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England Debate: Which Winger Is The Right Man To Fill David Beckham's Boots?
The five candidates fighting for two seats on the plane to South Africa
Mar 15, 2010 9:39:00 AM
By Alan Dawson
David Beckham's chances of making Fabio Capello's 23-man squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa have been quashed due to a tear in the AC Milan loan midfielder's Achilles tendon.
The Italian boss, along with assistant Franco Baldini, await results of a scan following the injury sustained by Beckham while on club duty with the Rossoneri, but the forecast looks gloomy for the pin-point crosser's hopes of making his fourth consecutive World Cup.
Considered a pillar of consistency and professionalism, Beckham's absence in the national camp opens the door of inclusion for a position already hotly contested.
Pacy Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, Tottenham Hotspur wideboy Aaron Lennon, diminutive Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, recent City recruit Adam Johnson and even Aston Villa left-sider Ashley Young have all played their way into consideration.
"Give him six weeks", was the message from the Frenchman, who never lost his faith in the 20-year-old attacking talent he initially bought from Southampton four years ago. Walcott had only recently returned from a long-term injury but has now, near enough to the day of Wenger's six-week allowance, begun to show commendable form.
Restricted largely to cameo appearances in the second-half, Walcott's pace continues to trouble opposition rear-guards. A strong performance against Sunderland, however, was undermined a few weeks later as Walcott underwhelmed on the international scene with a performance to forget against Egypt.
A groin injury sustained in December, however, threatens to ruin the player's hopes of making the World Cup squad. Redknapp even admitted his doubts over whether or not the winger will be fit. "I hope he’s going to be okay. He’s desperate to get fit. He could suddenly see a bit of light and come back, and if he does then he could be ready [for the World Cup]. Four or five weeks, we’ll have to wait and see."
Should Lennon recover sufficiently, there could be an international benefit to his mid-season injury. Like Walcott, he would be fresh.
The diminutive Wright-Phillips seems to be held in high regard by Capello, as the former AC Milan manager has called the player up to numerous squads in the past.
The 28-year-old began the current campaign in exemplary fashion. His form in the League Cup was a contributing factor in Manchester City's run to the semi-final stage.
The winger has experienced multiple qualification runs with England, and - in a converse nature to Walcott's recent showing against Egypt - his performance against the Pharoahs was sterling. After coming off the bench, Wright-Phillips showed maturity and midfield nous and was instrumental in England's sudden potency going forward.
Considered an outside bet because of his Championship status for half of the season, Adam Johnson's candidacy has gathered weight owing to the perceived ease and swiftness of his adaptation to Premier League football.
Roberto Mancini's faith in Johnson to (a) acquire the former Middlesbrough flanker mid-season and plunge him straight into the first-team pool; and (b) offer him Robinho's former No.11 shirt is seemingly being repaid in full.
Perhaps what could elevate Johnson's push for a World Cup spot further is his versatility. Utility players in international tournaments are considered a vital commodity. Despite James Milner's effectiveness in an attacking role, his ability to play full-back saw him included in bookmakers' odds of featuring at the back for England following the injury of Ashley Cole and the absence of Wayne Bridge, for instance. Johnson, a left-footed player, can play on the right side, as well as 'in the hole'.
The Aston Villa squad is brimming with British talent, and Young's link-up play with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey, together with his past familiarity with midfielder Gareth Barry, now at Manchester City, could all be influential.
Young is oft-deployed on the left-hand side of midfield, and so he will likely battle for a position along with Joe Cole, Steward Downing and even Steven Gerrard.
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The Italian boss, along with assistant Franco Baldini, await results of a scan following the injury sustained by Beckham while on club duty with the Rossoneri, but the forecast looks gloomy for the pin-point crosser's hopes of making his fourth consecutive World Cup.
Considered a pillar of consistency and professionalism, Beckham's absence in the national camp opens the door of inclusion for a position already hotly contested.
Pacy Arsenal forward Theo Walcott, Tottenham Hotspur wideboy Aaron Lennon, diminutive Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, recent City recruit Adam Johnson and even Aston Villa left-sider Ashley Young have all played their way into consideration.
Theo Walcott
- Appearances: 21
- Goals: 2
- Assists: 1
- England record: 9 caps/ 3 goals
"Give him six weeks", was the message from the Frenchman, who never lost his faith in the 20-year-old attacking talent he initially bought from Southampton four years ago. Walcott had only recently returned from a long-term injury but has now, near enough to the day of Wenger's six-week allowance, begun to show commendable form.
Restricted largely to cameo appearances in the second-half, Walcott's pace continues to trouble opposition rear-guards. A strong performance against Sunderland, however, was undermined a few weeks later as Walcott underwhelmed on the international scene with a performance to forget against Egypt.
Aaron Lennon
- Appearances: 20
- Goals: 3
- Assists: 11
- England record: 15 caps/ 0 goals
A groin injury sustained in December, however, threatens to ruin the player's hopes of making the World Cup squad. Redknapp even admitted his doubts over whether or not the winger will be fit. "I hope he’s going to be okay. He’s desperate to get fit. He could suddenly see a bit of light and come back, and if he does then he could be ready [for the World Cup]. Four or five weeks, we’ll have to wait and see."
Should Lennon recover sufficiently, there could be an international benefit to his mid-season injury. Like Walcott, he would be fresh.
Shaun Wright-Phillips
- Appearances: 23
- Goals: 6
- Assists: 9
- England record: 30 caps/ 6 goals
The 28-year-old began the current campaign in exemplary fashion. His form in the League Cup was a contributing factor in Manchester City's run to the semi-final stage.
The winger has experienced multiple qualification runs with England, and - in a converse nature to Walcott's recent showing against Egypt - his performance against the Pharoahs was sterling. After coming off the bench, Wright-Phillips showed maturity and midfield nous and was instrumental in England's sudden potency going forward.
Adam Johnson
- Appearances: 6 (+26)*
- Goals: 2 (+12)*
- Assists: 0 (+5)*
- England record: Uncapped
Considered an outside bet because of his Championship status for half of the season, Adam Johnson's candidacy has gathered weight owing to the perceived ease and swiftness of his adaptation to Premier League football.
Roberto Mancini's faith in Johnson to (a) acquire the former Middlesbrough flanker mid-season and plunge him straight into the first-team pool; and (b) offer him Robinho's former No.11 shirt is seemingly being repaid in full.
Perhaps what could elevate Johnson's push for a World Cup spot further is his versatility. Utility players in international tournaments are considered a vital commodity. Despite James Milner's effectiveness in an attacking role, his ability to play full-back saw him included in bookmakers' odds of featuring at the back for England following the injury of Ashley Cole and the absence of Wayne Bridge, for instance. Johnson, a left-footed player, can play on the right side, as well as 'in the hole'.
Ashley Young
- Appearances: 37
- Goals: 8
- Assists: 12
- England record: 7 caps/ 0 goals
The Aston Villa squad is brimming with British talent, and Young's link-up play with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey, together with his past familiarity with midfielder Gareth Barry, now at Manchester City, could all be influential.
Young is oft-deployed on the left-hand side of midfield, and so he will likely battle for a position along with Joe Cole, Steward Downing and even Steven Gerrard.
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