England's Euro Squad- Defenders- Part-II- Full Backs

Having already discussed Central defenders last time we now take a look at those who are in contention for the full back spots


Left Back:
Certain

Ashley Cole

Ashley Cole- Having locked his place in the English setup since 2001 the Chelsea and former Arsenal full back is considered by many to be the best left back in the world at the moment, miles ahead of his compatriots. A long standing Real Madrid target Ashley Cole has made the left back position his own, leaving Leighton Baines as his long standing understudy. A quick and speedy player he also has the ability to play higher up in the wings if the situation so demands. A no.1 pick no doubt.

Chances: 10/10







Probables

Leighton Baines

Leighton Baines- Everton's man Friday and a former Wigan player. Leighton Baines is a sure shot to make the second left back's spot given that he has almost no competition. Ever since Wayne Bridge retired from international football and Ashley Cole asserted his first team spot. Good at set pieces and penalties he is a solid back-up to the Euros and will be useful in case Ashley Cole needs to be rested.

 Chances: 8/10

Stephen Warnock

Stephen Warnock- The Villan has been in good form this season performing consistently while his team performs averagely. He has been a part of England's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad too.  Despite representing England for only 26 minutes so far, his good performances see him within a shot of making it to the Euro squad.



Chances:7/10




Right Back:
Certain

Micah Richards

Micah Richards- One of the hot properties of the Premier League, Richards is one of the few Manchester City players who retained their spots despite City's well documented financial overhaul. A powerful and fast defender his ability to play at Centre Back will be an added boost to the English lineup given that its key defenders are on the wrong side of  30( read Terry, Ferdinand and King). His mere presence on the field dwarves the oncoming strikers. His goal scoring abilities will also come in handy. What remains to see is whether interim manager Stuart Pearce hands him a first team spot ahead of tried and tested Glen Johnson. Even though he might not be first choice right back he is definitely going to make the team.


Chances:10/10

Glen Johnson

Glen Johnson-The West Ham United youth product and former Chelsea and Portsmouth player now plays at Liverpool. Ever since Gary Neville's retirement he has cemented the right back position as his. With 35 caps he is among the senior members of the team but looks like an automatic pick too. His mildly attacking play seems to complement Ashley Cole's explosive runs and has the knack of scoring important goals. Despite this it is a known fact that former England manager showed a 30 minute compiled video of Johnson's rubbish throw ins to the English team. His position at right back is under threat given the rise to fame of Manchester City's young, burly but able right back Micah Richards and Tottenham's pacy right back Kyle Walker. The experience factor though will tilt the scales in his balance.

Chances:8/10



Probables

Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker- Kyle Walker is another English player who is young but has had a scintillating season so for Tottenham. A fast and pacy player his speed has left opponents guessing many a times. He forms a wonderful across the flanks partnership with Gareth Bale. His performances have led him to become the first-choice right back so much so that Vederan Corluka moved to Bayer Leverkusen to gain regular first team football. Despite his success fellow players Glen Johnson and Micah Richards seem destined to get a spot ahead of him unless either is injured or Stuart Pearce takes a bold decision by dropping Johnson.

Chances: 6/10





My Picks: Lb: Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines
                  Rb: Micah Richards, Glen Johnson

England's Euro Squad- Defenders Part 1-Central Defender

Due to the large amount of defenders in the fray for selection, this article will deal only with the CB or centre back position.


Certain

Strong Foundations:  Cahill and Terry

John Terry and Gary Cahill-Is hard to write about these two players individually.Purchased for a reported 7 million, Gary Cahill has come into his own at Chelsea and fully justified his move into a top club like Chelsea. Considered as Terry's heir apparent at Chelsea the English defender is as good as they come. For Chelsea this was a dream pairing and it looks so for England too. In Cahill and Terry you have two great no-nonsense defenders with extraordinary goal-scoring abilities. Terry has been known too pump in those deflections and headers at close quarters and Cahill has been seen doing the same in the last few games. This looks a set partnership which might be interrupted in favor of a Terry-Ferdinand partnership in a crunch game given Cahill's relative lack of international exposure.

Chances: 10/10
Terry-Cahill Chances: 9/10

Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand- Despite being an interim captain and an able and strong defender for both Manchester United and England, Rio has been a bit faltering this season. With the rise of exciting young defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling,Rio has often ad to warm the benches this year. He shot himself in the foot too when he refused the captaincy after John Terry's racist remark row. That would have granted him a definite First XI spot. Still a very good defensive partner for Terry having played together for years, now he could see his spot go to Gary Cahill

Chances:9/10
Terry-Ferdinand: 7.5/10
























Probables

Ledly King

Ledly King- The long standing defensive stalwart has always impressed in England colors despite all his injury problems. It was reported that King used to use an oxygen tent to recuperate before every match.King is one of those players who despite all his performances was always overshadowed by someone. At Tottenham this season Younes Kaboul and William Gallas' partnership has been rather impressive and his injury concerns haven't really helped his cause either. Should make it to the team based on experience.

Chances:7/10

Joleon Lescott

Joleon Lescott- The former Everton centre back who now plys his trade for Manchester City has successfully formed a partnership with Kompany. One of the first pick defenders for the City back-line he has been consistent and ever present. With Cahill, Terry and Ferdinand most likely sealing their spots he faces competition with Ledly King for the 4th CB role in the team. In all probabilities it will boil down to form and fitness before the selection date.

Chances: 6/10






Bolt from the Blue

Phil Jones

Chris Smalling

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling-  The young Manchester United defenders have it in them to be one of England's finest in a couple of years. Their ability to play in various positions along the back-line may also come in handy but their recurring injury problems will pose concern. With other veteran defenders Phil Jagielka and Michael Dawson out with injuries this could be a time to make an impact.

Chances: 3/10


Missing Out


Michael Dawson and Phil Jagielka- Often picked in the first team squad, Dawson and Jagielka look all set to miss the Euros with long term injuries for Tottenham and Everton respectively.

Phil Jagielka

Michael Dawson

My Picks: John Terry, Gary Cahill, Rio Ferdinand, Ledly King

Dear Fernando Torres

Dear Fernando Torres,
                                       First of all a hearty congratulations at finally ending your 25 hour goal drought at Leicester City last Sunday. We as Chelsea fans have always had the confidence that you would end this drought and despite all the Doubting Thomases (read Liverpool fans and other EPL teams) we always believed that you would come good.

I'm Back!

                                    
This being said it comes as no surprise that although you were involved in all five goals scored against Leicester there have been people disregarding the fact because it came against, well, Leicester. Yet I believe that Roberto Di Matteo has finally found out how to make you score goals.Your run down the right wing to deliver the pass to Kalou was a sight to behold. It showed us why we payed the 50 million.
                                        

Leicester game: Great Birthday Gift!

In the last couple of months when you hadn't been scoring goals you were ever present in the assists column. One of my favorite assists is the looping cross to Juan Mata who scored Chelsea's second goal in the 3-3 draw with Manchester United. That cross proved that you still had the quality and the skills, only confidence was lacking. Another widely sensationalized hot potato of your fledgling career at Chelsea was the glaring miss in the 3-1 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford not the goal you scored so skillfully. After having deftly rounded David de Gea you missed an open net and opened the gates to a barrage of insults and jokes. We Chelsea fans took the humiliation upon ourselves too and defended you once more. Signs of improvement were seen when you scored in the next game against Swansea but then went and got yourself red-carded for a silly two footed tackle which got you suspended for three games.
                                       
 But now times have changed. Andre Villas-Boas has left. Roberto Di Matteo has taken over. A new life has been breathed into the squad. With 4 wins out of 4 games, the squad looks revitalized and especially you. We all saw that the pace had returned, the trickery had resumed and defense splitting passes had been added to your arsenal, but now with a brace of goals and assists in a single match confidence must have returned and we will be hoping that you will score and play crucial  roles in the three crunch games against Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Benfica.

Manchester City vs Chelsea: Torres Encore needed!

                                        Thank you for believing in yourself and persevering game in game out. We as Chelsea fans are sure you'll break back into the Spanish squad. Before I forget, a very Happy 28th Birthday to you. It makes me very proud to share my birthday with you. Fernando Torres. Respect.

                                                                                                Supporting You As Always,
                                                                                                     Indian Chelsea Fan
                                                                                                    (Fellow Birthday Boy)
                                       

England's Euro Squad- Strikers

In the previous post we checked out the Goalkeepers for the England squad. This time around we will take a look at the Strikers

Certain

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney


This one is a real no brainer. Despite having a two match ban for the opening Euro Fixtures I still feel that Wayne Rooney will make the squad hands down. Probably the only player currently in the race to catch Robin Van Persie for the Premier League Golden boot, he should be able to lock in his place without doubt.

Chances: 10/10.









Probables



Daniel Sturridge

Daniel Sturridge

With a scintillating season for our very own Chelsea, Sturridge is among the hot picks to make it to the National Squad. If selected he will definitely profit incredibly if the England interim manager Stuart Pearce decides to employ Manchester-Unitedesque tactics with Sturridge playing up front and Rooney behind him linking Daniel to the midfield. With just one goal less than Frank Lampard at the moment and Danny Welbeck going through a bit of a lean patch, we might see Sturridge break into the first team at the Euros. Also on display we might see his skills as an out-and-out striker. Will provide cover for the right wing too.

Chances: 8/10





Danny Welbeck

 Danny Welbeck

Another one of England's young starlets he broke into the limelight at Sunderland just like Sturridge did at Bolton he will be another one of the probables who will get a serious look in. After having demoted Dimitar Berbatov to the bench with a fabulous start to the season he seems to have slowed down a bit and hasn't scored in a while.All this being said he still is among the hot favorites to make the grade.
His partnership with Sturridge during the games Rooney has to sit out of might be one to watch out for.

Chances: 7/10






Peter Crouch

Peter Crouch

The lean-freaky-goal-machine rates among some of the top players who played for their country. Despite having scored only seven premier league goals for his new club Stoke, when it comes to the Country he has been ever present.  With a Miroslav Klose like club-country record this 6'7" English giant is among the best when it comes down to national performance with a scoring record of a goal every second game.The nomadic striker might face competition for spots with young Sturridge and Welbeck, but with Bent out of the way, we might  just see him make the cut.


Chances: 6/10






Jermain Defoe

Jermain Defoe

Like the two young strikers Sturridge and Welbeck, Crouch and Defoe are the two national team veterans who are now facing the heat. With a pretty average season for Tottenham this time around with the focus being on Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart, Emmanuel Adebayor; Defoe has been used recently as an impact substitute for scoring goals of the bench. His speed in the dying stages of the game could come in handy as a super sub but he doesn't look solid enough when given the starts. Only expect him to be chosen for experience or as a super sub. Most probably will be competing with Crouch for a place.

Chances: 5/10









Bolt from the Blue


Darren Bent

Darren Bent

The Aston Villa player might not be in an all-guns-blazing form right now but he has been a quiet and consistent performer for the Villans. With Rooney suspended Bent seemed the right striker to lead the strike-force but his recent ankle injury might see his Euro dreams go up in flames. With big-game-hunter Jermain Defoe ready to pounce on this opportunity Bent must hope patiently to get fit and play a couple of games in order to have any chance of making the squad.

Chances: 4/10













My Picks: Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Peter Crouch, Danny Welbeck.

-indianchelseafan

Football Fanaticism in India

In the wild west of Indian Sports, the two major players, cricket and hockey seem to be trapped in an endless fight to the death. As these players ready themselves for one of their countless duels to come, a new player seems to have casually sauntered in. Armed to the feet with nothing more than a round air-filled sphere with weird patterns, he has come to battle it out with those armed with curved sticks, bats and hard leather balls.hockey, having been taunted for being the not-so-national-sport and cricket the unofficial-national-sport has now another sport to compete with.

In India, it is a common site to see an even number of players getting together in groups in parks and playgrounds to play cricket. Now this same even number of players are getting together to play the game imported from the west. Consisting of simple rules and only one round ball, football has a worldwide appeal. Easy on the pocket, for it requires just one kid to get a football, this ‘man’s game’ is slowly but surely outclassing the ‘Gentleman’s Game’ and quickly revolutionizing India and the World.

In the last decade we have seen football’s popularity in India reach dizzying heights. Children as young as 12 are being divided into ‘camps’ for supporting football clubs of their choice. From Glory Hunters who support clubs winning titles and change allegiances every season to people who are downright silly enough to support onlyclubs that are losing, football has seen it all. Clubs such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United and Bayern Munich etc. which probably stood for zilch a few years ago and wouldn’t have rung a bell in any one’s head is now a bone of contention among us.

Every new week brings with it the same old rigmarole of people supporting victorious teams of the last set of fixture trying to shove the taste of defeat into their opponents faces. Hand gestures pointing out score lines and making a mockery of people wearing jerseys of the defeated teams (who often kiss the club crest to show their never ending support) are common sights on an otherwise boring Monday morning  punctuated by trips to Lectures and Practicals. Later followed by pretend sympathy it’s like a soap opera you cannot miss.

Then again there are mainly three kinds of football fanatics in India. One those who play the game, others who are fanatics simply for the reason of not wanting to be left out of this great Shakespearean drama and the third are people like me who call ourselves football analysts. With fancy foreign names of players on our lips we go about are businesses trying to ‘analyze’ as to why a particular team did not win or why a particular team did win.  We often pretend to know much better than the manager of the club and pride ourselves in having a world beating squad in a football management game on our PlayStations and Xboxes.

All this being said it is very rare that you will find a supporter of Indian Football midst all this. There are by far very few who probably even know half of the Eleven Players who make up the Indian National Football Squad. (That’s also partly because we’re ranked from the bottom up). Indian Football was again in the news recently with the famed Bayern Munich side coming to India for Baichung Bhutia’s testimonial match during their winter break. A player who happens to be the very first Indian to have played for a football cub outside of India. Lucky fellow.

After all the criticizing and name calling we must accept one fact that as long as India does not raise its football profile quickly our generation will always sing praises for those of Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and other fancy sounding Stadium names (‘Estadio da Dragao’, anyone?) before we are even able to point out directions to the Cooperage Stadium. It will always remain’ Football Fanaticism in India’ and not ‘Indian Football Fanaticism’.

-IndianChelseaFan