Young wingers Adam Johnson and Theo Walcott were two of the more surprising omissions from England's final 23-man World Cup roster, revealed on Tuesday afternoon.
Veterans Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips did make the cut as England manager Fabio Capello chose to go with experience over youth in his final selections.
Here is England's squad:
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green. Defenders: Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.
Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Forwards: Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.
What do you think of the squad? Surprised to see Walcott left out and/or Johnson left out? Think the United States can beat this England team?
Share your thoughts below.
If you think England will overlook the USA you are just mental.
Just because some of the tabloid papers print stupid headlines like ‘England Algeria Slovenia Yanks’ (how could a journalist not use an acronym like that if it is handed to him on a plate!) don’t think the English public, the English players, the England coaching staff and Fabio Capello are underestimating anyone.
It’s the World Cup pal, the amount of preperation for each game has been and will be phenomenal, every team will be considered dangerous.
If England lose to the USA it won’t be because we underestimated you.
People are giving too much respect to England. Historically England is better, True. England has a few players who are much more technical than ours, true. But as Americans we almost never believe that that the opposition is superior to us. Maybe this is why we are so great in sports.
11 vs 11 for 90 minutes, anything can happen!! I predict a 2-1 U.S win. You heard it here first.
ESPNDEPORTES asked Donovan, Jozy and a few other players who will win the 2010 cup, all of them said, USA! Godamn right cabrones! We are not the mexican team with the whole “si se puede” crap. We know we can and we are expected to f$%king WIN!;) Excuse the language, I’m just so pumped up for the W.C.
No Walcott? And I thought Domenech was dumb
so when are people gonna stop offering gimmick formations, ten days before the world cup? Insert whoever you want into the lineup, but we run a 4-4-2!
So you would take Joe Cole over Landon Donovan? Gerrard? And not gerrard of old I mean on his present form? Really?
Walcott is a near twin of Findley, both like to run the ball over the end-line, but with speed.
A Johnson is a different story. As a US supporter I’m glad he got cut. He is a baby Robben in the making, and could have put some serious moves on our FB’s.
England’s side is not made up of a first-team EPL squad. You’re forgetting all the great players from around the world that play in the EPL. Unless you’re suggesting that the very best 11 at every position in the EPL are in fact English. With that said the they have an incredible team.
The English National Team brought to you by West Ham United’s academy.
+1
If this were 2002 or 2006, I’d agree about the US. Discipline and cohesion used to be hallmarks of the team, but this edition of the US team isn’t like past editions. Don’t you think someone on the 2002 team would have covered Spector’s run against Turkey?
I really wouldn’t say that England is loaded with world-class talent. That’s not meant to be insulting. A lot of the guys are simply very good premiership professionals. They’re solid players, but do they start for Spain or Brazil?
IF I am BB, I start a 4-5-1 against England
Tim
Rolo DeMerit Gooch Boca
Torres Edu
Demps Jr Landon
Gomez
Bring Jozy as a sub after 60 minutes, he doesnt work hard enough to pressure the backline but would be a good threat of the bench against a tired backline.
Question is not if any of the US players make the England squad, how many of the players cut today by England would make the US squad and would any start:
Bent – Makes US 23, maybe starts
Walcott – starts
Dawson – starts
Johnson – makes 23
Baines – starts
Parker – makes 23
Huddlestone – makes 23