Unlucky Number 7

The number 7 is normally recognised as a ‘good’ number in sport. Players such as David Beckham, Christiano Ronaldo, George Best, Lewis Figo, Eric Cantona and Raul have all worn the famous number 7 jersey for club and country. But for 7 England internationals it will be their unlucky number.

Capello picked a provisional squad of 30 to ensure all his options were covered meaning 7 players would get the dreaded phone-call on Tuesday June 1st telling them they are not going to be flying out to South Africa, Capello claims he knows his final 23 but with every fan, pundit and player still unsure who are ‘the unlucky 7’.

There seem to be seventeen names that Fabio Capello has faith in and has shown his cards with.

D, James (Portsmouth), R, Green (West Ham), J, Hart (Manchester City) G, Johnson (Liverpool), A, Cole (Chelsea), J, Terry (Chelsea), R, Ferdinand (Manchester United), J, Carragher (Liverpool), L, Baines (Everton) S, Gerrard (Liverpool), F, Lampard (Chelsea), T, Walcott (Arsenal), A, Lennon (Tottenham), J, Milner (Aston Villa) W, Rooney (Manchester United), P, Crouch (Tottenham), J, Defoe (Tottenham)

The only player out of the ‘seventeen names’ to have played all 180 minutes and that is Wayne Rooney. Capello recognises the importance of Rooney to England’s chances and although Rooney hasn’t been at his best in these two warm up games every different system Capello has tried is based around him. Four players who have not featured at all in the two warm up games are Matthew Dawson, Matthew Upson, Steven Warnock and Scott Parker. So if you read much into that you could say the seven is down to three.

How here comes the debate, 9 players, 6 plane tickets. Who does Capello pick?

If Capello had any question marks over Joe Cole they were answered with his performance against Japan giving England a creative link between the front and the midfield that allowed Rooney to do best and movement in positions in the box. Shaun Wright-Phillips also made an impact perhaps pushing him in line for a plane ticket ahead of possibly Adam Johnson who has impressed Capello in training, but obviously not enough for a chance to show it when it matters.

Ledley King also will be positive of his chances after an impressive showing against Mexico and showing his treat from set-pieces by finishing a knock-down from Peter Crouch. Not featuring in the warm up game against Japan shows Capello must have worries about his fitness and of course nobody knows how much he has trained this week.

The last three places then are between Emile Heskey, Darren Bent, Tom Huddlestone, Michael Carrick and Gareth Barry. Although there is a serious injury doubt surrounding Gareth Barry he instantly gets one of the last three places even if he is unavailable for U.S.A come 12th June. Darren Bent didn’t do himself many favours but you could argue he lacked service in a very average first half performance against Japan. Emile Heskey featured for the last ten minutes against Japan and although he missed a sitter from 5 yards when it was easier to score maybe the relationship he has with Wayne Rooney who likes playing alongside Heskey gives him the nod.

The last plane ticket then is between Tom Huddlestone and Michael Carrick. A poor and as usual casual performance by Carrick against Mexico after hardly featuring in Manchester United’s run-in shows a lack of confidence and faith in his ability to break up play. Huddlestone was okay but nothing special against Japan so I’m going to leave this one to experience. 22 caps, 3 Premiership titles and two Champions League finals over 2 full caps and 33 under-21 caps give Michael Carrick the advantage, just.

The Unlucky 7:

S, Warnock (Aston Villa), M, Upson (West Ham), M, Dawson (Tottenham), S, Parker (West Ham), A, Johnson (Manchester City), T, Huddlestone (Tottenham), D, Bent (Sunderland)

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Written by Andrew Leese; 30th May 2010.