Can England win the World Cup? (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Can England win the World Cup?

4:46pm Thursday 5th November 2009 in

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There is just 8 months to go till the biggest event in football.

The World Cup in South Africa next year could be one of the best when you take into account the quality of teams that have already qualified and the teams who still have to negotiate through a playoff round.

The usual contenders Spain, Brazil, Holland, Italy and Argentina have booked their tickets whilst France, Portugal and Russia have dangerous opponents to play but they should still make it to South Africa.

The likes of Torres, Kaka, Van Persie, Buffon, Messi, Henry, Ronaldo and Arshavin would make it into every person’s world XI and are crucial to the chances of their country’s hopes of winning the tournament.

But its England’s chances of winning the cup that will dominate the sporting headlines.

England dominated a tough looking qualifying group, winning 8 consecutive matches to easily win their group ahead of the Ukraine and Croatia who beat England to qualify for Euro 2008.

The England squad to arrive in South Africa will be more than good enough to win but familiar mistakes from previous tournaments look like being the only thing to stop them.

In Goalkeeper and Defence, there are both positives and negatives in terms of the players who will most likely fly out in June. David James will be 40 years of age at the World Cup but he is still the outstanding goalkeeper because his rivals have failed to put enough pressure on him.

Ben Foster has long been touted as a future England No 1 and he had a chance at Manchester United to stake a claim but mistakes against Manchester City and a lack of authority in the area may count against him. Robert Green has deputised for James in recent games and was decent without ever looking the safe pair of hands needed at a major tournament. Joe Hart and Paul Robinson are the other contenders but it’s difficult to see them making enough match winning saves in the big matches.

The England back four is likely to be Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole and on paper it looks like they will be difficult to get past. But at this moment there are doubts over 2 of these players. Johnson can be brilliant going forward yet completely hopeless going backwards when defending whilst Ferdinand is going through a major crisis of form with mistakes for club and country and continual injury problems.

In midfield, Fabio Capello looks set to pick Theo Walcott, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. It’s a midfield with pace, creativity and goal scoring potential. Walcott’s main competition will come from Aaron Lennon but Walcott’s greater ability and fear factor should see him make the team. Capello is known to like Owen Hargreaves and he could challenge Barry for the defensive midfield position if fit because Barry has been made to look slightly average against better quality opposition.

The Lampard and Gerrard problem hasn’t necessarily been solved because Gerrard is still not being used to the better of his ability but wide on the left looks to be his position for now. Joe Cole needs to regain fitness to earn a place with James Milner coming on strongly. David Beckham’s inclusion is a debate which won’t go anyway. His lack of pace and mobility is a problem and it’s questionable whether he is the man to come off the bench to win a match but he is likely to travel because of his experience and public relations benefits.

Wayne Rooney will lead the attack and the place next to him appears to be up for grabs. Emile Heskey gives you work rate and effort but that doesn’t win games. Goals win games and Jermain Defoe is the most natural goal scorer but he is too small and unproven against the best opposition. Carlton Cole has similar traits to Heskey but his pace and goal threat gives him an edge over Heskey. And there’s still Michael Owen who has led the line before but is out of favour with Capello and is now doing everything he can to change his opinion.

So there are still plenty of issues that need to be addressed ahead of a World Cup which promises to be the greatest show on earth.