My Three Lions For Capello’s Viewing

Fabio Capello has supposedly said how he will be watching recordings of every Premiership match over the Christmas and New Year period to see the English talent on show. When Sven took charge of his first England game against Spain at Villa Park Ehiogu, Ball, Powell and McCann all got a run out. Instead of going on reputation of previous form he looked for form players in each position. (unfortunately this habit never lasted…)

If we can expect a similar change under Capello we may well be seeing plenty of new faces in the England set up. So to save Fabio a lot of time and effort here are my ‘three lions’ worth another view when he arrives in Soho Square in January. (Joey Barton, Downing and Darren Bent need not apply!)

1) David Bentley. Without a doubt the next Beckham in the making. Some of Bentley’s deliveries are reminiscent of the man Bentley could well be replacing in the national side. Take Blackburn’s victory yesterday, even though it was against Derby Bentley had a key role in the first goal, a perfect cross for the disallowed goal and drove home the winner.

He offers something different than Wright Philips and Lennon (both very similar) on the right hand flank and if he can keep up these electric displays I expect Bentley to have plenty of caps by the time we are welcoming in 2009 and to play a key role in Capello’s England.

2) Robert Green. Robert Green must be wondering what he has to do to get an England call up. He has consistently performed well both this season and last (who can forget his heroics when West Ham were starring relegation in the face) and has been victorious in the last four penalties he has faced, most recently against Ronaldo on the weekend. With the cursed England goalkeepers jersey on the horizon Green will be hoping to avoid adding his name to the list of casualties.

3) Ashley Young. Like Bentley he made a fleeting appearance towards the end of the doomed McClaren era and will be surely due for consideration by Capello. He has only scored three times for Villa this season but has nine assists! His electric pace has been a handful for countless defences and looks likely to improve on his one cap, a substitute appearance against Austria.

Other players worthy for consideration: Gabriel Agbonlahor, Matt Derbyshire, Tom Huddlestone, Mark Noble, Dave Kitson (controversial but he is in fine form) James Milner, Michael Johnson.

~ by Peter Evans on December 31, 2007.