Lescott overlooked...

[neonleon]

Looks like McClaren has failed to convince Carragher to step back into the England set up. so who has our inspirational england manager targeted as a replacement?

Sol Campbell. Now, no offense to Sol, he is a good player and proved himself again last year. But surely after the season Lescott had, he deserves a call up. Real Madrid weren't sniffing round Sol were they? Can replace Carragher in the centre of defence or at left back.

He's young and represents the future of England at the position. Furthermore he is hungry and willing to fight for a place. What exactly does McClaren see in Sol Campbell that Lescott doesn't have?

King and Woodgate are often injured. Terry is getting that way. Ferdinand is prone to slips. Carragher wants to retire.

I don't normally want to see everton players play for England as it increases the chances of them being bought, injured etc. But in this instance he deserves it.

Sick of dumb coaches picking players from glamorous teams (ok not portsmouth) and avoiding better players in other clubs.

How Arteta hasn't got a game yet for the Spanish side is beyond every bit of footy knowledge I have.

What does he have to be able to do?

fly?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

He's picked Campbell because he used to play for Arsenal. Had he spent his entire career at Pompey he wouldn't get a look in.

 

[Blue Wiz]

Agree with Bruce on this one. If he have played for a big club he must be good so therefore he get the place in the national team.

Arteta is in a similar situation, but with the additional problem that spain has a strong midfield and he has a tough time getting a slot there.

 

[chicoazul]

One of the reasons why I dont follow England.

[Poor language removed] em, at least he wont be getting injured playing internationally and missing club games because of it. Carragher should have had more caps too.

 

[BlueWool]

[Poor language removed] that bunch of losers. They'll just ruin his reputation as a top-class CH.

 

[SuitsBlue]

everton overlooked, sven took walcott to germany. mclaren played AJ left wing.

campbell does have experience, that i will grant him, but the manner in which he left arsenal (awol and 'rumours' about his personal life) coupled with his distinct lack of pace means there was only really one option.

you watch and see if saint JC has a last moment change of heart.

 

[Keith_Shabs12345]

To be honest, whilst Lescott is very good, he shouldn't be getting the call-up just yet. Dawson,King,Woodgate, even Brown, aswell as Ferdinand are all better defenders than him at the minute. I doubt the Real Madrid rumours were even genuine, there weren't any genuine quotes,or anything concrete, was probably just hearsay.

I dont blame Mclaren going back to the likes of Carragher or Campbell because they are brilliant defenders who have competed at the highest level at club level and internationally.

And in Terrys absence its those kind of seasoned players that will provide much needed experience. But you are right, he, Dawson and Curtis Davies are the future of England CBs. He is an amazingly talented young defender who i have no doubt will make a top England defender one day but he's not there just yet.

As for Arteta. Again its a case of him not playing at the highest level and not having that experience, when those who he is competing with are playing at the highest level, he no doubt has the ability, but unless Everton reach that level in the next couple of years then he might have to consider taking a step up if he values his International career higher than his club.

Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Fabregas, Iniesta, Silva, Joaquin, Albelda and now probably Luis Garcia are ahead of him in the pack. (i say Garcia because he has just joined Atletico who believe me are going places and he is in his own country, and the Spanish would probably prefer those in La Liga to those playing abroad.) And thats without mentioning the likes of Puerta and Angulo.

But like i always say, i don't mind if the national team don't pick our players, as it doesnt affect Everton, i couldnt give a monkeys about the Spanish national side but Arteta does, same thing with Lescott and England, its their individual values of representing their country and how high they value it.

 

[Blue Wiz]

As so many others.. I'm actually quite happy for our sake that he isn't picked. It will give him time to rest and practise with the team instead of playing more competitive matches, during a year when we'll have more matches to play anyway.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

Excellent point WIZ. Look what happend to Timmie.

 

[TX Bill]

As so many others.. I'm actually quite happy for our sake that he isn't picked. It will give him time to rest and practise with the team instead of playing more competitive matches, during a year when we'll have more matches to play anyway.

Spot on. That was my first thought as well. Although I always want to see Everton represented in various national teams, I'd rather our players stay healthy for their first team.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

As others have said I couldn't really care less about England these days. The team is ragged and lacking in direction. Leave them to it.

 

[neonleon]

I think everyone is overlooking the fact that our players want to play for their countries. This is why Moyes pushes for their call ups.

Everton would be less desirable if it offered less international prospects - which compared to the big four, it does.

We need to provide, as a club, a package to players - a good manager, a platform to improve as a player, european football and the prospect of international recognition.

Especially if we are finding it difficult to compete with the increasingly desperate and stupid wages paid out by [Poor language removed] like Newcastle.

 

[Blue Wiz]

I understand if our players want to play for their country. It's an honor to do so after all, so if they get the chance I'm happy for them. I just pointed out that I personally prefer them not playing in all the friendlies or being picked into a squad and just sitting there on a bench, when they could spend that time recovering, recuperating and training with the team.

 

[Cal]

If he doesnt play for the top 4 then he doesnt play.

It's more or less what our national team is about, and also another major factor is that Mclaren is an absolute gobshite.

 

[Blue Wiz]

If he doesnt play for the top 4 then he doesnt play.

It's more or less what our national team is about, and also another major factor is that Mclaren is an absolute gobshite.

Have not followed the english national team that much lately, but what I've seen earlier is that most managers biggest problem is that they pretty much take the same players that the previous coach did. And they constantly stick their personal favourites into the first 11 instead of hungrier players that are itching for the chance to prove themselves.