Fabio Capello Names Provisional England Squad

Fabio Capello named his first provisional squad of 30 players as England manager.

Before the list is cut down to 23 this weekend, I'll give you the low-down on the Italian choices for the friendly match against Switzerland at Wembley Stadium on Feb. 6...

Goalkeepers

David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Liverpool on loan at Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan)

Paul Robinson is dropped from the squad completely, which isn't really a surprise given the fact that he is not even number one for his club at present.

Robert Green may have reason to feel disappointed at being left out, but Chris Kirkland has made a return to fitness and form for Wigan, while Scott Carson has responded positively to his Croatia howler.

David James remains arguably the best of the lot, so has to be in the squad in my opinion. I would start with JAMES and introduce KIRKLAND in the second half.

Defenders

Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Curtis Davies (West Brom on loan at Aston Villa), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicky Shorey (Reading), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)

Curtis Davies is a surprise inclusion here. Capello has been to a few Villa games recently and obviously has seen enough of Davies to give him a chance, but it seems a strange choice considering he has only been a recent regular in the Villa starting lineup.

Elsewhere it is the usual suspects, with Glen Johnson and Matthew Upson earning recalls for their impressive club form this season. John Terry remains sidelined by injury. BRIDGE has been in good form for Chelsea, so he should get the left back nod, alongside FERDINAND, KING, and RICHARDS.

Midfielders

Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers)

There is only one big name missing here—the biggest of all in fact—David Beckham.

This is a sensible decision by Capello in my opinion.

If he included Beckham it would send the wrong message about what this game is about. It is not just a meaningless friendly where a cap can be handed to a player who hasn't played for two months.

It is the first game in a new chapter for the England team, against a team who will be taking it very seriously as they prepare for Euro 2008. Capello has made it clear to Beckham that he is still in his plans for the future, so there is no need for any undue drama from Beckham fans.

Steven Gerrard is said to be battling with Rio Ferdinand in the race to be England Captain for this match, and perhaps in the future as well, as Capello assesses his options.

Gerrard would be my choice. Making him captain might the best way to get him to replicate his Liverpool form on the international stage. My midfield would feature YOUNG on the left side, BENTLEY on the right, and GERRARD and BARRY in the centre.

Forwards

Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool)

Michael Owen retains his place despite relatively poor form for his struggling club. Emile Heskey returns after injury. Agbonlahor gets a deserved place in the squad on the back of his strong form for Aston Villa, who are well represented in the squad with five players. Dean Ashton is perhaps unlucky to not be included, although he still seems to have fitness problems.

I would like to see ROONEY and AGBONLAHOR start the match, as this would give England a good blend of pace and poise in attack, and would demand that the ball is kept on the floor.

With my lineup, Barry could sit in midfield allowing Gerrard to burst forward. Ashley Young would hug the left touchline, while David Bentley—in superb form for Blackburn Rovers this season—could roam a little from the right, giving England and extra body in central midfield in order to keep possession more easily. This would allow Micah Richards the freedom to get forward and overlap with his speed and strength.

I think Rooney, Bentley, and Gerrard could make nice triangles of interplay between them, with Agbonlahor at the head of the attack forcing the Swiss backline toward their own goal with his lightning pace.

England have plenty of pace and power throughout their squad that they should use to make up for a lack of technically gifted ball players.

Overall I think Capello has it just about right. We will have to wait until after the weekend to see who is cut from the original 30 and who pulls out of the squad through dubious injury, only to miraculously appear for their club side in the following match.