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Sven Names England Squad For World Cup Finals - Arsenal's Walcott In - Spurs' Defoe Not

Submitted by Scott Harkness on Mon, 08/05/2006 - 17:00.

Sven Goran Eriksson has named his provisional squad for the World Cup today and in doing so has made a few surprise choices and a few surprise exclusions.

The biggest shock in the squad list is with the call-up of Arsenal's teenage sensation Theo Walcott, who joins Wayne Rooney, Peter Crouch and Michael Owen.

17-year-old Walcott, who signed for the Gunners from Southampton, hasn't even played a Premiership match for Arsenal since his move, has been called on by the Swede after having been impressed by watching Walcott in training.

Spurs youngster Aaron Lennon is also in the squad in place of Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips. whilst Bayern Münich midfielder Owen Hargreaves and Mikddlesbrough's Stewart Downing also make the 23-man party.

Spurs' Ledley King and Jermaine Defoe are amongst those left out.

Defoe does at least make the stand-by list which includes Darren Bent, Luke Young, Scott Caroson, Andrew Johnson and Nigel Reo-Coker.

England squad for World Cup Finals in Germany 2006 in full:

Goalkeepers:

David James (Manchester City)
Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur)
Robert Green (Norwich City)

Defenders:

John Terry (Chelsea)
Sol Campbell (Arsenal)
Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
Ashley Cole (Arsenal)
Gary Neville (Manchester United)
Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
Wayne Bridge (Chelsea)

Midfielders:

David Beckham (Real Madrid)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Michael Carrick (Tottenham Hotspur)
Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich)
Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur)
Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)
Joe Cole (Chelsea)
Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur)

Strikers:

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Michael Owen (Newcastle United)
Peter Crouch (Liverpool)
Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

Players on stand-by:

Scott Carson (Liverpool)
Luke Young (Charlton)
Nigel Reo-Coker (West Ham United)
Jermaine Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)
Andrew Johnson (Crystal Palace)


Submitted by Will420 (not verified) on Mon, 08/05/2006 - 17:25.

I like the squad, i think he's made some brave decisions. King is class but there are other players capable of filling the role(s) he could have played. That said, if he was fit i think he would be in and Campbell out. The only change i would make would be to drop Hargreaves (i'm still not sure what he offers!) and add Defoe as i think we're taking a bit of a risk with our current selection of strikers. Who knows though, maybe he's thinking of one up front and a 5 man midfield???


Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/05/2006 - 00:41.

I agree with most of the squad, I think for once Sven has been adventurous and find most of the squad selection exciting, particularly that of Lennon and Downing. Maybe I would have liked to see Scott Parker get a look in at the expense of Jenas.
I think people worrying about Campbell's mental state have unfounded fears, the guy has always produced the goods and consistently been one of the Worlds top defenders since Euro 2000. A quality player even if Rio and Terry are first choice.
Not sure about Walcott though, It's a gamble, but possibly one worth taking. I'd take Defoe or Bent instead of Hargreaves just in case it doesn't work out.


Submitted by 123_321 (not verified) on Tue, 09/05/2006 - 20:11.

da team is good but walcott is a mistake. hes gambling on rooney but he shood b ok by da end. i think we hav a chance of winning the world cup after 40 years of hert


Submitted by Freddie Kho (not verified) on Sat, 20/05/2006 - 10:43.

I agree almost the whole squad, but i think Mr.Eriksson have to add one more striker and left out one midfielder..With the latest condition of Rooney and Owen, Mr.Eriksson must be careful with the offensive of the team..Peter Crouch may be can be a special substitute but, the latest performance at liverpool shows the non consistant performance from him, Theo Walcoot is too young to take the responsibility...I think maybe Mr.Eriksson can include Jermain Defoe on the team to replace Downing or Lennon because i think the midfielders is too many..or maybe Walccot can be replace by Nigel Reo-Coker, i think the performances that he shows at West Ham shows that he deserves to be include at team. Thanx for the attention...