England captain Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out for 6 to 8 weeks and will miss the World Cup finals after sustaining a knee injury in training after a clash with Emile Heskey. It is a big blow to England and to Ferdinand who has missed a number of games this season with Manchester United through injury. Ferdinand has played in two World Cup tournaments (2002 & 2006) and has scored one goal in the 3-0 victory over Denmark in 2002. Steven Gerrard will skipper England in Ferdinand’s absence, whilst Michael Dawson has flown out to South Africa as cover for the 31 year old.
Loss of Ferdinand
Ferdinand’s injury is a massive blow to England, although as the Azzurri will testify – losing your best centre half isn’t the end of world, considering Alessandro Nesta was forced to miss the most of the 2006 World Cup due to injury. In the last five years Ferdinand has demonstrated the attributes needed to associate with a top class center back. Comfortable in possession, good reader of the game and his athleticism allows him to step out of defense into midfield to carry the ball forward. His injuries have been a major blow since late 2008 when he sustained a back injury in the warm up against Stoke City. Many had compared the partnership of Vidic and Ferdinand to that of Billy Costacuta and Franco Baresi, however injuries restricted that potential. Below is the side we think that Capello will choose against the USA:
Ferdinand is a natural leader and his influence will sorely be missed in the England camp. Having said that his replacement, which we think will be Ledley King, has had a wonderful season alongside Michael Dawson at the heart of Tottenham Hotspur defense. King is great in the air, strong and can read the game extremely well. His only drawback is the amount of injuries he has had over the years, which restricts his training. King’s reading of the game is one of his greatest assets, although his lack of mobility may be a concern considering his partner, John Terry, is not blessed with pace. Against weaker opposition England can press higher up the pitch, although will be subject to the counter attack if up against pacey forwards. Against ball playing sides, the English will surely rely on counter attack themselves, something that has always been criticised in England. The counter attack has to be a tool in any top football sides arsenal. Counter attacking was always associated with ‘smaller’ clubs/nations, however we see top sides time and time again in the Champions League and my guess is that we will see it next week.
The Capello Factor
There is no doubt about it; England fans gets lost in a wayward, but passionate, hysteria that usual ends in heartbreak. England’s best performance in 2006 was arguably the quarter final defeat to Portugal on penalties, especically after Wayne Rooney had been sent off for a stamping on Ricardo Carvalho. England have always been associated with grit and determination, however with Capello at the helm England look a much more organised unit, that can incorporate a decent passing game. England’s association with the long ball game lasted far longer than it should have done, with many fans still demanding a more direct approach with a ‘little and large’ combination of forwards. Although Capello admires the contribution of Emile Heskey, the strong Aston Villa forward, that has only notched up seven goals in fifty eight caps, the Italian will surely go with Wayne Rooney as the lone forward with Steven Gerrard just operating off him. Who are we to question Fabio Capello, the man that has won league titles with AC Milan, Real Madrid (on two separate occasions), Roma (only the second in their history) and Juventus.
The key: Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney has had a wonderful season at Manchester United this season, notching up 34 goals in all competitions. His main attribute has been one of the biggest talking points over the years – versatility. Rooney is built in the mold of a cross between the twinkle toes and upper body strength of Paul Gascoigne and the power of Alan Shearer. There is always a great debate as to where Rooney’s best position in. Is he better operating from deep, or possibly an out an out striker or even as a wide forward drifting inside but not neglecting his defensive duties for on rushing full backs. Personally, I think he is at his best as a lone forward, but given license to roam the field. His should be encouraged to use his versatility but whilst operating as the furthest man forward. If Rooney drops the centre halves have a problem.
Do they (a) follow him or (b) leave him free/pass him on? There is no doubt that Manchester United would prefer the defenders to push up and squeeze the space, which allows space for Valencia, Nani and when on his game Anderson to drive forward past Rooney. His athleticism allows England’s number 10 to burst forward and rejoin play, against a disorientated back line. The excellent Jonathan Wilson and the quite brilliant Zonal Marking have discussed this position previously, coining the phrase ‘false nine’ – a player who is not an ‘out-and-out striker’ playing as a lone forward. Rooney is one of the most complete forwards in European football and can adapt to either push high up the shoulder of the defender or as explained, dropping deep to allow space in behind for others to gallop into. Steven Gerrard will no doubt aim to exploit this space as he does when playing behind Fernando Torres at Liverpool.
