HATCHET MAN: Not even English, too old and discarded by Spain - why Almunia should never be allowed

Manuel Almunia may have kept Arsenal in the Champions League at Manchester United but even if he won the competition singled handedlyhe shouldn't be allowed to play for England.On talent alone the Spanish goalkeeper would be a reasonablecandidate to fill the gap between veteran David James and the buddingNo.1s coming through.But it would be demeaning to England as a sporting nation if themanager resorted to a measure as desperate as encouraging Almunia towear the three lions. Are you watching Fabio? But does expect Manuel Almunia to be their saviourAlmunia is one of Spain's cast-offs. He is not a young player who they have not yet claimed or a talent they are unaware of.He is a 31-year-old who spent all but the last five years of his careerplaying in the country of his birth and has always been deemedinsufficiently talented to earn a cap.Almunia would qualify to play for England by virtue of having livedhere for five years while he has been at Arsenal and says he couldapply for a passport in January, yet it would be a marriage ofconvenience.   More from Hatchet Man. HATCHET MAN: Forget heroic defending - limited Chelsea were just running scared against Barcelona30/04/09 HATCHET MAN: Does Moyes need a washed-up Liverpool legend/Newcastle failure at Goodison Park? He must be g-Owen mad.30/04/09 HATCHET MAN: Great for police overtime but a final nail in the SPL's coffin - the Premier League must hold firm in snubbing Rangers and Celtic30/04/09 HATCHET MAN: We only really have two games to save ourselves - Toon striker Owen surrenders six points29/04/09 HATCHET MAN: Even Benitez wouldn't try and replace Alonso with Barry a second time - he's not that mad29/04/09 HATCHET MAN: Forward thinking? Not a chance as Chelsea chess match sets the agenda for Fergie v Wenger29/04/09 HATCHET MAN: Here's Benitez's biggest test - proving us wrong over his record in the transfer market28/04/09 HATCHET MAN: Forget Messi v Bosingwa, it is Gibbs who is being thrown to the lions28/04/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Importing the manager is one thing, but adopting another country'splayers is another. It may be within the rules but if would just feellike cheating.If it became common practice it would make the idea of internationalteams meaningless too. Surely things have not got so bad that this isthe only option for England.  Are you England's No 1? Arsenal's Spanish stopper Almunia could get Capello call  

Source: Daily_Mail