Euro 2012 Squad

So we have all made it through the festive period. Most of us are unscathed and there appears to be a genuine 3 way fight for the Premier League this season. With that in mind here is a look at some of the players that Fabio Capello should be watching ahead of the upcoming friendlies before choosing his England Euro 2012 squad.

Goalkeepers
Obviously an injury free Joe Hart is a dead certainty to make the squad for the summer tournament. Elsewhere I have been impressed with David Stockdale since his recall to deputise for Mark Schwarzer. So who should get the 3rd spot. Well all things considered I would have to say Blackburn’s Paul Robinson has been in good form this season. I can’t think of anyone better who is playing every week. Capello seems to like Scott Carson though which is a worry for me as no club in England deemed him good enough yet he keeps making England squads.

Right Backs
If Micah Richards can at last impress Capello that he can recreate his early England form then you have to say he is a definate for the squad. Capello doesn’t like something about him though. This may leave the field open for both Kyle Walker and Glen Johnson to both be included in the Euro Squad.

Left Backs
Quite a simple choice for Capello. Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines should both make the squad and should one get injured between now and the end of the season then Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker can both fill in on that side.

Centre Backs
There could be an issue in this area of the squad and it centres around whether John Terry is found guilty of his pending racism charge. For the purposes of this article I am not including him in the squad, although it’s safe to say that if available, his inclusion would be a given.

Gary Cahill must have slipped down the pecking order due to his season with Bolton and will need a stellar second half to his season to force his way back in. There is Phil Jagielka who in many ways would be a natural replacement for Terry if required and then Manchester United’s trio of Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. Unfortunately for Smalling I think it will be a tournament too soon for him. Other fringe candidates are Joleon Lescott, Ryan Shawcross and an outside possibility is Steven Taylor of Newcastle United.

Three man Midfield
Capello has ditched the 4-4-2 system. One of the first names on the team sheet will be Scott Parker. As captain in my opinion. Imagine a defensive midfield pairing of Parker and Phil Jones with Steven Gerrard in front of them. There is still time for Tom Cleverley and Jack Wilshere to regain fitness and form and James Milner will be selected for his versatility. The likes of Gareth Barry and Michael Carrick may find they spend the summer twiddling their thumbs. Jack Rodwell is another outside possibility. Under no circumstances should Frank Lampard be a consideration. He has looked lost in the England team for too long now and we have sacrificed enough good players trying to get the best out of him. Again if he can’t get regular football at Chelsea I don’t want him in an England shirt.

Attacking Wide Men
On the right hand side, Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon seem the obvious choices. That is going to make it difficult for Adam Johnson to make his way into the squad. On the left, a fully fit Ashley Young doesn’t have as much competition but Daniel Sturridge and Gabby Agbonlahor could fill that place if needed. Scott Sinclair has had a decent enough season to be on the radar but ultimately I doubt he will make it.

Forwards
Wayne Rooney will go despite his two match ban. Darren Bent is another who should go. Danny Welbeck looks the best option for holding the ball up and has started scoring regularly. Bobby Zamora impressed in his last England performance and is another fighting for contention. Swansea’s Danny Graham has impressed and adapted well to Premier League football but he needs at least some minutes in friendlies.

It makes the second half of the season all the more exciting as players come in and out of form and the dreaded injury jinx starts to hit.