England Squad - will Fabio gamble?

The time for Capello to name his squad for the World Cup is drawing ever closer, while the Rooneys, Lampards, Gerrards and Ferdinands are deservedly nailed on, there are a couple of places up for grabs. I think Fabio can afford a gamble or two for the competition but the big questions are who will they be and will he make them? Let's have a look at the options for the squad.

Goalkeeper
There's been a lot of talk about Robert Green and whether he's good enough between the sticks in the World Cup. I think he's not. Green's not necessarily a bad keeper and he's had an OK season considering the players in front of him, but I don't think he's a commanding presence between the sticks.
David James is a big presence, he's been around and knows the game and the other players. He's been Portsmouth's best player this season but that's not saying too much. He had a blinder in the semi-final with Tottenham and if he carries that form on I would say he's the favourite for the no.1 shirt. But having a goalkeeper who has been relegated does not do much for England's reputation going into the tournament, however it would do wonders for James' reputation when he looks for a new club afterwards.
My gamble for goalkeeper is Joe Hart. He's had a brilliant season at Birmingham, he's a good shot stopper and confident with crosses, and he puts his two pennies in with the defenders when he needs to. Hart's form has linked him with a move to Arsenal which I would like to see for him to progress. Whether or not he'll play in South Africa is a big doubt. You don't put an untried and untested keeper on the big stage straight away. I would like to see Hart start in goal in the upcoming friendlies.

Defence
Ferdinand's obviously skipper so he's in, Cole's a top left back and provided he's fit he's in. Johnson looks favourite for right back even though I've not been overly-impressed with him, but what else is there? Surely not Gary Neville. Surely. A question for me is John Terry. Forget off the pitch. On it he's had far from an outstanding season even if he could still lift the Premier League trophy and other Englishmen have stood out this season, especially Michael Dawson. The Spurs man has been fantastic, he gets his head everywhere, positions well and makes very few mistakes. Dawson's another one I would like to see get a go in the friendlies, he should be ahead of Lescott - who's rubbish - and Jagielka because he's been injured all season. Dawson's colleague Ledley King has been consistently class, but I don't think he's got the stamina to play a potential seven games in a month with his ongoing knee problem, but word is Capello's watching his fitness and he knows better than I, so watch this space.

Midfield
Lampard and Gerrard have to play together. They are two arguably world class players and although they may not have had the best seasons by their high standards I back them to rise to the occasion. I think Gerrard is best on the left with Lampard playing through the middle and Barry sitting in and my gamble in midfield is Adam Johnson to play as an impact substitute, he's given City a new lease of life since joining. The headache for Fabio is on the right, but it's a good problem to have with Young, Walcott and Lennon all good options but there are question marks over all of them, especially with Lennon's recent injury. I don't know to be honest, but I'm not paid millions to make that decision so let's see the manager earn his money. Battling Scott Parker has staked a claim to be in after carrying West Ham to safety and Carrick picks perfect passes, but I don't agree with talk of playing Owen Hargreaves, he's not played in months.

Up front
Rooney's a given and for me Crouch should play up top with him in a 4-4-2. Crouch's height provides an element teams aren't used to, he can hold balls up for Rooney to run onto and most of all he provides his own goal threat - you can't argue with 20 goals in 37 appearances. My other two for the squad would be Jermain Defoe (although I wouldn't put him on penalties) and Bobby Zamora. Zamora's untested for England but he's in the running for most improved player this season, he works hard, scores goals and has got the aerial presence of a Crouch or Heskey. Heskey's in the running because Rooney likes playing with him but he gives so little else to the cause. I say take a punt on Zamora.

So the big gambles are Hart, Dawson, maybe King, Johnson, Parker and Zamora. Capello's got seven weeks to hedge his bets, let's see what happens.

JT