Buzzin Football Blog

The new England boss, Fabio Capello named his first England squad. There weren’t too many surprises in the 30 man squad to face Switzerland next Wednesday at the new Wembley Stadium.

Capello, not known to be sentimental, has left Beckham to dream on for another day.

Other notable absentees are Tottenham’s Paul Robinson and Aaron Lennon, and ex Tottenham now Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe. Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and John Terry are absent due to injury.

I’m surprised by the inclusion of goalkeeper Chris Kirkland (Wigan) ahead of West Ham’s Robert Green, who I would place only behind David James (Portsmouth) as currently the best English goalkeeper in the Premier League.

I also assumed Ledley King was injured again as he didn’t play alongside Tottenham’s new sicknote signing, Jonathan Woodgate on Wednesday. I believe Jonathan Woodgate is England’s finest centre-back. I would love to seem him partner John Terry for England and leave Rio rubber mouth on the bench, but you cannot rely on Woodgate to stay injury-free.

Fabio Capello names his final 23 man squad on Saturday, along with appointing the new England captain. Front runners must be Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen. I tip Gerrard.

Here is the full squad:

Goalkeepers: David James (Portsmouth), Scott Carson (Liverpool on loan at Aston Villa), Chris Kirkland (Wigan)

Defenders: Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Curtis Davies (West Brom on loan at Aston Villa), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Portsmouth), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Nicky Shorey (Reading), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Everton), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Jonathan Woodgate (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham Hotspur), Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), David Bentley (Blackburn Rovers)

Forwards: Emile Heskey (Wigan Athletic), Gabriel Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Michael Owen (Newcastle United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Liverpool)