Preliminary England Squad v France - Beckham (& Walcott) Recalled

[kyan]

Beckham recalled to England squad

David Beckham has been recalled to the England squad for the friendly with France in Paris on 26 March.

The LA Galaxy midfielder, 32, who has 99 caps, is in a provisional 30-man squad named by coach Fabio Capello.

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, 19, has been called up for the first time since the 2006 World Cup finals.

Middlesbrough defender David Wheater, Portsmouth's Jermain Defoe and Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor are also included.

But Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick and his club-mate, goalkeeper Ben Foster, miss out along with Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon, who has also been left out of the Under-21 squad.

Capello has picked Portsmouth veteran David James, Villa's Scott Carson and Wigan's Chris Kirkland as his three keepers, meaning there is also no place for Tottenham's Paul Robinson or West Ham's Rob Green.

Beckham was omitted from Capello's first squad, for February's 2-1 friendly win over Switzerland, along with Chelsea duo John Terry and Frank Lampard, who both return after injury.

But the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was watched by Capello's assistant Franco Baldini in a friendly for LA Galaxy in Dallas at the weekend and obviously did enough to convince the Italians over his fitness.

Capello explained: "I always said that when David was fit he could be in the squad.

"I have had good reports on him from Franco, who watched him on Saturday night, and also from his club. I know a lot about David Beckham and what he can offer the team."

Galaxy general manager Alexi Lalas has no doubts about Beckham's sharpness and told BBC 5 Live: "David has played in all our pre-season games. He is healthy, excited and motivated.

"Every player wants to be called up on merit. As significant as it is to get your 100th cap, this is a situation where Fabio Capello is calling in a great player to help him with the task in hand.

"I can assure everybody that he is injury free and ready to go.

"We hope he stays that way not just for the game midweek for England but through our season which begins the following weekend.

"Hopefully he will get his 100th cap against France then come back to the US and continue with LA Galaxy as we start our season."

Agbonlahor was selected by the Italian for the Switzerland game but was forced to withdraw because of injury.

Walcott's inclusion comes two years after his first and last appearance for England under Sven-Goran Eriksson, when he became the youngest England international.

The Gunners forward told his club's website: "I celebrated my 19th birthday on Sunday so the call-up is a great birthday present for me.

"I am looking forward to meeting up with all of the lads after the weekend's game."

Walcott and Wheater were called up after discussions with England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce.

Capello explained: "Theo and David are two good young players who have done very well for the Under-21s this season and when I have seen them play for their clubs.

"Next week Stuart has a friendly match so it is a good opportunity for us to consider some of the younger players for the senior squad."

Those named in Capello's first 30-man squad in January who miss out this time are Micah Richards and Curtis Davies, both injured, as well as Ledley King, Nicky Shorey, Emile Heskey and Carrick.

There is a keen interest in who Capello will choose as his captain against France.

Liverpool midfielder Steve Gerrard wore the skipper's armband against Switzerland but previous incumbent under Steve McClaren, Terry, was ruled out of that match because of injury.

The squad will be reduced to a final group of 23 players on Saturday night, even though 13 of the players will play on Sunday when Manchester United host Liverpool and Chelsea take on Arsenal.

Provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: James (Portsmouth), Carson (Aston Villa), Kirkland (Wigan)

Defenders: Bridge (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), Johnson (Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), Lescott (Everton), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Wheater (Middlesbrough), Woodgate (Tottenham), Upson (West Ham)

Midfielders: Barry (Aston Villa), Young (Aston Villa), Bentley (Blackburn), J Cole (Chelsea), Lampard (Chelsea), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Man Utd), Downing (Middlesbrough), Jenas (Tottenham)

Forwards: Walcott (Arsenal), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Crouch (Liverpool), Rooney (Man Utd), Owen (Newcastle), Defoe (Portsmouth).

BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Beckham recalled to England squad

I'm surprised by quite a lot in this squad tbh, particularly with Carrick and Lennon not being included. While competition at RW and CM is tough, Carrick really ought to have earned some sort of recognition... he's been keeping Hargreaves out of United's CM, altho Hargo has been called up. SWP I still don't rate... I think Lennon is better than him both in terms of potential, form and ability.

Up front, I can't remember the last time Crouch played a full game and/or scored in the Premiership... Although I guess he is still a useful option.

[G-R87]

I wanna see Beckham try out the 'free role'. (the same position that Zidane played) because I feel that he has the technique and range of passing/vision to operate there very effectively.

This would be my preferd formation: (not for this game necessarily, just in general)

Rooney Crouch Lennon


Gerrard Beckham

Hargreaves


A.Cole Terry Ferdinand Richards



James

I think that with Gerrard bursting forward there will be cover from Hargreaves and Beckham, who can rome and pick out the runs of Gerrard, Rooney, Lennon, Crouch. Rooney can do what he does for Man Utd, Crouch can link up the play (especially with Gerrard) and Lennon offers the pace to unsettle defenders and feed the two other strikers.

This formation would also allow the fullbacks to utilise their pace and link up. Hargreaves could tidy up in front of the defence and also fill any gaps in midfield and both the CBs are good enough on the ball to play it outfield. What do people think?

[kyan]

I don't think that formation would get the best out of Beckham or Rooney.

Beckham has great passing sure, but it's better from out wide rather than straight down the middle, he wouldn't have the time, space or angles he's used to out wide to put in perfect balls from the centre.

And Rooney is very good out wide, but he's better down the middle, he just needs a good supply.

I'd like to see Beckham start this game to get his 100th cap.

But long term I'd like to see:

----------Rooney---Agbonlahor(?)------------
Young----------------------------------Bentley
----------Gerrard-------Hargreaves----------
Cole-------Ferdinand---Terry-------Richards
------------------Foster/Hart-------------------

I said Agbonlahor because while Crouch is a reserve at Liverpool he shouldn't start for England, and because Agbonlahor's young age, sheer pace and good ability both with the ball at his feet and in the air makes him a good all round threat. If he can home his talents he can be top quality and would make a great partner to get the best out of Rooney.

I think Lennon should be used as a sub, with his pace against a tiring defence...

tbh I'd rather see Carrick in there than Gerrard because I think it would give more freedom to the rest of the team than if Gerrard were there but Gerrard's the better player and people want to see him play. Similarly to Lampard but I chose Hargreaves simply because Gerrard--Lampard doesn't work, no matter what anyone says, although maybe Capello has the ability to mould them...

[russe||]

I can understand Lennon being left out. He has had a bad season by why Capello hasn't picked Carrick, I can't understand.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Good choice to have Beckham in the squad.

[keano10]

I can't believe Lennon has been left out. He might not have been at his best recently, but imo he's the best right winger we have at the moment. Not sure why Carrick has not been selected either, he's been playing very well over the last few months and deserves to be in there.

[Sven]

SWP has what Lennon doesn't have determenation and spirit, ability to score/

completly understand.

Carrick I don't understand.

I would play

keeper - james
defense picks it self.
mid
Lamps,Barry,Gerrard
J.Cole
Rooney
Young

Young is amazing at assists this season.

[Werdna]

Please, please play Beckham so all the media rambling about whether he will get his 100th cap comes to an end...

[keano10]

Originally Posted by Sven

SWP has what Lennon doesn't have determenation and spirit, ability to score/

completly understand.

Carrick I don't understand.

I would play

keeper - james
defense picks it self.
mid
Lamps,Barry,Gerrard
J.Cole
Rooney
Young

Young is amazing at assists this season.

In the league this season, SWP has 3 goals and 4 assists this season where as Lennon has 2 goals and 4 assists, so there is not much in it. You're right, SWP does generally score more goals, however, his crossing (like Lennon's) is nowhere near good enough. I wouldn't say Lennon lacks determination or spirit either. Maybe SWP has been picked on experience, as he is 6 years older than Lennon.

I agree with you on that team you picked though.

[Dellas]

Originally Posted by keano10

nowhere near good enough. I wouldn't say Lennon lacks determination or spirit either. Maybe SWP has been picked on experience, as he is 6 years older than Lennon.

really woops I thought they were a lot closer when it came to age difference.

Why is Walcott in the squad?? Better to have SWP and Lennon.

My team would be:

--------------------Foster/James--------

-Richards----Ferdinand-------Terry--------Cole

-------------------Hargreaves-------------------

-Lampard-----------------------Gerrard-----------

-J.Cole-----------Rooney------------Agbonlahor-

Imo if Ballack and Lamprd can start to play well together then i think that Lampard and Gerrard should be given another chance in this formation where they both can defend and attack freely.

J.Cole has been on form and Gabby has a lot of pace to run at the French defence and they both can supply Rooney in the centre.