Choose Your England XI

posted: 5 February 2008 by Jim Butler

England play their first match under new manager Fabio Capello tomorrow evening. While Capello's squad didn't contain too many shocks - the omission of David Beckham notwithstanding - no-one's too sure of what the Italian's starting 11 will be.

For the sake of debate and because, well, you know, opinions are like arseholes - everyone's got one, boom, boom - here's who we would go with...

Goalkeeper: David James
Since the retirement of David Seaman, the goalkeeper's jersey has been something of a hot potato, regularly going to the likes of David James, Paul Robinson etc because the alternatives have been too gruesome to bear. With Ben Foster still injured, Robert Green discarded and Joe Hart in the Under 21s, old Calamity James gets it by default. Once more.

Right back: Micah Richards
A no-brainer. With Gary Neville still absent, Man City's man mountain walks into the team. If, and it's a big if, Red Nev returns though, John Terry can start to get worried. Richards' form at centre back in a surprisingly good City team has been imperious.

Left back: Ashley Cole
Love rat Ashley might be the most unpopular footballer in the UK - and, let's face it, he's up against some pretty strong competition - but he's still the best left back in the country. If he can recapture his form of a couple of years ago, maybe we'll be able to forgive his money-grabbing, pants-dropping ways.

Centre back: Rio Ferdinand
Why it should be that England are blessed with an abundance of centre halves at present is unclear. What isn't is that Rio is the best of the lot. Currently enjoying his best ever season at club level, he's managed to cut out his annoying lapses in concentration to fulfil the potential he so memorably displayed at the 2002 World Cup.

Centre back: Joleon Lescott
Forget his shaky performances against Russia and Croatia, this lad is the real deal. Capello has promised to pick players based upon form, not reputation, and Lescott is currently Ferdinand's nearest challenger for the title of the best centre back in the Premier League. Likely to pop up with a goal or two, too.

Defensive midfield: Owen Hargreaves
Capello virtually invented the modern defensive midfielder in Marcel Desailly and Owen Hargreaves is the best Canadian-born, German-taught, England-qualified water carrier in the business.

Midfield: Gareth Barry
If we can applaud Second Choice Stevie for anything it's for rediscovering the Aston Villa captain after years spent in the international wilderness under Sven-Göran Eriksson. Comfortable going forward and in a withdrawn defensive role, he also has the advantage of being naturally left-footed. And in the English game that's rarer than hen's teeth.

Midfield: Steven Gerrard
The absence of injured Frank Lampard has spared Capello the tiresome debate of whether he and Gerrard can appear together in an England team. The appearance of both Barry and Hargreaves should give Gerrard the confidence, and the licence, to roam for his country like he does for Liverpool.

Right wing: David Bentley
The former failed Arsenal starlet might have a gob the size of the Blackwall Tunnel, but pleasingly, he has the skills to pay the bills. Can beat a man for pace and skill and his crossing is improving all the time. Nothing will faze him. Not even the prospect of keeping housewives' favourite David Beckham out the team.

Left wing: Ashley Young
Undoubtedly the find of the season, Ashley Young resembles an old-fashioned winger in the mould of Tom Finney or Stanley Matthews. Deceptively strong, with blistering pace, he edges out Joe Cole because of his ability to beat a man without having to cut inside.

Centre forward: Wayne Rooney
Now is the time for Rooney to assume the mantle of England's best player. The undoubted talent of his generation, Rooney needs to dominate matches like Ronaldinho, Kaka and Zidane have in the recent past. Has the ego to do it. Just needs to stay fit.

Jim Butler - In 1996 Jim thought all his Christmases had come at once when Eric Cantona called him ‘mate’. Ten years later he met four-fifths of Girls Aloud. He still can’t decide which event excites him more. In the meantime he whiles away the working day writing and devising content for Channel 4’s mobile portal.