The Rooney Dilemma - Which Strikers Should Travel to Euro 2012?
With Wayne Rooney’s three match suspension all but set in stone, there’s a lot of talk about Fabio Capello’s choice of strikers for the 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine next year. We go through the contenders...
With Wayne Rooneys three match suspension all but set in stone, theres a lot of talk about Fabio Capellos choice of strikers for the 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine next year. Naturally, the more intelligent among us know that come the 21st of December of 2012 the world will end, so it would really be a feather in Englands cap to bring the trophy home. With so much time until the Euros start, theres plenty of time for the England manager to choose his team, but with no more competitive fixtures there must only be a few forwards that hes considering. With a possible 23 players at his disposal its likely hell bring four strikers. I believe hell want at least one target man to resort to when England are on the back foot and need an outlet, or to hold up play when they need to see out a narrow win. Hell also need a poacher someone who can get a goal out of nowhere by latching onto a loose ball or to make an impact from the bench. The other two could be anyone, should Wayne Rooney go? According to a poll on the Guardian website, 51.4% said he shouldnt. So, in no particular order... Andy CarrollAge: 23 (come the Euros) Int. Caps: 3 Int. Goals: 1 Why should he go? A bit of blue paint and Carroll wouldnt look out of place in James Camerons Avatar. Hes physically strong and for me his only aerial competitor in the Premier League is Stokes Kenwyne Jones. So many question marks surround his £35 million price tag, and although of course he isnt worth that much, he will hold it up, win headers and create chances, as well as putting away a few of his own. Why shouldnt he go? Hes prone to a bust-up and his attitude is questionable. He also doesnt score in abundance, having only three goals to his name at Liverpool, and his international experience begs the question as to whether his link up play will be as effective with players that he isnt used to playing with. The verdict: Id like to see Carroll at the Euros because hes so difficult to play against. He can act as an outlet when England are on the back foot, or when the likes of Spain and Germany are playing such good football they need to get it out of their half for a bit. For me, he travels, for Capello he might. Daniel Sturridge
Age: 22 Int. Caps: 0 Int. Goals: 0 (surprisingly) Why should he go? 8 goals in 12 games for Bolton last season and 4 in 5 for Chelsea so far the young striker knows where the net is. What he also offers is a bit of flair which is lacking somewhat in the other candidates. They have been given their chances and England still underachieve why not give Sturridge the opportunity? Hes also operating as a winger at the moment which means he can slot into a 4-3-3 formation. Why shouldnt he go? Because hes unproven at full international level and has played a comparatively small amount in the Premier League. Hes therefore something of an enigma we have no idea how hell cope at such an important tournament. The verdict: Capellos been sniffing around Sturridge for some time. Hes certainly inexperienced, but look how impressive Germany looked when they took a bunch of youngsters to the 2010 World Cup. I doubt hell go, but as there are no serious implications for me as a lowly blog writer if he isnt up to it Ill include him in my 23. He gives something a little different than simply bringing Defoe and Bent along. Danny WelbeckAge: 21 (come the Euros) Int. Caps: 2 Int. Goals: 0 Why should he go? Welbeck has hunger, pace and finishing. Only 20 at the moment, he has a lot to prove and is going the right way about it - having already scored 3 in 7 this season. As I said before, theres no doubt England need revitalising, and young sparky players like Welbeck are the way to do it. Like Sturridge hes been known to play on the wing and often did so during his successful loan spell at Sunderland. Why shouldnt he go? Another inexperienced one is it really worth the risk for someone who isnt likely to add that much more than what Defoe or Bent have to offer? Yes, England need a shot in the arm, but it's too late in the day to start completely changing the squad, that'll have to wait till after the Euros. The verdict: One for the future I dont think Welbeck will be on the plane, nor do I think he should, but in a couple of years hell be right in the mix. Gabriel Agbonlahor
Age: 25 Int. Caps: 3 Int. Goals: 0 Why should he go? Last season he wouldnt even be considered, but Agbonlahor has started this season with a bang scoring 4 in 7 for Aston Villa and looking like a one man team at times. What he brings to the table is pace. Yes, Defoe, Sturridge and Welbeck are quick, but Gabby is ridiculously quick. Why shouldnt he go? Only 3 international caps and no goals. Hes started this season very well but who knows how hell be doing come the Euros? Luckily Capello has the chance to wait and see. Itll have to be a spectacular season to put him on that plane though as he lacks the experience of Defoe and the goals of Bent. The verdict: It could well be the case that when England are trailing well all be wishing Agbonlahor was on the bench. As it happens though I dont think hell travel. If pace is what Capello needs, then Theo Walcott is forever trying to convince himself and everyone else that hes a striker, and although hes not as strong an all round forward as Agbonlahor is, the Aston Villa striker just doesnt add enough to the team to make him worth taking. Jermain DefoeAge: 29 Int. Caps: 46 Int. Goals: 15 Why should he go? Defoe is perhaps the best suited to the poacher role he is clinical. Yes hes greedy, but his undying graft for personal glory will get him goals. He is a bit of an impact player, having never played a full 90 minutes for England, and his combination of pace and finishing is the perfect weapon when the oppositions legs are getting tired. Why shouldnt he go? Because when England are missing Rooney in the group stages the inclusion of Defoe with his slight frame will probably facilitate the need for a target man or a second striker, whereas there are others who can do a job as a lone front man. Therell be no Rafael van der Vaart to make his chances. This is nit picking though it essentially comes down to whether you want Bent or Defoe or both on the plane. The verdict: I think Defoe deserves his place in the squad. He will undoubtedly get goals which are exactly what you need from this sort of player, and his clinical nature gives him the edge over Darren Bent for me. Peter Crouch
Age: 31 (come the Euros) Int. Caps: 42 Int. Goals: 22 Why should he go? His international goal record speaks for itself. Crouch will score if given the chance, and at 6 ft 7 in he can win his share of headers so the wingers crosses wont go to waste. Why shouldnt he go? Because although hes very big hes not actually that effective as a target man. His heading ability can be poor at times, and hes not strong enough to hold up play if hes up against an effective defence. The cheerful beanpole has been in the England set up for a while but doesnt contribute too much to the way they play and that is exactly what Capello needs to think about doing if he wants to compete with the big boys. The verdict: Crouch may well travel, but I cant help thinking that Andy Carroll might be a better option. Up against the likes of Spain Crouch will struggle, whereas Carrolls strength and aerial ability will make him a handful regardless of whos marking him. Its the goals however that will most likely ensure a place on the plane for the lanky forward. Wayne RooneyAge: 26 Int. Caps: 73 Int. Goals: 28 Why should he go? Hes probably Englands best player and hes certainly their best striker. His international goal record isnt quite as good as you might think but this doesnt tell the whole story. On his day hell terrorise defences, creating and scoring chances as well as haunting the oppositions dreams. There will also be a decided lack of work rate from the front line if he doesnt travel. Why shouldnt he go? In case you hadnt heard Rooney was sent off in his last international game. He jokingly swung a foot at Miodrag Džudovi of Montenegro and the big oaf went down as if hed been viciously kicked in the back of the leg! As if that werent enough, Rooney didnt even verbally or physically attack the referee as he left the field, he should be knighted if anything! In all seriousness though the striker has the temperament of a small child at times. Theres also bound to be some ridiculous drama that keeps him from playing to his full potential. The verdict: I think he has to go. Yes, hell miss the group stages, but if they dont win them with three strikers theyre not going anywhere anyway. England will need Rooney for the later stages no-one else can do what he does. Michael Owen
Age: 32 (come the Euros) Int. Caps: 89 Int. Goals: 40 Why should he go? Well, 40 goals in 89 games isnt bad at all. Hes also been scoring every time he gets on the pitch for Manchester United. He hasn't got the pace he used to but he's matured as a player and his movement is second to none. In addition to this, hes a thoroughly nice chap and is unlikely to kick the back of anyones chair on the flight over. Why shouldnt he go? Because his goals recently have been against the likes of Aldershot. Owen can still score plenty, but its been so long since hes appeared on the international scene, and he doesnt get enough games at club level. In all honesty hed probably injure himself in the process of running to the phone when it emits his special ring tone assigned only to calls from Capello. The verdict: It has to be a no from me. Owen doesnt play enough games so is something of an unknown quantity these days, and with one striker missing for three games the injury prone hitman is a further risk. Darren Bent
Age: 28 (come the Euros) Int. Caps: 11 Int. Goals: 4 Why should he go? Because he is so capable of scoring goals. With a career total of 142 goals in 332 games Bent would be a dead cert in most international teams. His England call ups have been somewhat limited, but with a goal in his last run out he looks like he may well be Capellos preferred choice in the Defoe/Bent toss-up. Why shouldnt he go? He probably deserves to, the only question for me (if you hadnt realised already) is that Defoe might be the safer option with more experience and a relatively similar strike rate. Bent can occasionally miss a sitter too, which isnt what you want when your chances are going to be limited as it is. The verdict: If Capello wants to take Bent I dont think Defoe should travel. Out of the two Id take the latter simply for experience sake hes been there before. The downside to that is that England have always lost before, but they dont look too different a side with Bent up top either. Bobby Zamora:Age: 31 (come the Euros) Int. Caps: 1 Int. Goals: 0 Why should he go? Not many would put Zamora in their 23 man squad. I do have a soft spot for the big man though as he works so hard and produces so much. Hes also very good in the air. His career has been a tad topsy-turvy, but what he contributes to Fulhams team is nothing short of remarkable, and his goal record has improved dramatically over the past couple of seasons. Why shouldnt he go? He doesnt score enough. The song When youre sat in row Z and the ball hits your head thats Zamorrraaaaaa, isnt sung without reason. Hes also too old to be so inexperienced at international level and has had problems with injuries recently. The verdict: He would certainly add a lot to the England team but hes unlikely to travel. Competing against the goals of Peter Crouch and Andy Carrolls aerial threat he comes up a little short, so it has to be a no from me. Jay Bothroyd
Age: 30 (come the Euros) Int. Caps: 1 Int. Goals: 0 Why should he go? Because a designer virus has been released in England the day before the Euros that only affects strikers. UEFA are only allowing England one emergency unregistered striker and Bothroyd and Carlton Cole are the only ones unharmed as the bug didnt recognise them as forwards at all. He also had a good spell with Cardiff City in the Championship and can score with his head or his feet. Why shouldnt he go? Because the Premiership already looks too much for him he has none in 7 so far, and he has hardly any international experience. He can be lethargic at times and doesnt bring anything extra to the table that isnt already provided by Zamora, Crouch or Carroll. The verdict: In short, I dont know why he would go. Bothroyd seems to get by on the back of a few good seasons in the Championship, so itd be extremely unfair on whoever he displaced if he were to travel. So there we have it. This is however based on the assumption four strikers are chosen. With Rooney injured Capello may have to risk bringing one less midfielder, defender or even goalkeeper. My choices would be Rooney, Defoe (or Bent), Carroll and Sturridge (I know the latter wont happen but hey). If I were to guess Capellos choices Id go for Rooney, Bent, Crouch and Defoe, but its difficult to choose. After all, who would have thought Walcott would be in Svens 2006 squad? No doubt the former Leicester boss will be trying to convince Capello to bring Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain along for the ride...