Source: Daily_Mail
THE LIST: Top 50 English players who should be on Fabio Capello's radar
The World Cup is less than four months away - and Fabio Capello has some difficult decisions to make. [LNB] HAVE YOUR SAY... Who is the best English player in the world today? There's a World Cup coming, time to look lively. Sportsmail's latest edition of The List celebrates the 50 best English footballers in the world today. Who should be in Fabio Capello's sights? Tell us the rising stars, the established stars not pulling their weight, and those you'd like to see return from international retirement. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Next week he will send out a team to face Egypt in what will be England's last friendly before he names the provisional squad for South Africa 2010.[LNB]Who's in his thoughts? Is there a man to fill Ashley Cole's boots if the Chelsea man doesn't recover in time? Which of his imperfect goalkeepers will get the nod between the sticks?[LNB]Sportsmail try to help out the Italian by revealing the top 50 English players of the here and now. Long-term injured stars such as Owen Hargreaves misses out, because, for example, it seems unlikely he can recover form and fitness in time for Manchester United.[LNB]But we highlight some uncapped starlets that Capello should gamble on, pick out the retired stars who should be leaned on to reconsider and reveal those regulars who justify their place in the squad.[LNB]As ever, we countdown with 10 per day, unveiling our No 1 on Friday, and you can join in the debate.[LNB]Read Nos 50-41 Read Nos 40-31 Read Nos 30-21 20. Michael DawsonTottenham's new captain, since the departure of Robbie Keane, is enjoying a fine season in the heart of Spurs' defence. Even if the person playing alongside him at centre-back changes almost from game to game.[LNB]Dawson has been is highly rated by all at White Hart Lane, he leads by example and is a fine distributor of the ball but is yet to win a full international cap.[LNB] Leading by example: Michael Dawson has starred at the heart of Tottenham's defence while Gabby Agbonlahor has hit the scoring charts for Aston Villa[LNB]19. Gabriel AgbonlahorAnother player who has prospered from Aston Villa's fine form this season. [LNB]Agbonlahor is the Villan's top scorer with 12 strikes to his name and is one of the forwards favoured by Capello.[LNB]The highlight of his season so far has to be his winner away against Manchester United. But, with a cup final on the way and the World Cup on the horizon, there may be much better to come for the 23-year-old.[LNB]18. Scott DannOne half of Birmingham's stoic central defence partnership with Roger Johnson which has shipped just 28 goals all season.[LNB]It's hard to believe that he was playing League Two football with Wallsall as little as two years ago and has now forced his way into the reckoning for an England spot.[LNB] Case for the defence: Scott Dann and Ledley King (when fit) are in top form[LNB]17. Ledley KingEven with one knee, King remains one of the finest English defenders available to Capello. If it wasn't for his chronic injury, he would have won far more then just the 19 caps he has to his name.[LNB]Capello has called up King, 29, to two of his squads but both times he has had to withdraw due to his ongoing injury problems.[LNB]Harry Redknapp has described King as an 'absolute freak' for being able to perform at a high level despite not training but there's no doubt he could acquit himself in South Africa. [LNB]16. Adam JohnsonHis mates describe him as 'the new Robinho,' but his new boss Roberto Mancini believes he is the new Ryan Giggs.[LNB]Either way, in his four appearances since making his £6m deadline day move from the Riverside, Johnson has impressed the Manchester City faithful, and his manager.[LNB]Roberto Mancini has said: 'If he continues like he is at the moment he could get into the national team. If he keeps working hard he has a good chance for the future.'[LNB] We agree.[LNB] Middle men: Adam Johnson's move to Eastlands has so far been a success while ever-present Osman continues to be David Moyes's Mr Reliable at Goodison Park[LNB]15. Leon OsmanThere may be a few more twists left in what has already been an exciting season for the player Evertonians describe as their answer to Andres Iniesta.[LNB]Osman captained Everton for the first time in the 4-0 Carling Cup victory away at Hull and his performance in the Toffees 3-1 victory over Manchester United was nothing short of brilliant.[LNB]He's making a concerted late dash for the line to make it into Fabio's squad and, at 28, he won't have many better opportunities than this.[LNB]14. Joe ColeIt has been a strange few months for the Chelsea winger. After an extended period on the sidelines, he was excited to return for the Blues but things haven't exactly gone to plan.[LNB]Since returning from a knee injury, Cole has failed to impress Carlo Ancelotti and was substituted at half-time during the FA Cup clash with Cardiff City recently.[LNB]He's out of contract in the summer and is therefore playing for a new contract at Chelsea, or maybe elsewhere. Capello is a fan and we're sure he'll be on the plane to South Africa... if he stays fit.[LNB] On the ball: Cole is out of contract this summer but is a near-on certainty for South Africa while Phil Neville has plenty of international experience to call on[LNB]13. Phil NevilleA nasty challenge in the game at Fulham called a halt to Neville's season back in September, but his return over Christmas has coincided with Everton's excellent run of form.[LNB]His display against former club Manchester United at the weekend shows just how inspirational he is.[LNB]An imperious performance in the 3-1 win was capped by his last-ditch challenge to steal the ball from Wayne Rooney who looked certain to score. Will he be continuing the Neville family's history with England this summer.[LNB]12. Scott ParkerWest Ham have struggled this season, of that there is no doubt, but if they are to survive, they will have the combative midfielder to thank.[LNB]It is certainly not his goals, he is yet to hit the mark this season, it's his leadership creativity, and battle. He is also and as good a passer as there is in the league. [LNB]All traits that will be needed by the bucket load if England are to prosper this summer.[LNB] Irons in the fire: Parker and Zamora's respective form has led to England calls[LNB]11. Bobby ZamoraFulham fans will tell you he can run the line up front, if not better than the other candidates for the target-man role - Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey or Carlton Cole.[LNB]And he's banging in more goals than those competing for the role. His 13 goals eclipse Crouch's 10, Cole's nine and Heskey's five.[LNB]And he's scoring belters, too. The goals against Shakhtar and Birmingham will have certainly given Capello plenty of food for thought.[LNB] The best of the rest of The ListSportsmail's top 50 unlikely sporting heroesSportsmail's top 50 golden oldies in British footballSportsmail's top 50 Premier League players of the decadeSportsmail's top 50 last-gasp goals in British footballSportsmail's top 50 footballers never to play at the World CupSportsmail's top 50 sporting feuds of all timeSportsmail's 50 great sports photographsSportsmail's top 50 commentators of all timeSportsmail's top 50 sporting venuesSportsmail's top 50 performers of the season so farSportsmail's top 50 all-time managers in BritainSportsmail's top 50 goal poachersSportsmail's top 50 footballing traitorsSportsmail's top 50 FA Cup heroesSportsmail's greatest Wembley finals in historySportsmail's top 50 biggest hitters in cricketSportsmail's top 50 British & Irish LionsSportsmail's top 50 Ashes heroes
