England, the USA’s first opponent at the 2010 World Cup, has personnel problems according to Kevin McCarra, who points out that when Coach FabioCapello watches a club game his gaze must be fixed on national team players “who are not there.” During last weekend’s English Premier League action, Michael Carrick was onthe bench, serving his sentence for the mistake that tipped the Champions League series toward Bayern Munich. Also absent were Rio Ferdinand (groin injury) and WesBrown (toe).
Ferdinand, the England captain, has played in just 11 of Man U’s 35 Premier League games. Man City’s Shaun Wright-Phillips started on the benchagainst Man U. Goalkeeper Ben Foster, who got consecutive starts for England in the fall, has been dropped by Man U. Chelsea’s Ashley Cole is still outinjured.
Things look better in the midfield: Steven Gerrard is afflicted by nothing more than nondescript form at toiling Liverpool. Frank Lampard has comethrough some flat spells but is scoring again. But the wide positions are a concern, with Aaron Lennon still sidelined at Tottenham and Theo Walcott, despite a sharpgoal at Wigan, yet to be a principal figure at Arsenal.