Bullard surprise in England squad for World Cup matches
Jimmy Bullard has been a surprise call-up to Fabio Capello’s England squad for next month’s 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia on September 6 and 10.
Capello has been forced to call-up the previously untried 29-year-old Bullard as cover for the injured Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick as England start on the road to South Africa.
There was no place in Capello’s 23-man squad for Michael Owen, who the Italian watched make his first full appearance of the season at Arsenal on Saturday, or Peter Crouch, who was again omitted despite his goal for Portsmouth at Everton, also on Saturday.
Micah Richards, who had originally been picked for the England Under-21s’ European Championship qualifier with Portugal on Friday, was also ruled out through injury, leaving Glen Johnson as back-up for Wes Brown at right-back.
Once again, Emile Heskey takes his place in a four-man strike force that also includes Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, plus Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe, who started the unconvincing friendly draw with the Czech Republic on August 20.
West Ham keeper Robert Green returns to the England squad, as does Everton’s Joleon Lescott, who replaces Jonathan Woodgate.
Capello has also kept faith with David Beckham, despite the former England skipper receiving severe criticism for his performance against the Czechs.
England squad
Keepers: Paul Robinson (Blackburn), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham)
Defenders: Joleon Lescott (Everton), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Matthew Upson (West Ham)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Jimmy Bullard (Fulham), David Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy/USA), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), David Bentley (Tottenham), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham)
Strikers: Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth), Emile Heskey (Wigan)
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Owen left out of England soccer squad
Michael Owen, seen here, was the major omission from the England squad which plays opening World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia later this month
Michael Owen was the major omission from the England squad which plays opening World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia later this month.
While Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard was called-up as cover for the injured Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick, Owen was not called up by Fabio Capello although he watched him play for Newcastle at Arsenal on Saturday.
With Capello in attendance at the Emirates Stadium, it was felt Owen would be part of the Italian’s 23-man squad, particularly as he has scored matchwinners against Bolton and Coventry in the past week.
However, Capello gave an indication Owen would miss out earlier this week.
“Owen is a good player and always scores a lot of goals for England,” Capello said on Wednesday before adding: “But he has not played and at this moment, we need fit players.”
Whether Capello can afford to be without Owen, one of only four players to score 40 goals for England, is a debatable point, if not for the meeting with Andorra in Barcelona on Saturday, then certainly for the crunch clash against Croatia in Zagreb four days later.
Instead, Capello has stuck with the four strikers from the squad that earned mixed reviews for their performance in the draw against the Czech Republic at Wembley on August 20.
Once again, Peter Crouch has been left out despite scoring for Portsmouth at Everton on Saturday, although the performance of another Pompey man at Goodison Park, Jermain Defoe, suggests he will be the man asked to partner Wayne Rooney at the Olympic Stadium at Montjuic next weekend.
Capello will be hoping to avoid the kind of abuse Steve McClaren endured at the same venue 18 months ago, when Gerrard’s double and a late David Nugent effort staved off total humiliation against the part-timers after a goalless first-half.
That embarrassment provided the trigger for David Beckham’s return and the former England skipper has retained his place in Capello’s squad even though his punishing schedule - he followed the England game with a trip to Beijing for the Olympics handover - and lack of worthwhile match practice with Los Angeles Galaxy as the reasons behind an apparent decline in performance.
With Manchester City keeper Joe Hart returning to England Under-21 duty and Jonathan Woodgate injured, Robert Green and Joleon Lescott have been recalled, while Glen Johnson will provide cover for Wes Brown at right-back as Gary Neville, like Owen, is deemed not fit enough and Micah Richards picked up a knock in City’s win at Sunderland.
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We’re just champion says Scolari
Luiz Felipe Scolari, seen here, shrugged off the frustration of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham by insisting his side are already in title-winning form
Luiz Felipe Scolari shrugged off the frustration of Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham by insisting his side are already in title-winning form.
The Blues saw their 100 percent start go up in smoke in Sunday’s London derby at Stamford Bridge as Spurs striker Darren Bent cancelled out Juliano Belletti’s first half goal.
But Scolari is still satisfied with seven points from his first three matches and the Chelsea coach believes the Premier League trophy will be back at the Bridge in May if they maintain that form.
“Seven points so far, if we are still making this total at the end of the season, surely we are first.” Scolari said. “Follow the last two or three seasons. With 75 percent of the points you win.”
Bent’s equaliser was harsh on Chelsea, who dominated for long periods, but Scolari’s side paid the price for failing to turn their possession into goals.
With Didier Drogba injured and Nicolas Anelka a subdued figure, Chelsea lacked a cutting edge and, frustrated by Tottenham’s massed defence, they resorted to hopeful long balls several times in the closing stages.
That lack of composure frustrated Scolari, who made a point of telling his players they must keep passing at all times.
“We don’t have tall players to use the high ball,” he said. “What happens is they feel the pressure of the fans. They want to win and it is difficult to think inside the pitch.
“After the game I told the players a draw is ok but we need to try to work the ball. If they make a mistake it is not a problem. With high balls I win one time and lose eight.”
Anelka should have opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Belletti’s pass disected the Spurs defence but the France striker shot wildly over.
Michael Essien went much closer moments later as he surged forward in typcially dynamic fashion before rattling the crossbar with a fierce drive.
Chelsea’s England midfielder Frank Lampard (right) vies with Tottenham’s Jermaine Jenas during their Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, west London. Chelsea were forced to settle for a frustrating 1-1 draw against Tottenham as Darren Bent staged a smash and grab raid at Stamford Bridge.
Spurs finally cracked after 28 minutes. Deco swung in a low corner and, when Bent made a hash of his attempted clearance, Belletti was on hand to volley past Gomes.
But incredibly the visitors went in level at half-time after Bent took advantage of a rare misstep from the Blues in the 45th minute.
Frank Lampard nipped in to tackle Luka Modric in midfield and Ricardo Carvalho failed to close down Bent quickly enough. The Spurs striker pounced on the loose ball, burst in the penalty area and slipped his shot under Petr Cech.
After losing their first two games, Spurs finally showed some resilience to grind out a point. Once again Ramos’s side were a confused mess going forward, but at least the Spurs boss could take comfort from the way his side refused to surrender.
With Russia striker Roman Pavlyuchenko on board and ready for his debut after the international break, Ramos believes this result could kick-start Tottenham’s season.
“Let’s hope this result can ignite the season. It was a great performance and result and let’s hope it is positive ahead,” he said.
“We needed something to kick-start the season, to lift spirits and give the players confidence for what lies ahead. With the arrival of Pavlyuchenko and anyone else who joins at the last minute we’ll have more options on the field.
“He will bring an awful lot to the side. All his qualities are well known. He is a player with world-renowned qualities, he has achieved a lot with his national side and the biggest thing we hope is that he settles in quickly.
“He’s come in from a different country and it is important he settles in to this type of football as soon as possible.”
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