Rooney Named as Sven Announces Shock Squad

Germany Bound?
By Chris O'Brien
May 8 2006

Injury-ravaged Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand have all been named in England's World Cup squad for the forthcoming finals in Germany. However, the real surprise sees teenage sensation Theo Walcott, unproven at 17-years-old, named amongst the provisional 23-man squad.

Sven-Goran Eriksson, traditionally considered to be an unadventurous and conservative coach, has seemingly gambled on the England's chances of success with the inclusion of the totally unproven 17-year-old striker Theo Walcott.

The Swede has also handed surprise call-ups to Aaron Lennon and Stuart Downing as England look to end their 40-year wait for international silverware.

Three Manchester United stars have been named within the provisional 23-man squad. Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and the injured Wayne Rooney are all included. However, Rooney remains a huge doubt for the tournament after breaking his foot at Stamford Bridge and Jermaine Defoe and Andrew Johnson are the strikers on stand-by should the former Everton man be forced to withdraw from the squad.

Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ledley King and Darren Bent are the notable exclusions as Eriksson names only four strikers. Owen Hargreaves, Jermaine Jenas and the injury-troubled Wayne Bridge all travel instead with England seemingly set to field a 4-5-1 formation for the finals.

Supporters have expressed mixed opinions at the surprise call-ups. Walcott is a junior of the game at only 17-years of age. He is yet to appear in the Premiership since moving to Arsenal from Southampton. He made only 13 starts with the Saints and has a career total of just four league goals. Some have voiced concerns over his lack of experience and would prefer to see the likes of Defoe, Bent or Darius Vassell making the trip to Germany, whilst others feel this could be a final stroke of genius from the controversial England boss.

The complete 23-man squad is as follows:

Robinson (Tottenham), James (Manchester City), Green (Norwich); G Neville (Manchester United), Ferdinand (Manchester United), Terry (Chelsea), Cole (Arsenal), Campbell (Arsenal), Carragher (Liverpool), Bridge (Chelsea), Beckham (Real Madrid), Carrick (Tottenham), Lampard (Chelsea), Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Jenas (Tottenham), Downing (Middlesbrough), J Cole (Chelsea), Lennon (Tottenham), Rooney (Manchester United), Owen (Newcastle), Crouch (Liverpool), Walcott (Arsenal).

The following four players will be on stand-by for the tournament:
Carson (Liverpool), Young (Charlton), Reo-Coker (West Ham), Defoe (Tottenham), Johnson (Crystal Palace).