"Tottenham Hotspur's England Under-21 defender, Steven Caulker, will delay his decision on whether to switch to Scotland until the 19-year-old returns from a knee cartilage injury while on loan with Swansea City. (Daily Record)" Now I don't know how credible the Daily Record is but I really hope this is a load of b*llocks! I've said for a couple of years now ever since I saw him play at White Hart Lane when we played Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup that he'd be destined for great things, his record at Yeovil and Bristol City was fantastic and he hasn't looked out of place in the Prem prior to his injury, I really feel that with the right guidance Caulker can definitely get into the England squad in years to come. Don't throw your career down the drain Stevey boy!!!
Don't agree. He has potential, but playing regular International football will increase his profile and experience. May never make England squad, even if good enough. A couple of years ago, Hudd was the best English midfielder, and Dawson has always been better than Jagielka and Lescott (and probably Terry and Ferdinand now) but has hardly had a look in.
I'm sorry but bar the profiles of Adam, Fletcher and arguably Hutton, playing for Scotland these days seems to be for the "failed" England hopefuls or players in a second rate league. Caulker has far more potential than to switch allegiance and take, what I would call an easy option to international football. In fairness while I rate Dawson highly, Lescott's form with Kompany has been nothing short of brilliant and playing for the team top of the league only improves his chances of getting in the squad. I'm pretty sure Dawson was actually being selected ahead of Jagielka when Ferdinand was injured a while back.
I don't think players should make this kind of decision based on what is good for their career. It should be made based on personal feelings: Do I feel Scottish or English for example. In theory it should be the one area in modern football that is not based on personal gain.
Very good point Spurf, one I agree with 100%. Also enhances my case for Caulker to play (hopefully!) for England - Born in Feltham, according to wiki, my personal feeling is you should only aim to play for your country of birth.
It should but it isn't and I don't blame a player for picking a team that they feel they have a better chance of playing for in the World Cup.
So someone better phone Steve quickly and get him to research the possibility of a Guatemalan grandmother!
So what, that won't change the fact countless players waltz into the England team regardless of form, fitness or injury - whilst players who are on form get left out time and again because their name isn't big enough to warrent sticking their face on this years' FIFA or PES. And whilst I'm on the subject, how is it that Ashley Young was only considered to be a squad player for England when he was at Villa, yet as soon as he moves to Old Trafford he's gone straight into the team. What exacvtly changed about him as a player in that space of time other than his club affiliation?
Be interesting to see if his current poor form continues, if his club connections keep him in the team. Milner is playing better than Young at the moment. If you fancy a laugh Messi will be worried about his place in the team
Perhaps it shows how managers often don't know any more than the fans when it comes to players abilitys, so you get Oh! SAF rates him! he must be good then, I'll have him in my squad. When you have the pick of ALL English players I am not convinced they all play at the top clubs it seems you have to be IN to get a place.
so your telling me harry as england manager would'nt pick him because he's not a big enough name,can't see that myself
Agree with what HBC said in regards to Young suddenly becomming an automatic pick when he signed for Utd but in fairness, Capello has given chances to a few youngsters too - Henderson (prior to 'Pool move), Wellbeck (on loan at Sunderland at the time), Carroll (while at Toon), Jones, Smalling etc. Matt Jarvis and Kevin Davies also got appearances plus he also re-ignited Parker's England career too. It could be argued that these guys got the call up due to "the favourites" being injured at the time but then it's down to the replacement to impress and make sure the manager would be foolish to drop him.
I wasn't talking about Steven in particular but if they did qualify he'd be a shoe-in. Being on the fringes of the England squad doesn't seem a very happy place these days either.
The problem is that the last four England managers didn't share that view, and selected their teams under the belief that names win matches - as opposed to things like scoring more (or conceeding less) goals than your opponent does. I'm personally wondering if it's something to do with pressure from sponsors, given how Capello was willing to experiment with different players - then picked the usual suspects for the World Cup.
19, born and raised in London, already played for the England U19s and U21s and being picked regularly for a Premier League team, prior to injury. Qualifies to play for Scotland due to his gran. Sounds like wishful thinking from North of the border, to me.
I never mentioned "with the exception of Owen Hargreaves" so yes. Playing for your country is exactly that. Not playing for someone elses.
