England, with all its star players throughout the years, have only one World Cup to their name. Time and time again, they have disappointed with poor attempts to lay their hands on the gold for the second time. But this time, the England team have never had a better squad than when they won the competition back in 1966, and this is why England should do well in this year's competition:
The Defence
The England defence has never looked as solid as this: Paul Robinson, a world class goalkeeper between the sticks; Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, centre-halves many managers wish to have in their teams; Ashley Cole and Gary Neville, the full backs who love to get forward and are not shabby at defending themselves.
Not only are all these players effective at set plays and the art of defending, three out of the four first team defenders (sorry, John Terry) are really fast runners. Who said defenders are traditionally slow?
Furthermore, England can employ the services of the versatile Jamie Carragher, who can play in any position in the defence and even in midfield, and the seasoned Sol Campbell, who is in the class of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand. England this year are a very, very strong defensive unit and we shouldn't see them conceding too many goals.
The Midfield
Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. Need I say more? The engine room packs a powerful punch with these two. Steven Gerrard at his best is a creative player who causes havoc in the opponent's defence when he moves forward, as is Frank Lampard. Both are midfield dynamos with the ability to turn a game. With David Beckham looking back to his best with his deadly crosses and free-kicks, and the ever creative and industrious Joe Cole down the left-flank, England have a midfield to rival most teams.
Not to mention their left-wing David Beckham equivalent, Stewart Downing (who, in my opinion, should start on the left if Aaron Lennon starts on the right), Aaron Lennon the pacy wing-wizard and Michael Carrick the English equivalent of Xabi Alonso, England have superb players to call upon should they opt to change their tactics.
The Forwards
Michael Owen and Peter Crouch look to have struck up a wonderful partnership between themselves, with each of them helping themselves to several goals against Hungary then Jamaica. Peter Crouch looks better playing for England than for Liverpool, maybe because of Owen (come back to Liverpool Owen!). If Crouch cannot deliver, they still have Wayne Rooney and the promising Theo Walcott.
With the right tactics, England should make a strong push for the world cup this year, forty years after their only win in the competition. If Sven-Goran Eriksson plays his cards right, he will be able to take England far this June. Let the games begin!
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