A quick post to let you know what squad McClaren has picked for England’s friendly against Greece on August 16:
The squad has a clear focus on building a deep and varied team for Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010.
Notable omissions: David Beckham (dumped), Sol Campbell (dumped), Kevin Nolan (still not picked), David James (dumped), Scott Parker (still not picked).
Notable picks: Wes Brown, Phil Neville, Richardson, Wright-Phillips, Dean Ashton.
Wayne Rooney (red card), Michael Owen (injury), Joe Cole (injury) and Ledley King (injury) were not considered, so several of the fringe players will be dropping in and out in the next four years.
England Squad
Keepers
Robinson (Tottenham)
Kirkland (Liverpool)
Foster (Man Utd)
Defenders
Bridge (Chelsea)
Brown (Man Utd)
Carragher (Liverpool)
A Cole (Arsenal)
Dawson (Tottenham)
Ferdinand (Man Utd)
G Neville (Man Utd)
P Neville (Everton)
Terry (Chelsea)
Young (Charlton)
Midfielders
Downing (Middlesbrough)
Gerrard (Liverpool)
Hargreaves (Bayern Munich)
Jenas (Tottenham)
Lampard (Chelsea)
Lennon (Tottenham)
Richardson (Man Utd)
Wright-Phillips (Chelsea)
Strikers
Ashton (West Ham)
Bent (Charlton)
Crouch (Liverpool)
Defoe (Tottenham)
Tomorrow (or on Sunday) I’ll do a detailed article on what McClaren’s plans are for England, based on his squad picks. I’m really happy to see the United players plus Ashton and Defoe in the squad, but saddened by not seeing Beckham or Nolan.
To be honest, if you are going to dump Beckham, at least give him the proper farewell by letting him play one last time at Old Trafford. And picking Nolan ahead of Richardson is…well, about the only decision I could really fault McClaren on.
What do you think about McClaren’s picks?
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