Source: Team_Talk
England WC squad: The contenders
England WC squad: The contenders
Michael Owen made only four international appearances before setting the world on fire at France '98, while Theo Walcott had never been anywhere near the England squad prior to his call-up for the 2006 World Cup.
So despite Fabio Capello's squad appearing pretty settled a whole seven months before his final 23 is named for South Africa, it would be foolish to ignore the possibility of one or two players coming from nowhere to nudge one of the more established players off the plane.
Strong contenders:
Jack Rodwell:
The Everton youngster has been earmarked as a future England centre-half, cut from the same cloth as Rio Ferdinand, but it has been his performances in David Moyes' midfield that could earn him his spot in the squad next summer.
Calm and composed in possession, with a good range of passing, Rodwell can provide cover at the back and in midfield, especially if Owen Hargreaves fails get himself fit again.
Jack Wilshere:
It's rare that a prodigious youngster ever lives up to the hype but Wilshere is as close to a sure thing as you will find.
The Arsenal academy graduate appears to have the lot. An attacking midfielder capable of playing anywhere across pitch, Wilshere has drawn comparisons with the very best. A rare, left-footed English gem, Wilshere has an eye for a pass but can also carry a ball, possessing the rare capability of being able produce a moment of magic that can turn a game.
Capello has admitted he is keeping the 17-year-old in mind for the final cut, but any inclusion would depend on how much football he sees in Arsene Wenger's first team this season.
Lee Cattermole:
Gareth Barry has made the holding role his own over the past year or so, but the Manchester City midfielder could have a fight on his hands come next summer.
Hargreaves would be Barry's main competitor but any repeat of the United star's injury problems could present an opportunity to Cattermole, who in August completed his second multi-million pound move in as many summers.
As Hargreaves and Nicky Butt have proved in recent World Cups, the holding role is critical to England at major tournaments, and Cattermole has proved himself on the Under-21 stage. Whether the combatitive midfielder makes the final squad remains to be seen, but the Sunderland man is almost certain to be given a chance in the run up to prove he can make the step up.
Kieran Gibbs:
Ashley Cole is one of the few genuinely world-class players England can call upon, but if Capello is looking for like-for-like cover for the Chelsea left-back, Gibbs would be a suitable option.
Like Danny Welbeck, Gibbs' first problem could be dislodging what's in front of him at club level but when he has had the opportunity, the 20-year-old has proved he is more than capable of pushing Gael Clichy.
Wenger had no fears about putting Gibbs into his side for last year's Champions League semi-final against Manchester United, when an unfortunate slip in the second leg took the gloss off a superb performance in the Old Trafford tie.
Outside bets:
Danny Welbeck:
Sir Alex Ferguson normally likes to protect his youngsters, preferring them to be allowed to develop without the hype and expectation that comes with playing for the Premier League champions.
Ferguson seemed to forget this policy when asked about Welbeck's potential, though, instead claiming: 'Danny's a certainty to make it at the highest level. I've told Fabio Capello the boy will be in his World Cup squad next year.'
While Ferguson might be certain, Capello and the rest of us might need a little more convincing.
Although he has been employed largely in a wide role, the 18-year-old's performances have been patchy when he has been given the opportunity and given United's options in attack, it is going to take an injury to one or two of his more high-profile team-mates if Welbeck is to get the chance to prove his boss right.
Ryan Shawcross:
Shawcross was one of the stars of Stoke's first season in the Premier League, when he showed that Sir Alex Ferguson may have been a little hasty in allowing the centre-half to leave.
Gary Cahill has emerged as the leading contender to push Matthew Upson and Joleon Lescott as deputies for Rio Ferdinand and John Terry but another campaign like last year's for Shawcross could see Capello presented with a dilemma.
Shawcross, at six feet five inches, is the tallest central defender currently available to Capello, but the medical issues arising from his latest growth spurt mean he currently trains only once a week. Any continuation of that, coupled with his lack of versatility, could see Shawcross edged out in the final reckoning.
Long shots:
Fabian Delph:
Like Wilshere, former Leeds youngster Delph is a left-footed ball carrier of whom big things are expected.
Delph, who joined Aston Villa for £6million in the summer, prefers to operate in more of a central role, in the left-channel rather than as a traditional winger.
The 19-year-old has yet to settle in properly at Villa Park however, and because of the vast number of options open to Capello, it is going to take something pretty spectacular between now and May if he is to spend his summer in South Africa.
Michael Turner:
A superb campaign at the back in what ultimately proved to be a season of struggle for Hull earned Turner a £6million move to Sunderland, with other big clubs also rumoured to be interested in the centre-half.
A defender in the traditional sense, the 25-year-old might not have Rio Ferdinand's composure on the ball, but there are few better in the Premier League at doing the dirty stuff.
However, despite being a real asset in both boxes, Turner remains down the pecking order and it will take something calamitous by way of injuries for England, and spectacular in terms of form if Turner is to make Capello's 23.
Steve Harper:
The lack of real quality in the goalkeeping department is one of the most talked about subjects among England followers, but no one seems willing to look away from the tried and tested.
That's largely because there is pretty much nothing else out there, but Harper is now showing his class for Newcastle, having finally stepped out of Shay Given's massive shadow.
Whether it was commendable loyalty to Newcastle or a criminal lack of ambition that stopped Harper leaving St James' Park years ago, it has almost certainly cost him international honours. But perhaps it's not too late.
Who do you believe could come from nowhere to make the England squad for South Africa? Is there anyone in the current squad who, like Gascoigne in '98, may have a nasty surprise coming their way? Use the story comment facility below to let us know if you think there is anyone else who you believe could force his way into Capello's plans at this late stage.
