Eriksson makes defensive decision
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has picked his centre-half pairing for the friendly with Argentina in Geneva but would not reveal his decision.
Rio Ferdinand or Sol Campbell will line-up alongside John Terry at the heart of England’s defence and Eriksson admitted he is currently spoilt for choice when selecting centre-backs.
“I have spoken to one of them telling him he will sit on the bench and he took it very well,” Eriksson told Sky Sports News.
Ledley King, who played as a defensive midfielder against Poland and could do so again against Argentina, and Jamie Carragher offer competition to Terry, Ferdinand and Campbell as would Jonathan Woodgate should he recover from his injury problems.
“It’s very good to have three or four extremely good centre-halfs, possibly the best in the world,” said the Swede. “It is up to me and my coaching staff to look at them game-by-game and see who is in the best form.”
Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge seems set to start tomorrow’s match in the absence of Ashley Cole, who has a foot injury, and Eriksson is not worried about the player’s lack of match fitness following his recent return from injury.
“I don’t think it’s a gamble,” insisted Eriksson, “but I also don’t think he is ready for 90 minutes so he will probably be taken off at a certain point.
“He is one of those players who I hope will come to the World Cup. He is important to us.”
King impressed against the Poles in England’s final World Cup qualifier and Eriksson hinted strongly that he will have the chance to anchor the midfield again.
“If we choose to play with one more defensive midfielder tomorrow I think it would be a very good occasion to do it. Every game he (King) has played for England he has done an excellent job for us.”
Eriksson is relishing locking horns with an Argentina side lying second in FIFA’s world rankings – “it will be a good test for us and them” – and repeated his claim that England are “one of five or six countries” who are capable of winning the tournament next summer, adding the rider that “you need to be lucky”.
