Time for change: It could be the end of the road
for many of the England players who limped to a 4-1 defeat against
Germany in the last 16 of the World Cup
Fabio Capello is ready to axe members of his failed
World Cup squad after sources close to the England manager accused
players of ignoring instructions and lacking courage during the
ill-fated campaign in South Africa.
Even former captain John Terry's position in the squad is under
scrutiny, while goalkeeper Robert Green, whose blunder against the
United States denied England a victory in their opening game, is
also vulnerable, along with defender Matthew Upson and midfielder
Shaun Wright-Phillips.
One source close to Capello said: 'Fabio considers it
totally inexcusable that players who showed enough courage in the
qualifiers didn't show the same courage when it mattered in South
Africa. He finds it unbearable when players lack character on the
pitch. That is what he believes happened at the World Cup and he
felt let down. He will make sure it never happens again. That is
why there will be a lot of changes - perhaps more than people
think.'
David James, Emile Heskey and Ledley King are unlikely to play
for England again because of age or injuries.
But Capello has to name a new squad in five weeks' time for
England's friendly against Hungary at Wembley, and the manager says
the World Cup represented the end of an era for certain members of
his squad.
Stay of execution: Capello has survived as England
boss with the support of Ferdinand, the side's skipper who was
forced out of the World Cup through injury
'For some this will be the end,' said Capello. 'The
chairman of Club England, Dave Richards, has asked me what I
thought about the next tournament and the young players we might
have to bring through, like Adam Johnson and Joe
Hart.'
Capello is also likely to include youngsters Jack Rodwell, of
Everton, and Arsenal pair Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs, along
with Fulham's 29-year-old striker, Bobby Zamora, either against
Hungary in August or the following month for the Euro 2012
qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.
Next in line: Fulham striker Zamora is set for a
call up to the next squad
With Rio Ferdinand now not expected to return to action
until November, Capello will also have to decide whether Steven
Gerrard continues as his captain. Ferdinand missed the World Cup
with a knee injury and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed
last night: 'Rio will be out of action for at least four
months.'
Terry is the most high-profile England player under scrutiny
after his poor performance against Germany, described by a source
close to Capello as one of the worst defensive displays ever.
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