With England ‘B’ taking on Belarus tonight, there isn’t a lot of Chelsea interest.
As England warm up for Germany 2006, Sven has resurrected the ‘B’ international scenario with Belarus the opposition. It gives the national coach the chance to test out a few players in a few positions that he may still have question marks against. It also enables Sven to provide some vital match fitness for those who have yet to reach the sharpness a tournament such as the World Cup requires.
Since we’ve become accustomed, in recent years, to Chelsea players forming the backbone of the England side, tonight is something of an anti-climax. However, it would be foolish to suggest that Sven should risk injury to those who are deemed as vital to our World Cup cause.
Nevertheless, the squad will only stretch so far and there is inevitably the need for some of those considered to be first choices to occupy the bench tonight. Joe Cole is one such player, Wayne Bridge is another.
Out of the two, it is more likely that Wayne will be given a chance to play at some point of the game tonight. With Ashley Cole starting, in order to gain much valued match fitness, Wayne, who has also endured his own personal fitness nightmare, should feature during the second half as Sven inevitably makes the plethora of substitutions expected in friendly internationals.
Unless, something extraordinary happens, it is unlikely that we’ll see anything more of Joe than the odd shot of him occupying the bench. Christened recently as the new George Best, by none other than Nobby Stiles, it is fair to say that Joe can now be ranked amongst those as certain to start in Germany.
With Wayne Rooney still uncertain of being fit, it is expected that Joe could well become an influential part of the squad either playing in his familiar wide role or tucking in behind the main striker. Whatever, the future holds for him, it would be criminal for Sven to risk him picking up an injury in what is basically a meaningless friendly.
For those, like myself, who are already suffering from a severe shortage of live football, the kick off is 20:05 with coverage available on Sky television.
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