Predicted - England’s World Cup Squad

With less than a year to go until the World Cup in South Africa, I am gonna give this prediction business a go. Fabio Capello will get to chose his 23 man squad, and these are the guys I think he is gonna go with. Of course, injuries will naturally mean at least a couple of these don’t make it, and I expect Fabio to have a more enlightened idea of his squad than I do. As such, I aim to get 20/23 right.

1 – David James is clearly our first choice keeper at the moment, and I just don’t see that changing anytime soon. Well, I would love it if we could just get over ourselves and pick Almunia, but I don’t predict that to happen.

2 – Ben Foster has enough potential to fit into Man United’s plans this season and looks secure as England’s second choice.

3 – Rob Green will be our third keeper. He’s West Ham’s first choice, and he has a good record. I have always felt it is unnecessary to take three keepers to the World Cup. While I can see the reasons why you don’t want unexpected injuries or suspensions to leave you without a keeper, I think it is a gamble worth taking. But Fabio will play it safe, take three keepers, and one of those will be Green.

4 – Rio Ferdinand is the best English centre back by a mile.

5 – John Terry may be slowing down in his later years, but he does seem to have some leadership qualities which make him pretty well respected.

6 – Glen Johnson was deemed worth £17m so will probably play a lot for Liverpool this year, and end up with that place as England’s first choice right back.

7 – Ashley Cole.

8 – Joleon Lescott makes a good enough impression at Everton, and since King cannot play regularly, he will be there.

9 – Wes Brown will come back from injury any day now and walk into the squad.

10 – Leighton Baines will be on the plane just because he is better than Bridge.

11 – Michael Carrick when he has time to turn and set himself he is one of the best passers in the game. There is a reason why Sir Alex paid top money for him, and continues to play him in the middle of his title winning team.

12 – Frank Lampard seems to be quite good when he plays for Chelsea.

13 – Steven Gerrard seems to be quite good when he plays for Liverpool.

14 – Gareth Barry even though I think Barry has been overrated because he is consistent, it is that consistency which will mean Fabio trusts him. Hargreaves is better, but since his legs no longer seem to work, he probably will miss out.

15 – Joe Cole was our best player of the last World Cup, and when he comes back to full fitness he will play a key role in Fabio’s team.

16 – Aaron Lennon will be our choice for the right. This is the toughest to call, but I think he will, just, edge ahead of Walcott and SWP to be in the squad.

17 – Milner is loved by Stuart Pearce, and Pearce has the ear of Fabio Capello.

18 – Stewart Downing.

19 – David Beckham gives us something no other player can.

20 – Wayne Rooney will score for fun.

21 – Emile Heskey is just so liked by all of his strike partners and by Fabio that he will keep out, incorrectly in my opinion, Carlton Cole.

22 – Jermain Defoe will play well enough to keep out Owen, providing Owen is even fit at the time.

23 – Peter Crouch. Beacuse he said he retire the Robot until we win the world cup final.