We are closing in on the World Cup finals for 2010 in South Africa and players are vying for their positions throughout the global leagues. It is likely that a winner of the competition will come from either Europe or South America. No Asian/Oceanic, African or North/Central American team has ever won the World Cup before and this doesn’t look like changing much. The only team from these regions that I can see challenging Europe and South America’s elite is the Ivory Coast or Cote d’Ivoire as they are known locally. I will be focusing my attentions on England however, as I am English and I cannot wait for this tournament. I will break down the England squad into Definitely on the plane, Waiting in the Departure Lounge, and Stuck in traffic on the way to the airport.

Definitely on the Plane:

Goalkeepers: Robert Green, David James

Defenders: Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand (CAPTAIN), John Terry, Ashley Cole, Matthew Upson

Midfielders: Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Aaron Lennon

Strikers: Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch

Waiting in the Departure Lounge:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Ben Foster, Paul Robinson

Defenders: Wes Brown, Jonathan Woodgate, Jolean Lescott, Ledley King, Wayne Bridge, Stephen Warnock

Midfielders: David Beckham, Theo Walcott, Joe Cole, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Scott Parker, Jermaine Jenas, Ashley Young, James Milner, Tom Huddlestone, Stewart Downing

Strikers: Emile Heskey, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Darren Bent

Stuck in traffic on the way to the airport:

Phil Jagielka, Owen Hargreaves, Gary Cahill, David Bentley

Final 23 man Squad:

Goalkeepers: Robert Green, David James, Joe Hart

Defenders: Glen Johnson, Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand (CAPTAIN), John Terry, Ledley King, Matthew Upson, Jolean Lescott, Ashley Cole

Midfielders: David Beckham, Aaron Lennon, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, James Milner

Strikers: Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Gabriel Agbonlahor

Players to miss out and why:

Phil Jagielka – He has been injured all season and is unlikely to make a big impact on his return, not enough to get into the squad.

Owen Hargreaves – Like Jagielka he has been injured for a long time and won’t get enough games for the rest of the season to get in the squad.

Gary Cahill – Was only a maybe anyway, but his recent blood clot has meant that he is no longer an option.

David Bentley – His form has been poor for 18 months and only recently is he showing signs of improvement. He doesn’t offer much different to someone like James Milner who shows more effort for me. If it is a good cross you need, we have Beckham for that.

Emile Heskey – I can see Heskey maybe getting there ahead of his Villa partner Agbonlahor but for me, Agbonlahor’s pace is much more dangerous than the strength of Heskey.

Darren Bent – Good early season form but he is being outscored by Defoe and Rooney recently and Agbonlahor and Crouch offer something different.

Tom Huddlestone – Maybe next time, not enough quality to oust Gerrard, Lampard, Carrick and Barry – yet.

Stewart Downing – Offers a good left foot – but not a lot else. I think our players for the wing will be Beckham, Lennon, Milner and Cole.

Shaun Wright-Phillips – Not getting enough games for City and isn’t favoured by Capello.

Scott Parker – Not really good enough to get in the squad at the moment

Jermaine Jenas – See Scott Parker

Wayne Bridge – Shouldn’t be in the same squad as John Terry for obvious reasons and with Ashley Cole, Jolean Lescott and even Matt Upson being able to play in this position I think we are covered.

Stephen Warnock – Injured recently and not going to get in ahead of Wayne Bridge, who isn’t getting in anyway.

Paul Robinson and Ben Foster – Capello likes David James, Robert Green too and Joe Hart has been phenomenal. No space for these two keepers this time.