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World Cup 2014: Why England’s Fate Hangs on Performance of Gary Cahill
Published: November 22, 2012
England have consistently and frequently in their most recent past been able to partner two solid, strong central defenders in their national team as they qualify for and compete in major tournaments.
Stretching back even further, the likes of Tony Adams, Gareth Southgate, Terry Butcher and Des Walker all provided great quality in their time, but the most recent of those partnerships has been ended now and it is up to manager Roy Hodgson to find the best new one at his disposal.
England have always been lacking in one area or another going into major tournaments over the past 20 years—not enough technical players, no decent left winger, too many strikers injured or unavailable—but rarely has the centre of defence come under this kind of scrutiny.
Even when a first-choice centre back was missing there was usually an equally able replacement ready and waiting; Jamie Carragher and Ledley King, for example, battling for a spot in Euro 2004 following John Terry's short-term injury.
But now?
With former captain John Terry gone from the international scene and Rio Ferdinand well out of the picture, only one relatively experienced central defender remains in Joleon Lescott.
As a Premier League winner from last season and a semi-regular starter in Roberto Mancini's table-toppers this season (Lescott has started six of City's 12 league games) it would perhaps be a fair assumption that he would make up one half of Hodgson's defensive duo when available, but Everton's Phil Jagielka makes a strong case to usurp Lescott at present with form and playing time in his favour.
Internationally, Lescott has won 24 caps, Jagielka 16. Neither, then, are particularly blessed with vast experience at this level but have both played a huge number of top flight games and are 30 years old. Technically speaking, th...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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