England's World Cup Squad Announced

Today Fabio Capello announced his provisional 30 man squad which will be cut to 23 for the 2010 World Cup. The squad has a number of surprises. I think the biggest surprise is the inclusion of Jamie Carragher who retired from international football several years ago. It was pleasant surprise to see 6 Spurs players called up for the friendlies against Mexico and Japan this month. Then there are the omissions. Oh... So much to talk about and so little class time left to cover it all.

Jamie Carragher is actually a clever pick, even if a bit mad. The Liverpool man has had a rough season, but he is an experienced defender and someone who can provide cover at right back as Glen Johnson is the only RB picked. His experience will be key as players like David Beckham are injured and unavailable and players Like Rio and JT are bad influences. For England supporters, I hope Carra doesn't have to walk onto the pick in a game, but he should be a good personality for the locker room. That said, it is rumored that Capello had to beg him to come back, and there is speculation that part of his agreement promises that he makes the final squad of 23.

The 30 man squad carries the 6 Spurs starters in Dawson, King, Huddlestone, Lennon, Crouch and Defoe. The team has done well in the league this season and these 6 players have been crucial. It is fantastic to see Dawson and King in the squad because if I were asked, I would have to say the center of defense is the biggest Weakness for England right now. Rio has been injured the majority of the season and John Terry has been in poor form since his personal indiscretions were brought to light and of course brings that baggage along with him. I don't think it is likely that we will see Dawson and King play together at any point, but if called upon, I think they will do themselves proud and do great work for England. Huddlestone has been good all season and has been important in keeping the Spurs team going as he provides great passing and can make things happen with his rocket launcher right foot. Lennon is fast and has learned how to cross, and I am disappointed that Walcott is even in the 30 because as the crowd at White Hart lane will tell him, "Your just a shit Aaron Lennon." Defoe and Crouch are what they are. A poacher and a 80 foot tall hold up man with great footwork. Finally, I just want to point out how annoying it has been hearing commentators and pundits saying "I bet capello wishes Gareth Bale was English." I really doubt it. I will objectively say that Ashley Cole is a better left back and though Gareth is good, he has no place in the England Squad even if he was English.

Soon the 30 man squad will have to be cut to 23, and I think my person opinion for who should be cut from the squad will differ from Fabio Capello's. I think that Stephen Warnock, Matthew Upson, Michael Carrick ,Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips,Tom Huddlestone and Emile Heskey should be the seven sent home. Huddlestone and Heskey are players who I think can be useful, but do not fit into the team in a useful way other than filling spots. The other five, I think are simply filling spots in the 30. You don't need 3 left backs and I think Cole will play all the games and Baines is the best back up. You don't need 4 right wingers. Lennon will likely play most, but I think Adam Johnson is the second best of the bunch. Carrick doesn't do anything for me. Upson is overrated. I think more likely, Capello will send home Upson, Warnock, Huddlestone, Barry(injury), Bent, Wright-Phillips and probably Carrick.

I think a major surprise is also the ommissions from the 30. Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor are great players who deserve a chance. They also could use the experience for future World Cups as they could be in the running later. Also, Bobby Zamora should have been given a chance. The song goes, "If you're sat in row zed and the ball hits your head, that's Zamora." But this season he has played well and scored goals despite being in a worse team than Darren Bent. He has come a long way. Overall though, Capello has picked a fair 30 to start. We'll see how well he has selected June 12th against a team I'm sure we'll hear from Skippy about.

England's 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup finals:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Scott Parker (West Ham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).

Forwards: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).