England head coach Fabio Capello named his final 23 man squad to head to South Africa and followed his World Cup predecessor Sven Goran Eriksson in naming Theo Walcott in his list. The only difference was that this time Walcott was a surprise inclusion on the not-travelling list.

When the 17 year-old Arsenal player was named in the 2006 England squad eye brows were raised. Capello’s decision to leave that last player to score a hat-trick in an England shirt at home was a decision that could have been made easier had his choice to include both Shaun Wright Phillips and Aaron Lennon been more clear cut. With James Milner an almost certainty, there were effectively two places for four players with Walcott possibly the highest profile and Manchester City’s Adam Johnson the most inexperienced.

 

Walcott has not had the most consistent season and Johnson came from the Championship in the January transfer window. Yet both have their positives for England. The former has been there, seen it and done it whilst the latter has impressed since his move from Middlesbrough and is arguably the most natural attacking left winger eligible to play or England.

Wright Phillips and Lennon are quality players on their day. However, the ‘other’ Manchester City winger hasn’t exactly set the world alight with his international performances and the Spurs flier has speed but apparently only one foot and any left back worth his salt will simply send him ‘inside’ and reduce him to chasing after long balls with his pace.

End of the day, Capello will live and die by the decision he makes. If England are once again found wanting up front and fail to provide sufficient ammunition for Wayne Rooney and Crouch, the salami slicer will be out and Walcott and Johnson fans will be first to the counter.