On Monday I wrote about why I felt Walcott should go to the World Cup but only in an impact substitute role. Today the England team for the second and final World Cup warm-up match against Japan was announced: David James, Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand (C), John Terry, Ashley Cole, Theo Walcott, Tom Huddlestone, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, Wayne Rooney and Darren Bent.
Whilst the inclusion of both Tom Huddlestone and Darren Bent are worthy of discussion, I wanted to briefly follow up my piece on Walcott.
I find Theo’s inclusion in this second game as bizarre, for a few reasons:
1. I believe that Aaron Lennon should be starting on the right hand side for England at the World Cup. I expected him to start the upcoming game against Japan, but not on the left of midfield. If Walcott has been selected as first choice then fine, but Lennon should be given an opportunity to challenge for the position, in HIS position. It is unfair to expect Lennon to perform on the left of midfield when that is not his natural position. Lennon’s game has become about speed and his ability to either whip an early ball in or get to the byline and pull the ball back. On the left, Lennon will always have to cut back inside onto his right foot losing the yard of space he will have made for himself and giving the defender a chance. It also makes Lennon too predictable as he lacks the ability to cross with his left foot. Of course it could work in his favour, as sometimes it does with wingers playing on their wrong side but the fact he almost never plays there for his club, Tottenham, suggests this isn’t something he is too comfortable with.
2. There are three wide players who have had less of an opportunity lately to prove themselves than others – Adam Johnson, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Joe Cole. Surely it is in Capello’s interests to give them a chance considering at least one of them WILL be selected for the World Cup.
3. Walcott had a poor game against Mexico. His selection again could be a sign that Capello has faith in him and be an attempt at boosting his confidence. Alternatively, if Walcott was to go to the World Cup as an impact substitute then he could be trialled in that role in this game and he could come on for the last 25 minutes.
4. Part of me would like to believe that Walcott’s inclusion is actually a negative thing. I would like to think Capello has recognised that Walcott has been poor and wants him to play once more to convince himself that Walcott is not good enough to start or maybe even go to the World Cup – maybe Capello is having serious doubts about Walcott.
5. Finally, Walcott may be a guaranteed starter and Capello may just wish to give him minutes on the pitch.
I was angry earlier when I read that Lennon was starting on the left. When I saw that it was because Walcott was starting on the right I was fuming. I believe you either start your strongest team and bring on players to see how they can influence games, or you experiment in these friendlies. Capello has learnt nothing new from Walcott yet – he simply isn’t ready or in the form for top level International football yet, so starting Walcott again is no experiment. Lennon should be starting this game on the right, in his position, as he has a genuine chance of starting there at the World Cup. Walcott should either be amongst the substitutes or resigned to attempting to make an impact on the left – which might actually spare him of some criticism, as like Lennon, it isn’t his natural position either.
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Tags: Aaron Lennon, Arsenal, Doron, England, Lennon, South Africa 2010, Spurs, Theo Walcott, Tottenham, Walcott, World Cup
[...] Theo Walcott has been left out of the final England squad by Fabio Capello. I have previously hinted that this is something I would have considered from the very beginning. I would have never selected Walcott in my initial squad. I then suggested that actually Walcott’s selection against Mexico and Japan may not have been all it seems – see point four. [...]
[...] players who would be happy to have a full back overlap and who are both adept at cutting inside. Having backed Lennon before, I am concerned that he seems to be struggling with nerves and forming an understanding with [...]