England vs Ukraine: Who should start?

With tonight's crucial World Cup Qualifier looming, I take a look at the midfield options available to Fabio Capello.

Steven Gerrard

Club: Liverpool
Caps: 71
Goals: 14

Considered by many to be perhaps the world's best all-round player, Steven Gerrard wears his heart on his sleeve for both club and country. He broke through into the Liverpool first team in 1998 and went on to represent England for the first time two years later, going to Euro 2000, though making just one substitute appearnce. His first goal came in the memorable 5-1 victory over Germany in Munich in 2001 but was injured for the 2002 World Cup and was not selected. He started to hold down a starting place in central midfield alongside Frank Lampard and featured in Euro 2004. He was established as one of the world's best midifelders by the 2006 World Cup and scored two goals at the tournament itself. Steve McClaren appointed Gerrard vice-captain but losses to Croatia and Russia, and the subsequent failure to qualify for Euro 2008, questions were raised as to how England could accomodate both Gerrard and Lampard in the same team. Gerrard has since occupued many positions in the midfield, including playing on the left and right wings or just behind a lone striker. Capello holds Gerrard in high regard but he lost out in the race to be captain to John Terry. He remains perhaps England's most important player.


Frank Lampard

Club: Chelsea
Caps: 68
Goals: 15

A remarkable goalscoring record for Chelsea marks Frank Lampard out as one of the best central midfielders in the world. He is a box-to-box midfielder known for scoring both spectacular and important goals. Lampard played regularly for the under 21s while at West Ham and made his senior debut in 1999 in a friendly against Belgium. He featured sporadically for his country though and was overlooked for both Euro 2000 and the World Cup in 2002. He impressed in the Premier League after his move to Chelsea and cemented his place in the Euro 2004 squad. During which he scored three goals in England's four games and was named in the Team of the Tournament. He was a regular starter up until a poor World Cup 2006 and Steve McClaren began to look at other options when he took over. Gareth Barry has since pushed Lampard for a starting role under Capello but Lampard remains a pivotal figure in England's midfield and has scored more than his fair share of important goals.


Gareth Barry

Club: Aston Villa
Caps: 28
Goals: 1

Gareth Barry's versatility has been extremely useful to Aston Villa for many years but he has only recently begun to shine on the international stage. Starting his career as a centre-back in 1998, Barry then moved to left-back and made his debut for England in 2000 before travelling with the squad to Euro 2000, though he didn't feature. He was overlooked frequently by Sven-Goran Eriksson but managed further caps against France, South Africa, Serbia and Montenegro and Slovakia in 2003. Barry then went four years without a look-in for the national side but was recalled to the squad in 2007 to face Spain by Steve McClaren. He featured on the left wing in that game but has since established himself in the central midfield position, keeping Frank Lampard out of the team on many occasions. Barry started the victory over Slovakia in midfield and is likely to continue tonight.


Michael Carrick

Club: Manchester United
Caps: 17
Goals: 0

Predominatly a defensive midfielder, Michael Carrick has begun to show the sort of goalscoring form for Manchester United which is expected from a modern-day midfielder. Starting his career alongside a talented bunch of youngsters at West Ham, Carrick moved to Spurs in 2004 after the Hammers were relegated. He made two substitute appearances for England in 2001 but had to wait four years before his next cap in 2005, playing during England's tour of the United States. He was named in the 2006 World Cup squad and featured in the 1-0 win over Ecuador. He has been overlooked somewhat by both Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren but Fabio Capello has kept faith with him. Carrick started the 2-1 win over Germany and put in what many sources thought was a man of the match performance.


David Beckham

Club: Los Angeles Galaxy/AC Milan
Caps: 109
Goals: 17

The most famous footballer on the planet, there isn't much that hasn't been said or written about the man who holds the record for most England caps for an outfield player. He has been a fantastic servant for his country, captaining the side from 2000 to 2006. Beckham's international career started in 1996 under Glenn Hoddle against Moldova and he impressed so much that he featured in all of England's 1998 World Cup Qualifying matches. He was dropped controversially from the first two games of the tournament but was recalled for the third against Colombia. His long-range free-kick during that game was his first for England but his joy turned to despair in the next round when he was red-carded for a kick on Diego Simeone against Argentina and England were knocked out. Beckham was public enemy number one after the incident and fan abuse escalated during a 3-2 defeat against Portugal when Beckham, having set-up both of England's goals, responded to taunts from his own fans with a one-fingered gesture. But all was forgotten soon after when he was named England captain under Sven-Goran Eriksson and scored THAT last minute free-kick against Greece which secured England's qualification for the 2002 World Cup. He featured in every game at the tournament despite being only partially fit but had a disappointing Euro 2004 campaign. He was again only partially fit for the 2006 World Cup but still played every game becoming the first England player to score in three World Cups with a free-kick against Ecuador. Since stepping down as England captain after the tournament Beckham has been in and out of the team. His move to America has not spelled the end of his career, as many thought it would, however. Fabio Capello has selected him for his squads on many ocassions and his loan move to AC Milan recently has seen him performing consistently well on a big stage once again. He offers England some real quality from set-pieces but is battling with Aaron Lennon for a place in the starting eleven.


Aaron Lennon

Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Caps: 10
Goals: 0

Perhaps the fastest player in the Premier League, Aaron Lennon burst onto the scene after his move from Leeds to Tottenham Hotspur in 2005. His pace and dribbling skills brought him to the attention of Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was so impressed that he selected him for the 2006 World Cup despite him being uncapped. He made his England debut in the 6-0 win over Jamaica prior to the World Cup. He played twice during the tournament and featured fairly regularly in the Euro 2008 qualifiers. He was dropped after a dip in form, however, under McClaren and did not feature for England again for two years, starting the victory over Slovakia before being replaced by David Beckham. There have been calls for him to replace Beckham on a regular basis on the right of midfield, but his final delivery has been criticised, something which Beckham specialises in.


Shaun Wright-Phillips

Club: Manchester City
Caps: 23
Goals: 4

A real bundle of energy, Wright-Phillips made his England debut as a substitute against Ukraine on 18 August 2004 and scored an impressive goal late in the second half. He was frequently called upon throughout England's World Cup qualifying campaign. However, after a decline in form, especially a poor performance away to Northern Ireland, and a lack of games following his move to Chelsea he missed out on a place in the 2006 World Cup squad. He played on the right wing during England's two Euro 2008 qualifiers against Macedonia and Croatia. After a good start to the 2007–08 campaign, Wright-Phillips received an England recall to play against Germany in a friendly match at the new Wembley Stadium. He was brought on as a substitute in the second half during the match in which England lost 1–2 to Germany and he was named the England sponsor's Man of the Match after an impressive performance. Selected to start against Israel on 8 September, he scored the first goal in the 3–0 victory and won the England Man of the Match award with his performance once more. He was once again selected to start for England against Estonia and scored his third goal for England and the opener in a third consecutive 3–0 win at Wembley. He was selected in England's critical Euro 2008 qualifying game against Croatia, substituted at half time in favour of David Beckham with England trailing 2-0. His pace and trickery gives England another option on both wings.


Stewart Downing

Club: Middlesbrough
Caps: 23
Goals: 0

The only natural left-winger in the squad, Stewart Downing provides real width to the team and has been regularly included in England squads under the last three managers. He made his England debut in 2005 in a friendly against the Netherlands and was selected for the World Cup in 2006. He featured in the victories over Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago and made his first start for England in a 4-0 win over Greece, his former Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren's first game in charge of the team. He started three more Euro 2008 qualifiers under McClaren before he drew criticism for his average performances, with many claiming that he was being selected simply because of his relationship with McClaren. However, Fabio Capello has included him regularly also and his performance against Germany in November drew praise from those who had criticised him so readily.


Who should start?

The midfield has been a problematic area for England for some time now, which is crazy when you look at the quality available. The problem lies in accomodating all the players. It has been well-documented that Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard don't function particularly well together, but they have contributed to England at least qualifying for major tournaments. It was only when the partnership was broken up under McClaren that the team really begin to struggle. Lampard and Gerrard are two of the best midfielders in the world so it is a given that they should both start.


On the wings, Aaron Lennon has had a fantastic season for Spurs and started against Slovakia, looking dangerous in thre process. His half-time replacement, David Beckham, also did well and it is perhaps the biggest selection headache for Fabio Capello. Beckham's form has also been good, but I expect Aaron Lennon to be picked ahead of him and Shaun Wright-Phillips for tonight's game.

Gareth Barry has performed well in central midifeld but can fill the left wing role admirably. Stewart Downing is England's only natural left winger though and he provides real width. For me, Gareth Barry offers more protection to Ashley Cole on the left and the full-back's willingness to get forward should combat Downing's absence.


My midfield for tonight would be:

Lennon Lampard Gerrard Barry

Aaron Lennon offers the pace and skill on the right to unlock defences and Lampard and Gerrard can surely work the offensive and defensive roles between them against a team like Ukraine. Barry offers more defensive protection for Ashley Cole than Stewart Downing and that is why I feel he warrants selection. Whilst David Beckham misses out, I fully expect him to feature at some point should England be struggling to score.