Features

Who's England's number one?

Author: Rose Young
Date: 19/11/2009
Football betting

Ben Foster's starting appearance against Brazil in Qatar last weekend raised a few eyebrows as coach Fabio Capello made a number of changes to his starting line-up.

The Manchester United keeper continues to be an understudy to Edwin van der Sar at his club and he isn't necessarily a natural replacement for the giant Dutch custodian.

Poland's Tomasz Kuszczak is providing a challenge for Foster, who has recently admitted to being frustrated with his limited chances at the Old Trafford giants as he looks to cement his World Cup squad chances.

Capello has major problems ahead of him with regard to choosing his number one man and it is difficult to judge who he fancies in the role.

Robert Green has featured heavily in recent squads but he is playing in a struggling West Ham United side and, although his confidence doesn't appear to be sapping, his unfortunate dismissal in Ukraine in September restricted his chance to shine when given a rare start by the Italian boss.

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David James, who has started the majority of internationals during Capello's tenure, has recently been warned that he needs to prove his fitness if he wants to make the plane for the finals.

The 39-year-old Portsmouth man needs a two-day recovery period after each game he plays and Capello is not happy with this scenario.

His other options currently include youngster Joe Hart, Chris Kirkland, Scott Carson and Paul Robinson, but this makes for bleak reading.

Hart, contracted to Manchester City but on-loan with Birmingham City, lacks presence and the experience to be considered a realistic prospect ahead of the the show-piece event next summer.

Although he is continuing his progression at an acceptable rate, it is unlikely Capello would take him as his number one option.

Many believed that Chris Kirkland would be a long-term successor to David Seaman between the sticks but a series of unfortunate injuries have limited his time with the England set-up.

He is looking in fine nick for Wigan in the Premier League this season but needs to remain injury-free if he is to be considered.

Scott Carson, who made his debut during the fateful 3-2 European Championships qualifying defeat to Croatia back in November 2007, has simply drifted out of contention completely in recent times.

Plying his trade with Championship side West Bromwich Albion, Carson is unlikely to be in the reckoning for a berth next year.

Blackburn Rovers gloveman Paul Robinson should surely make the squad.

He endured a terrible loss of form when at Tottenham Hotspur which ultimately culminated with the loss of his place in the national side and he made the move to the Lancashire outfit to rejuvenate his career in July 2008.

It seems to have done the trick, but whether Capello will install him into his set-up remains to be seen.

England's goalkeeping situation remains to be a huge problem and it is difficult to see where a solution may come from.

Italy can call on Gianluigi Buffon, sportsbook favourites Brazil have Julio Cesar and Doni, Russia boast Igor Akinfeev and Spain take pride in Iker Casillas.

These top-end goalkeepers have demonstrated on domestic, continental and world stages that they can ultimately prove to be the difference between their teams winning and losing - and it is something that England clearly lack at present.

It is now time for Capello and his aides to unearth a gem or put their faith in one of the aforementioned ahead of the finals next summer if they are to have realistic ambitions of picking up the coveted prize that has eluded the nation since 1966.

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