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Will he ever play for England again?

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Earlier this week the Euro 2012 preliminary squad was announced and on this list of 23 players were the names Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing. Many fans were confused with the selection of the two Liverpool players who have underperformed this season, especially with the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Peter Crouch, who have both had very successful seasons, being left out of the squad. Sturridge did make it to the back-up squad list which included another Liverpool player Jordan Henderson and Manchester City midfielder Adam Johnson. Though it was a brave and rather controversial list from current England manager Roy Hodgson, there are many different styles in which the squad

chosen will be able to play, so there is potential for Roy to mix and match between different philosophies. However, while at the pick ‘n’ mix stand, though Roy took a range of players with many different styles, he didn’t take a look at Carlton Cole.

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Carlton Cole has had a successful season for the Hammers, often leading the front line even though the likes of Nicky Maynard, Sam Baldock and John Carew are in the squad. The former Chelsea academy graduate has scored 14 goals this season

to help the Hammers into the playoff places. Cole has won 7 caps for England, however he has never scored while wearing the Three Lions shirt and has failed to win a cap since 2010, where he played against Egypt on the third of March. With Fabio Capello gone and a new era of English football on the horizon, will Cole ever play for England again?

There was much speculation this season regarding Grant Holt and a possible call up to Roy’s England side. Grant Holt has enjoyed a very successful season with Norwich this season. The 6 foot striker, who started his career at Workington and Halifax town, has scored 15 goals for The Canaries and has been subject to much praise from the media and from fans. He has played in all four divisions of English football, finally making it into the Premier League this season, at the age of 30. The powerful target man has been essential to Norwich’s successful season in the top flight, playing alongside former Millwall striker Steve Morrison. However, in my view, if we had taken Holt to the Euro’s, it would be a step backwards. This summer’s tournament should be about revitalising the England team, taking forward a new philosophy and bringing in vibrant young talent. By taking Holt, we would have been acting against everything we are trying to achieve.

 

 

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Carlton Cole scored the same number of goals as Holt this season, which begs the question, why did no one mention Cole when the speculation was still surrounding the England squad for this summer’s tournament? I think it is partly to do with the fact that Cole has been playing in the Championship this season, whereas Holt was playing in the Premier League, up against some of the best defenders in the world. Cole must be desperate the return to the top flight with the Hammers to try and revitalise his England career, before it’s too late.

Whether the big Hammers striker is a better forward than Holt is questionable and also one might add that it is difficult to say what Cole could offer to the England side which other strikers, such as Andy Carroll could not. They both play as target men and both have different qualities, however Carroll has the potential to be a very good player, were as Cole needs to prove that he can still perform at the highest level to regain a place in the England squad.

Will Cole ever play for England again? Tweet me @TollyCoburn

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2 comments

  • Bomber25 says:

    With Roy Hodgson in charge he has a very good chance of playing for England again.

  • Brad says:

    As much as he has become a ‘West Ham Legend’ in the last 38 hours, he has no chance of playing for his country again. Not really good enough for the Premier League, let alone his country.

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