Capello's England

Join the Sky Sports debate on Fabio Capello's first England squad

Last updated: 1st February 2008

Gabriel Agbonlahor

Agbonlahor: Stepping up to seniors

Fabio Capello has sprung a few surprises in naming his first England squad ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Switzerland at Wembley.

David Beckham's omission will steal the headlines, but what of some noticeable inclusions?

Curtis Davies gets the nod despite having made just eight Premier League appearances this season, while Villa team-mate Gabriel Agbonlahor's inclusion will raise the odd eyebrow.

Paul Robinson's miserable season shows no sign of getting better as he is left out, while Spurs' misfit strike duo Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent have not made the cut either.

Who should have been included but were left on the sidelines?

And which players are lucky to be in the Italian's thoughts?

Have your say by filling in the feedback form below...

Comments

Rob Clarke (Gillingham fan) says...

I'm still amazed at the people here who think Beckham should have been included. The arguments for his case that I 've see are ridiculous: "Give him his 100th cap" Why? Just because 100 is a nice round number and he's played well for England in the past? "He was the only player who showed any commitment in our last game." And when was that? November I believe. How much football has he played since then and how well has he played? "Let him play, it's only a friendly and it doesn't matter" This is the worst comment ever. This game is a chance for Capello to try out his new team and tactics, it is not the "Beckham 100" show. Yes the result doesn't really matter but the performance does! Our new manager is only trying to think objectively, surely us fans can understand that!

Posted 13:01 6th February 2008

Terry Arbuthnot (Queens Park Rangers fan) says...

Looking at the New England away strip. it's looks dowdy, dull, and won't enspire anyone. As an ex soccer manager its the sort of kit that I'd leave right at the bottom of the kit bag as a third choice just in case it might be needed one day in the distant future. Not something to inspire any International Football team to win away from home.

Posted 14:54 4th February 2008

Mike Watson says...

New manager! But same old players in the squad again...Same players who failed to get us to the euro finals..Should be a new team with young players..sack the failures and play under 21s let them take us to world cup glory...Let then get the full team caps and experience not the over paid failed posers who will only let down the england fans yet again!

Posted 08:34 4th February 2008

Dave Michaels (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I will keep my comments very brief and to the point. First of all I have to say that from my point of view, the first thing we have to remember is that Capello is surely building the team for the future, and not some silly friendly against the minnows from Switzerland. Therefore only the best contenders should be considered for inclusion. That obviously leaves out David Beckham, who is now over-aged and not for the future. shame he missed out on the 100, but I would dearly have loved to play 99 times for my country. That also leaves out the old man of the team, David James. I am a devoted Spurs fan of over 60 years, but have to tell the truth and say that Robert Green is the best English goallie in the Premiership without a doubt, and should be England's No 1 now that Paul Robinson is out of contention. The rest of the team is debatable from different opinions but these are my main points. Build for the future.

Posted 01:58 4th February 2008

Celvin Whitworth (Manchester City fan) says...

I am sick and tired of hearing people complain about David Beckham not getting his 100th cap! I'm glad he wasn't selected it proves Capello wont pick players on merit.If you want to see England do well then let the manager do his job. A player who has played well in the past but not at present is no good. I believe his current selection will bring the best out the players who still want to get into the squad! Enough said,what happens next will speak for itself!

Posted 21:26 1st February 2008

Pete Metcalfe says...

People talk about England not having comitment, David Beckham was the ONLY player in the last game who showed any! Yes he has quality but above all else, he wears that shirt with pride. Who was the midfielder tackling back? Who was the one forard player wanting the ball in progressive positions? Yes he has reached his peak, but he still wants it, he can do it so let him play. He deserves it.

Posted 19:33 1st February 2008

Red utd Gazza (Manchester United fan) says...

I admire Beckham's ability but support Capello's position. Friendly or not the selection into the national team must be based on merit and not celeb status. He has sent a clear message of intent to all players that if you play well and regulary, you have chance. Hopefully, now these prima dona's we start to see an Engaland selection as an honour rather than a celebrity club.

Posted 17:05 1st February 2008

Andrew Dickinson (Aston Villa fan) says...

It is outrageous that Beckham has not been given his 100 caps. he alone got us to the last world cup, imagine what that would have been like, England out of 2 major tournaments? Its a friendly against a second rate team. Will there be a better opportunity? All it took was 10-15mins at the end of the game, and a "Thankyou Mr Beckham, but now your time may be up". On a positive note, it is immense of the amount of Villa players in the squad, half f them may be dropped for the final squad, but it is a great experience for the lads because they will be training with the best players in the country. Finally, just the one more moan. Martin O'Neill is obviously a great manager, but why on Earth have we brought another midfielder in? Its the one department were we do have strength, I dont no if anybody has noticed but we have not had a right back this season? There is one thing that is sticking out in my memory. David Oleary with the purchase of the great Eric Djemba Djemba. This was also a panic buy at the end of the January transfer window for pretty much the same price. I am really hoping that the season does not go that way.

Posted 17:01 1st February 2008

Andrew Salmons (Manchester United fan) says...

I can't believe Beckham hasn't been included. Yes he isn't going to be fit, but its a friendly, and he has at least trained with Arsenal to gain fitness so he could play. What a waste that was. May as well taken another holiday! Owen and Heskey have hardly played that much football either! I think its a real slap in the face to not reward Beckham who has done so much for English football over the years! He has been the most consistent player for years, certainly he was during the final qualifiers. Not to be included for a friendly is wrong. Does it really matter if we don't win. Looking at the rest of the squad, we aren't likely to win. Curtis Davies! He'll probably be another who wins 1 cap n never seen again! Can't imagine he'll ever get in when the others are fit. Can't believe Green isn't in, or Phil Neville. Forwards look pretty poor. Why no place for Ashton. I applaud the inclusion of Young though. He looks to be a real talent.

Posted 11:42 1st February 2008

Chief Chompy (Brighton and Hove Albion fan) says...

30 down to 23 eh? Capello has named 3 GK, 12 Defenders, 10 Middies and 5 Strikers. That leads me to think that of the new faces, the only ones likely to get to the 23 are Kirkland and Agbonlahor which is a shame. I was hoping that having a new manager, who is not diseased by the Premiership and pundit views like Second Choice was, would lead to a clean slate for all players. If you are in good form or are known for consistent performances at club/country level, you are in. So why is Owen there? Cut the number of full backs, centre mids and Owen, and consider some other contenders - Ashton, Kitson, Davies to think of a few strikers offering something a bit different?

Posted 11:28 1st February 2008

Adam butler (Aston Villa fan) says...

I agree that Robert Green should have been selected. He is having a fantastic season at is probably Englands most in-form 'keeper, along with David James. I also agree with the inclusion of Gabbi Agbonlahor, who is a very special player for the future. Whether it is too soon for him I'm not sure, but with Bent, Defoe and Crouch struggling to get into their club sides and Owen desperately out of form, can anyone blame Capello? No one should get into the England side on merit and Agbonlahor has been playing very well. I also think him and Rooney are the strike force of this England team for the next decade. People also forget that he could very easily have played for Nigeria, so it is important he gets a cap a.s.a.p..

Posted 11:25 1st February 2008

Lwazi Stuurman says...

I think fans must respect decisions taken by the England manager. Capello would've received flack for calling-up Becks, anyway. The best idea is to put the interests of the National before those of individuals. Its important to give the young lads a chance and space to make mistakes in such friendly games. Its all about pressure as England manager so there's definitely no time to dish out favours.

Posted 10:52 1st February 2008

John Miles (West Ham United fan) says...

Is Capello Steve McClaren in disguise? I agree with no Beckham at the moment. He hasn't played competitive football for a while. There are several inclusions that you have to question; Chris Kirkland? Wayne Bridge? Ashley Cole? Wes Brown? Michael Owen? Peter Crouch? Emile Heskey? What has Capello been watching since he took over? Old games on tape judging by some of these selections! It's supposed to be a fresh start for crying out loud. A nothing friendly. So why not introduce new players? Oh he has. Good. Why not try something different and try using new players who are playing well at club level? Wow, there's a novelty for an England manager. It hasn't happened and he's just taking a big fat wedge an giving us the same crap. If Robert Green is one of the top performing keepers in the Premiership, why isn't he in the squad at least? Same old faces. Although I am surprised that Phil Neville isn't there. I thought the Neville Brothers were always picked if fit because it's their birthright! Not impressed Mr Capello!

Posted 10:45 1st February 2008

Phil Pigeon says...

I think that robert green should be England's 1st keeper. He is a great player all round, and makes less embarrassing mistakes than robbo and dodgey david. I think thatt capello shold give him a decent shot at it anyway!!!

Posted 10:43 1st February 2008

Lee Walters (Arsenal fan) says...

I Fully agree with Capello's non-inclusion of Beckham. The guy hasn't played competitive football for a while, & it also sends out the message that he will not let sentiment stand in his way when it comes to selecting players for international duty. That said...Robert Green omission from the squad is intruiging,because most people would rate him & James as the country's two best keepers on form at the moment. Perhaps Green's griping about Mclaren in his newspaper column played a part (Although so did James). It's been hinted that if not needed for the U-21's,Joe Hart would have been included,which would then place Green as the current England No.5 (If Hart were to replace Kirkland). & Then Robinson as Number six!!!! It would appear that there is some sort of conspiracy against Green,because currently,he's in the form of his life,& has probably been West Ham's best player this season & the second half of last season!

Posted 10:41 1st February 2008

Kevin Gillespie says...

I love all the armchair managers given their view....why should Beckham get his 100th cap? What has he done over the past 2 months to influence Capello to pick him? That's right, some model shoots, some film premieres and a holiday in Brazil.....yes you're right, better get him in the squad. Has anybody seen the way Ashley Young or David Bentley deliver a football? I have and its one of the reasons why Aston Villa are flying high! Also, Capello has been living and breathing football all his life and been succesfull. Why are we all having our say on the squad before his first game, talk about pressure! Lets start commenting on his squad selection after a few games shall we....

Posted 10:41 1st February 2008

Martin Russell (Aston Villa fan) says...

As a Villa fan and Season Ticket holder I am very excited about the number of Villa players named in the England squad. But as an England fan I am not sure that Gabby Agbonlahor is ready for the senior squad. He still has a lot to learn and his education would be improved by staying with the Under 21's a bit longer possibly along with Ashley Young. International football is very different from the Premiership hence one of the reasons we didn't qualify for Euro 2008. There is a new "golden" batch of footballers coming through lets not ruin them as well.

Posted 10:36 1st February 2008

Phil Carvell (Aston Villa fan) says...

I think it goes to show that you can invest in English players and be successful, look at Villa's league position. We probably field the most English players in a starting 11 in the top half of the Prem. Hopefully, it will give Reo-Coker a kick up the backside as well, to play even better than he has already. C'MON VILLA

Posted 10:35 1st February 2008

Danny Singham (Aston Villa fan) says...

It is nice to see fresh players named in the squad, and the likes of Curtis Davies have surprised all, however, do you know also think it is a surprise that people like Heskey, Owen and Crouch are all in the sqaud? we have seen what they can do and friendlies are important to give people a chance.I am happy with all the new faces but I think we could have had better call ups for our strickers such as Bent, Jones etc. However, even though he has named many new faces, lets see what his final 24 is like and more importantly, lets see what his first 11 will be, if it consists of the usual players- then English fans shouldnt get too excited- it could be the same old story!

Posted 10:35 1st February 2008

Rob Turnbull (Queen's Park fan) says...

Beckham made his choice last year when he went to LA instead of playing in Europe. He wants to mix with the Hollywood set and can't have it both ways. Capello wants committed footballers not people obsessed with their image.

Posted 10:33 1st February 2008

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