ENGLAND coach Fabio Capello has decided against using players who were involved in the FA Cup final in Monday’s World Cup warm-up game against Mexico at Wembley Stadium.
It seems an odd decision from the manager, considering Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Portsmouth came nine days ago at the same stadium. However, if he is intending to use all of his players over this friendly and next Sunday’s against Japan, then leaving out those who have played most recently does make sense.
John Terry, Frank Lampard, plus Ashley and Joe Cole and Portsmouth’s David James, will play no part against Mexico after linking up with the England squad last Wednesday, two days later than the other 25 named.
It will surely mean that Adam Johnson will at some point make his full England debut - triggering a £1 million payment from Manchester City to Middlesbrough as part of the deal which saw him move to Eastlands in January - as he looks to force his way into the final 23 in what seems to be a straight fight between with Joe Cole.
“The Chelsea players and David James will not play against Mexico,” confirmed Capello. “I needed them to train and stay with us. I also needed to check their physical situation so these five players won’t play.”
Joe Hart will get his chance to stake a claim for the number one jersey and will play 45 minutes against Mexico.
“I have confidence in Joe Hart,” said Capello. “He will play 45 minutes against Mexico because it is important for him to play at Wembley. He did play in Trinidad and Tobago but the pressure at Wembley is really big.
“Hart has played a lot of games this season and has improved a lot. It is very equal between the keepers and they are all starting in the same position.”
Spurs centre-back Michael Dawson may also make his debut, while Jamie Carragher and Ledley King will probably be asked to make their first England appearances since Capello replaced Steve McClaren in December 2007.
King, whose chronic knee problems have not prevented him training at England’s mountain retreat, may be deployed in a holding role to anchor a five-man midfield as Capello searches for answers should Gareth Barry, who faces another medical examination on Monday, not make the finals.
Another strategy currently taking shape in Capello’s mind involves the use of Wayne Rooney as a lone striker, just as he was used at Manchester United for the bulk of last season.
“I will experiment against Mexico,” said Capello. “It is important to see how some of these perform on the pitch.
“In my mind I more or less know the names of the 23 players who will be with me in South Africa. But we have to wait because you never know whether someone gets injured.”
Capello added: “I want flexibility in my players. My style with England has always been 4-4-2, or 4-3-1-2 with Steven Gerrard free behind the two forwards. But with Roma I played with three centre backs and we have been practising that.
“I have to study the opponents but we can play different styles and we have to prepare for everything. You never know when you will get an injury, or find yourself 10 against 11. Sometimes I have changed the style four or five times in a game, so it is important that we have a lot of options.”
Mexico meet South Africa in the opening game of the World Cup at Soccer City in Johannesburg. Arsenal and Mexico striker Carlos Vela believes the Wembley atmosphere can give his side an indication of what to expect when they play the curtain raiser on June 11.
Vela said: “The environment is incredible, the people live every game passionately, and it will be a difficult situation to have the public against us. It will serve as preparation for facing South Africa as hosts.
“It will be a very important game as England are one of the strongest teams of the moment. It is an important test for both teams, because they also have to play against a great team in Mexico.
“We must seize the opportunity and the time trying to make a good game.”
Mexico suffered a delay to their journey to England after trouble with their chartered flight.
A bird had crashed into an engine of the plane due to carry the team to London, causing damage and requiring the airline to make checks on the aircraft which led to a delay.
Mexico have been preparing for the World Cup finals at a training base in Germany, and were due to fly out of Nuremberg before training in London on Sunday afternoon.
That training session was cancelled as the team awaited news of when they could make the trip, and they eventually arrived in London at around 9pm on Sunday.
Soccernet
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