Both of England’s star central midfielders have been ruled out of the game against Germany tomorrow. Gerrard has a small tear in a leg muscle and could be out for 5-10 days (most likely 5, I’m sure he’ll make Saturday’s game against Fulham…) whereas Lampard has a damaged rib. Again, I’m sure he will be back against Newcastle on Saturday.
Its a difficult one; if players have a slight injury, not enough to prevent them playing but enough to require resting, are their clubs entitled to withdraw them? They pay their wages, and they are their assets. But at the same time, this is International football, a huge driver for the game worldwide. A difficult one – you have every sympathy with the club – but also for Capello.
Lampard and Gerrard have been replaced by Scott Parker and Jimmy Bullard – not exactly like for like. England’s squad is not so deep, after all. Unless you want someone to do keepy ups (yes, that is a young Scott) and someone to play the clown.
The inclusion of Michael Mancienne is interesting; Capello obviously believes that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough – and it will be great experience for the young Chelsea defender (currently on loan at Wolves). Rio Ferdinand, whom Terry Venables invited to train with the squad for experience before a full call up, constantly lauds the experience – it would be good if 3 or 4 promising youngsters were invited to train with the England squad each time they got together. Capello is moving in that direction, which is great to see.
England are missing Ferdinand himself, Wes Brown, and Wayne Rooney from Utd, and also absent are Emile Heskey, and both Joe and Ashley Cole. It will be a much changed line-up tomorrow night in Berlin; the squad in full:
Carson, Robinson, James, Bridge, Davies, Johnson, Terry, Lescott, Mancienne, Richards, Upson, Barry, Carrick, Downing, Bullard, Parker, Wright-Phillips, A Young, Agbonlahor, Bent, Crouch, Defoe, Walcott.
I’m hoping we get to see the exciting and hugely talented Ashley Young at some point, and that Capello also gives Carrick a run, who has been in great form recently.
Kick off is 19.45, and you can watch it live on ITV.
[...] absentees were discussed previously (click here) – and with the added injury to Theo Walcott (who could be out for up to three months – and has [...]