England have options up front

By Brian Lofrumento | 3rd March 2010

England have options up front | read this item

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Not all countries are created equal. Brazil have their flair, Holland have their finesse, and Germany has their industry. England, on the other hand, are known for their disappointing performances every two years when the major tournaments come around. This time around – just like all the rest – the English media insist things will be different. Every tournament they seem to find a new statistic that suggests it’s time for football to come home, but it never seems to happen.

This time, though, it will be different. I know, a cliche to some, but I truly believe it. Whereas the 2006 version of the Three Lions fell short after a lack of consistent firepower up front, they’re now ready. The pieces of the puzzle appear to be falling into place, and England’s front line options suggest that things will be different in South Africa this summer. Here are some of England’s striking options that should truly be considered for a spot in the final twenty-three, in order of who I believe should be taken.

1 Wayne Rooney | Rooney is England’s pride and joy, and he is the main reason why England are even being considered as World Cup contenders. The Manchester United has been in blistering form this season for the rampant Red Devils, and I firmly believe that he will carry this great form into the world’s biggest tournament. This is a man that plays better the bigger the occasion, and at long last we’ll see a mature Wayne Rooney in a major competition. Rooney must – and will – be a certain starter for Fabio Capello’s side, and he will provide pace, power, and pure finishing ability both in the air and with his feet.

2 Jermain Defoe | Defoe has been the second most in-form English striker this season and thoroughly deserves his spot in the England squad. His 16 Premier League goals this season for Tottenham have given Spurs a shot at the Champions League for next season, and is miles ahead of his English colleagues (besides Rooney) in the goalscorers’ chart. Capello knows the value of Defoe, and you can bet your house that he’ll be one of the first names in the final 23.

3 Bobby Zamora | This is where things get hairy. There’s much debate about which strikers should be joining Defoe and Rooney in South Africa, but I am confident Bobby Zamora deserves one of the remaining two spots. The Fulham striker has forever been overlooked by England managers, but his form in the Premier League surely will put an end to that.

Unfortunately for him, he isn’t in today’s squad for the match against Egypt, but I firmly believe he should be England’s third striker, and first off the bench. Zamora offers a combination of attributes that no striker besides Wayne Rooney offers: pace combined with the ability to finish with power. On top of that, Zamora has proved that he’s a threat from set pieces both on the ball and on the end of them.

4 Carlton Cole | You’re not seeing things – I suggest that Carlton Cole should be the fourth and last English striker on this summer’s World Cup squad. Before you dismiss the thought, think about England’s strike force. Wayne Rooney provides one of the best all around games in the world, Jermain Defoe provides pace and gets behind defenses, and Zamora would be an excellent replacement for Rooney when needed. Carlton Cole, meanwhile, provides yet another different dimension: he is tall and forceful.

Cole will be directly competing with Peter Crouch for a spot in South Africa, and his league form shows he warrants that place more than the man that made the robot celebration famous. Cole has the same aerial presence that Crouch offers yet has found the back of the net far more often than Crouch recently. I’ve never truly been a fan of Cole’s, but England needs options this summer, and Cole would be an excellent addition.

5 Gabby Agbonlahor | Obviously anyone outside of the top four won’t make the final roster for this summer’s World Cup, but if anything goes wrong I think Aston Villa’s trickery forward Gabby Agbonlahor should get a call from Capello. Again, I’ve never been a fan of the player, but he offers something different from the rest of his strike force. Faster than Jermain Defoe and not as much of a known quantity, Agbonlahor also offers an uncanny ability in the air.

6 Michael Owen | Before you laugh at this suggestion, think about who you would want the ball to drop to in the box in the dying seconds of a World Cup match. If you’re a fan of England, chances are it’s Michael Owen. The supposedly aging striker has done the business when given a chance at Old Trafford this season, and his last gasp goal against Manchester City showed once again why he is one of the biggest names in football: at the end of the day he just sticks the ball in the back of the net. England could certainly use his professionalism, experience, and raw finishing ability both on and off the pitch. Given the chance, Owen scores goals.

Beyond these six strikers, next I’d choose Peter Crouch and finally Emile Heskey as a last resort. The fact that many people will argue with my choices just proves my point: England has plenty of options up front. Whether Fabio Capello needs a hint of pace, power, trickery, or pure finishing, it’s all on offer in the English talent pool. Now it’s up to him to use it.

Matt says:

April 25, 2010 at 3:37 pm

Darren Bent?

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Brett Kirkland says:

March 23, 2010 at 10:15 pm

I like Carlton Cole coming off the bench in a late game situation over Zamora (if Cole even makes the squad). England needs size in the box late in the game, Crouch or Cole need to be there.

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vorkey says:

March 4, 2010 at 8:18 am

this is a good article,personally I would prefer peter crouch upfront to Carlton cole ,carlton has been sidelined with injuries this seson and a times he can be selfish with the ball.

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Blackburnbob says:

March 4, 2010 at 3:52 am

20 goals in 37 internationals now for Crouch, have to say i’m not his biggest fan but when he don’s the 3 lions he always produces, showed some lovely little touches also last night, i would have opted for Cole along with Rooney ebfore the match, Cole only got the last 5 minutes on though so couldn’t really say much on him. If Crouch does not go though, something is wrong, how many times can he come off the bench and totally change a game before heget’s recognition at International level!

Milner was good also, he would getthe nod over Gerrard and Lampard for me, Barry also solid as usual.

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Mike Diamente says:

March 3, 2010 at 5:50 pm

haha Zain beat me to my comment…

Peter Crouch is never this dominate at the club level, but always seems to score for England.

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Zain Alvi says:

March 3, 2010 at 5:04 pm

Haha just when you put Crouch down as the seventh choice, he scores twice for England…proves my point: football is a funny game.

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