A 23 for the world cup to illustrate options, players in italics still have a chance not to go:-
- Green, James, Foster
- A Right Back, Johnson, Terry, Rio, Upson, Lescott, Bridge, Cole
- Carrick, Barry,Lampard, Gerrard
- Lennon, Wright Phillips, Joe Cole, Beckham
- Rooney, Heskey, Defoe, Crouch
I don’t scout right backs and could have written Brown’s name in but I’d like to think there is better. Suggestions of Micah Richards are not being taken seriously.
Pace is essential so Lennon is guaranteed a flight for me. The winger group may drop to 3 or even 2 to accommodate another central midfielder and/or Carlton Cole. Hargreaves could come back but I’ll be interested to see if he cracks the United team as it seems plausible he would have been sold but for injury.
I deliberately excluded Walcott as he is not good enough at present. He is lucky to make the Arsenal bench and should not if they were they are not balls out for the title.
The loser is surely Michael Owen as he is trying to replace Rooney and Defoe. His loss of pace and inability to last 90 minutes make him unlikely unless he embraces a super sub role at Old Trafford. Owen also will have to show the Beckham attitude and be content to fold towels if asked.
Joe Cole might be a key player for Cap’ as he can play left and could replace Rooney in a link role. He has not played there since West Ham and needs to work harder in a game.
Beckham and Milner will benefit most from absences as adaptable triers. After this week Beckham or Carrick centrally might not be the wash it was either.
Rooney now finds himself the fulcrum of this team and United. If Rooney misses don’t be surprised to see a more 4321 and extra central midfielders taken.
No one is essential but of all the preferences Rooney is the preferred.
