It used to be who to play on the left - now it's who will be left behind

20 November 2009 17:31
Leaving his flirtations with blondes, brunettes and billionaires to one side, the real headache for Sven Goran Eriksson during his tenure as England manager was finding someone to occupy the left flank. [LNB]It was a situation that was often blamed for the national team's rather less impressive performances under the Swede. [LNB]A lack of balance and a lack of width; a lack of pace and a lack of penetration. But not any more. [LNB] Fighting fit: Chelsea's Joe Cole is back in action after a long lay-off[LNB]Fabio Capello suddenly has an embarrassment of riches, with three left wingers from one club as well as the man who eventually emerged as Eriksson's preferred choice. [LNB]Joe Cole is back for Chelsea and it will not be long before he returns to the England squad too. [LNB]If everyone is fit and the opposition demand that England deploy a holding midfielder, Capello is sure to continue with Steven Gerrard to the left of Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard. [LNB]It is a system that has worked well and one he will very much have in mind for the World Cup in South Africa. But that still leaves the players Capello must consider for the role of Gerrard's understudy. [LNB]Cole is one, while the Aston Villa trio of James Milner, Stewart Downing and Ashley Young are also pushing for selection. [LNB]Right now, nobody is pushing harder than Milner. Since impressing on his debut as a substitute against Holland back in August, Capello has sent Milner on from the bench in every game and not once has he disappointed the Italian. [LNB]Making his mark: Milner has impressed[LNB]In five matches he has all but booked his seat on the plane to South Africa, with Capello impressed as much by his two-footed versatility as his single-mindedness. Milner is as clean-living and ultra-professional as they come. [LNB] Against Belarus last month, however, Capello made a decision that might just open the door to one of his left wing rivals. After 78 minutes of watching Wayne Bridge self-destruct at Wembley, Capello put the Manchester City full-back out of his misery and deployed Milner as his replacement in defence. [LNB] It did not leave Milner much time to make an impression but he did, providing some much needed solidity to the back four and unleashing a shot that almost increased England's three-goal advantage to four. [LNB]The temptation to now discard Bridge will be considerable. He has made it here to Doha in the absence of the injured Ashley Cole but Capello must realise what a liability he has become for club and country. [LNB]  Against Burnley last weekend he was disastrous, so much so that he became victim of a brutal assassination, BBC style. Alan Hansen rarely attacks with such venom but on Match of the Day he made a point of highlighting the fact that Bridge was at fault for all three Burnley goals before giving the former Chelsea man a score of 'minus six' out of 10. [LNB]For Bridge it was a horror show after the horror show, and something from which he may struggle to recover. [LNB]If Capello opts for Bridge against Brazil this weekend, it could get really messy. Bridge versus Kaka and Daniel Alves? It's enough to give the England manager nightmares, given how little positional sense he appears to possess.   [LNB] Calamity against the Clarets: Bridge (centre) had a nightmare on Saturday[LNB]Another Aston Villa player has made it here to Qatar, and Capello might yet choose to take another look at Stephen Warnock as an alternative to Bridge. [LNB]While Kieran Gibbs could also soon be pushing for promotion from the Under 21s if he makes a few more appearances for Arsenal. [LNB]Selecting Milner as cover for Ashley Cole in South Africa would free up space, though, and enable Capello to accommodate another forward and that is something that might just appeal. Milner doesn't care as long as he makes it to the tournament. [LNB] All smiles: Young was in a good mood as England trained ahead of facing Brazil [LNB]'I'd be absolutely gutted if I missed out,' he said. 'But the fact that I can play in different positions might help. There's a lot of competition for places, and a lot of quality players, but there are going to be injuries and suspensions at the World Cup and my versatility could be useful.[LNB] 'All I can control is how well I play and how well I train, and how well I do when I come away with England. [LNB] 'It's great to have Joe Cole getting fit again. He's a great player and you want England going to the World Cup with as strong a squad as possible. [LNB] 'Stewart Downing is nearly back to full fitness too. He's also a top player and one of three players at Villa, along with Ashley and myself, who might be competing for the same place with England. Which I suppose is unusual.   [LNB]The coach: Capello has tough decisions to make[LNB]'But you don't want to have too many players of the same type. There are the quick boys like Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon but it's pointless having four wingers who play in exactly the same way. You need a mixture of attacking options.' [LNB]Milner seems convinced that Capello shares that view, which is why David Beckham will probably secure one of the 23 World Cup places because he too offers something different. [LNB]But Milner is also sure each player will be judged by Capello on the merits much closer to the time. That, even when it comes to players like Beckham, it will be a level playing field. [LNB]'The manager has already proved that he picks players on merit and form,' said Milner. [LNB]Which is why Bridge is so vulnerable.  [LNB] England v Brazil: As the two great footballing powerhouses collide in a famous friendly, Sportsmail remembers the key clashesEngland v Brazil: Locals excited... but they will be watching the reserves!Fabio Capello is right to snub Michael Owen - but I'd still take England legend to the World Cup, claims Alan Shearer Luke away now: Young in second England snub to Fabio CapelloFabio Capello loves the Spurs stars, claims England hopeful Tom HuddlestoneEXCLUSIVE: 2018 World Cup crisis summit called as Caborn faces axeInjured Glen Johnson pulls out of England squad to face Brazil[LNB]  Explore more:People:Ashley Cole, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Theo Walcott, Sven Goran Eriksson, Ashley Young, Daniel Alves, Joe Cole, James Milner, Fabio Capello, David Beckham, Wayne Bridge, Aaron Lennon, Gareth Barry, Frank LampardPlaces:South Africa, United Kingdom, Brazil, The Netherlands, Qatar

Source: Daily_Mail