Case for English defence

After earlier picking my forward line-up for England’s trip to South Africa 2010 and with the midfield being a little trickier, I will first go over the choices we have at the back.

There is room for three goalkeepers. David James, Robert Green and Ben Foster will get the nod with Joe Hart ready to step up as a result of any injuries. I don’t think there is too much question about this – only Paul Robinson and Chris Kirkland could potentially see themselves challenging Hart for the ‘reserve’ spot, however, it is unlikely.

In defence I have decided to go with seven rather than the usual eight, the reason for this is that as I only picked four strikers I want to free up an extra spot for an extra attacking midfielder.

John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson need no introduction and are in. After that we need to find three from Matthew Upson, Joleon Lescott, Wes Brown, Micah Richards, Wayne Bridge, Stephen Warnock, Gary Neville and Jonathan Woodgate – although there is a strong case for Ledley King too.

Our first choice back four is cemented – barring injury – with the names mentioned above. What we need now is to find able cover in all positions. For that reason Joleon Lescott gets the first place, he now plays regularly at centre half for Manchester City but was often used at left back in his days at Goodison Park. I wouldnt be confident going into the competition with Joleon being first choice Left Back or Centre Half – if Ashley Cole was any sort of doubt then Wayne Bridge would be in, but Lescott is able cover for both positions.

Back-up for the two central defenders will come from Matthew Upson, Jonathan Woodgate or Ledley King. There is no doubt when these three players are fit there is not much to choose between them at all and could all justify there place in the team.

However injury proneness rules Woodgate out this time round. Ledley King is an interesting one; if he wasn’t needed for the whole tournament he could well find himself in South Africa but with places at a premium it is hard to justify his place. The danger is that something happens to either Ferdinand or Terry in the first training session and we need our 3rd choice centre back to play more than once in 10 days. Matthew Upson is sure fire to win this particular race.

For the final place in defence it comes down to Wes Brown and Micah Richards. My decision ultimately comes down to one thing, pace. Richards has bags of it and would be a good match for most if he was called upon in a game. If I hadn’t already selected four centre-backs then Wes Brown would have got the nod as I think he is better in there than Richards but as it is the City defender wins the race to cover for Johnson.

I don’t see Capello experimenting with any formations other than four at the back, whoever the opposition. We need good, strong, solid players in each position. In Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson we also have the ability to get forward with pace – something that is key in International football.

So here are the 10 players who collectively will be protecting England’s goal from some of the best attackers in the world.

David James
Robert Green
Ben Foster