carragher
Mr Experienced
Age: 32
League
appearances: 37
Yellow cards: 7
Red cards: 1
Caps: 37
Senior debut: 28/04/1999 (vs Hungary, Budapest)
Experience: Played four out of England's five matches at 2006 World Cup
The Liverpool man is the most likely to partner Terry in Cape Town on Friday, but his lack of pace was painfully highlighted against the United States.
Nonetheless, Carragher's experience, for both club and country, is as such that Capello may opt for the Liverpool man should he choose to keep his under-fire goalkeeper between the sticks.
Michael Dawson
The Rookie
Age: 26
League
appearances: 29
Yellow cards: 4
Red cards: 0
Caps: 0
Senior debut: N/A
Experience: A former England Under-21 captain, the Spurs man collected 13 caps, scoring one goal.
The quickest of the three, the Tottenham defender's call-up to the World Cup squad came off the back of his best season yet, but is this the right time to hand him his first senior cap?
Without doubt the least likely choice that the England head coach will opt for, but throughout his career, Dawson has proven to be a reliable and committed defender, and regularly shines alongside senior team-mates.
Matthew Upson
The Middle Ground
Age: 31
League
appearances: 33
Yellow cards: 3
Red cards: 0
Caps: 19
Senior Debut: 22/05/2003 (vs South Africa, Durban)
Experience: Started Capello's first game in charge, featured in six consecutive internationals in 2008-09.
Having featured heavily in England's qualifying campaign, the West Ham United stalwart is perhaps the safest bet - with more experience than Dawson, and quicker than Carragher. But having selected happy medium Green last time out, Capello might make a bolder decision this time around.
However, Green's involvement could increase the likelihood of the Italian opting for Upson, as his relationship and understanding with his Hammers team-mate could prove invaluable to England's cause.
|
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! |
The Spurs man will miss the next three weeks, and possibly the rest of the World Cup, with a groin tear.
This, of course, comes less than 10 days after the Italian lost his captain, Rio Ferdinand, who was ruled out for the entirety of the tournament after injuring his knee in training.
And with Robert Green feeling somewhat fragile - and with his selection in question - following his blunder against the United States, picking the right man to partner John Terry could very well be the biggest decision Capello has had to make as England head coach.
So who is the man to take the step up? Goal.com UK weighs up the options...
THE CANDIDATES
Jamie Carragher
Mr Experienced
League
appearances: 37
Yellow cards: 7
Red cards: 1
Caps: 37
Senior debut: 28/04/1999 (vs Hungary, Budapest)
Experience: Played four out of England's five matches at 2006 World Cup
The Liverpool man is the most likely to partner Terry in Cape Town on Friday, but his lack of pace was painfully highlighted against the United States.
Nonetheless, Carragher's experience, for both club and country, is as such that Capello may opt for the Liverpool man should he choose to keep his under-fire goalkeeper between the sticks.
Michael Dawson
The Rookie
Age: 26League
appearances: 29
Yellow cards: 4
Red cards: 0
Caps: 0
Senior debut: N/A
Experience: A former England Under-21 captain, the Spurs man collected 13 caps, scoring one goal.
The quickest of the three, the Tottenham defender's call-up to the World Cup squad came off the back of his best season yet, but is this the right time to hand him his first senior cap?
Without doubt the least likely choice that the England head coach will opt for, but throughout his career, Dawson has proven to be a reliable and committed defender, and regularly shines alongside senior team-mates.
Matthew Upson
The Middle Ground
Age: 31League
appearances: 33
Yellow cards: 3
Red cards: 0
Caps: 19
Senior Debut: 22/05/2003 (vs South Africa, Durban)
Experience: Started Capello's first game in charge, featured in six consecutive internationals in 2008-09.
Having featured heavily in England's qualifying campaign, the West Ham United stalwart is perhaps the safest bet - with more experience than Dawson, and quicker than Carragher. But having selected happy medium Green last time out, Capello might make a bolder decision this time around.
However, Green's involvement could increase the likelihood of the Italian opting for Upson, as his relationship and understanding with his Hammers team-mate could prove invaluable to England's cause.
YOUR SAY
Think you know which way Capello will go, or simply feel so strongly that there is only one man for the job?
Leave your comments below, and cast your vote, for your pick of the three Lions to partner Terry in England's depleted back-four...
Leave your comments below, and cast your vote, for your pick of the three Lions to partner Terry in England's depleted back-four...
Our 
provides the best breaking news online and our 
football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
provides the best breaking news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!| 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! |
|
Goal.com Poll
Poll runs from 15 Jun 2010 to 16 Jun 2010
Poll runs from 15 Jun 2010 to 16 Jun 2010
Who should partner John Terry in the absence of Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King?
Michael Dawson
39.2%
Jamie Carragher
35%
Matthew Upson
25.8%
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
