England's World Cup Squad: Who's Hot, Who's Not?

Saturday’s defeat to Brazil was only the fourth in Fabio Capello’s 21 games in charge of the England team, but the Italian will have been far from impressed by the performances from a number of England players in a game in which they were flattered by the 1-0 scoreline to their opponents.

A host of injuries lead to Capello being able to call on only two of his first-choice XI for the match in Doha, but it did at least afford the Italian the opportunity to try out a number of fringe players hoping to force their way into the final few spots up for grabs in the 23-man selection next summer.

Whilst it was tempting to put the entire England side under the second label, below I examine which players made a strong case for inclusion in South Africa, and who should look to find alternative plans around June and July next year.

Who’s HOT

Matt Upson

Capello’s third-choice centre-back has filled in for Rio Ferdinand with increasing regularity and was one of the few players to emerge with any credit from Saturday’s defeat. Switched to the right-hand side of the central defensive pairing after Lescott was drafted in for John Terry and made one exceptional tackle on the edge of his own box when Kaka threatened to burst through the England backline.

Almost caught out in the first half by Nilmar when trying to shepherd the ball out of play on the right-hand touchline, but generally performed well. The West Ham man looks assured of his place in the squad next year, leaving one spot up for grabs in central defence after Ferdinand and Terry.

Ben Foster

Should have seen red when he brought down Nilmar to concede the penalty after being sold short by club teammate Wes Brown’s back-pass, but that aside was comfortable in his handling, and stood little chance with the goal. 

Needed a decent performance after his recent wobbles at club level, and with David James’ injury problems coming more to the fore it seems that only a severe lack of first team football at Old Trafford would deny him a place as at least a back-up ‘keeper next summer. A worry that Foster himself expressed in his post-match interviews when he spoke of not currently making the bench at United.

Needs to stop aiming his clearances towards the diminutive Wright-Phillips, however.

Anyone that missed this game through injury

David James, Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Beckham, Michael Carrick, Carlton Cole, and Emile Heskey all enhanced their reputations by not being involved in this sub-standard performance.

Carrick and Carlton Cole are probably sweating on their places in South Africa the most, but even their chances were boosted as those given the opportunity in their places failed to shine.

Who’s NOT

Shaun Wright-Phillips

The Manchester City winger put in a couple of decent crosses which lead to England’s best chances of the game, but by and large looked devoid of ideas when facing up to Michel Bastos at left-back. Bastos beat himself on most occasions, his own errors letting Wright-Phillips get past him a couple of times.

Capello seems to prefer raw pace on the right-hand side in the form of either Lennon or Walcott, both of whom outstrip Wright-Phillips in terms of out-and-out speed. Beckham still appears to be the back-up option due to offering a different approach and Wright-Phillips looks likely to miss the cut unless injuries strike.

Darren Bent

Never really got the chance to show what he can do in front of goal due to the nature of the team’s performance and his isolation in attack. Seldom linked up with Rooney, and showed most why Capello favours partnering Heskey up front with the Manchester United man. Bent won little in the air, and couldn’t hold the ball up long enough for support to arrive, areas in which Heskey excels, as well the art of winning free-kicks whilst shielding the ball in dangerous wide areas.

Bent is unfortunate that such is the beast of international football there is only one more game left to force his way into the squad. Must ensure he is still banging them in for Sunderland when England’s next fixture rolls around in March.

Was a long way behind Defoe in the pecking order even before the match, and you feel he would have needed a couple of goals on Saturday for Capello to even start thinking about changing his mind.

Jermaine Jenas

Drafted into the starting XI for the first time in over a year when Carrick withdrew with an ankle injury, the Spurs’ midfielder made little impression up against Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo in the middle of the park.

In fairness, Gareth Barry also toiled alongside him for the majority of the match but the Manchester City man has already done enough to guarantee his place in the final squad, and probably first XI, whereas Jenas will need to get some to push Carrick out of the picture come next summer, although you get the impression that Capello would much rather make room for a fit and returning Owen Hargreaves in his squad.

Wes Brown

Had to be included here after being caught out for the only goal of the game when he allowed Nilmar to drift in between him and Upson, and was also at fault when England conceded a penalty soon after, an incident which would have seen Foster walk if the match wasn’t a friendly.

Made a goal-saving block with his head later in the game and made a lot of tackles throughout the match, but will be remembered for the errors at the end of the day.

Still looks a good bet for the squad, however, due to England’s dearth of right-backs. Luke Young was third-choice at right-back but has retired from international football, and Gary Neville, and Micah Richards still appear to be someway behind.

James Milner’s versatility could be the biggest threat to his inclusion next summer, although Brown can point to his ability at centre-back as something equally in his favour.