England hopefuls show up in ratings
The majority of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England squad for the World Cup may be predictable but there are still places to be played for.
There is little doubt that, fitness permitting, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney will lead the line but the identity of the back-up strikers is not yet from cut and dried.
Liverpool’s Peter Crouch did reasonably well when given his chance last autumn but his recent club form has hardly been impressive and he may have a little more to prove before his place for Germany is confirmed.
Jermain Defoe also has a battle on his hands due to his limited opportunities at Tottenham.
The pacy Spurs forward has found the net a couple of times lately after Mido’s African Nations Cup duty allowed him more outings but he must still fight with the Egyptian and Robbie Keane for games.
They probably remain the most likely choices but their travails have at least allowed others a chance to stake a claim.
The two forwards to have most caught the eye of late are West Ham’s Marlon Harewood and Charlton’s Darren Bent.
Harewood grabbed two as the Hammers overpowered Birmingham to move sixth in the Barclays Premiership last night and Bent gave Liverpool a torrid time in a shock win at The Valley a week ago.
Their form is recognised by the Actim Index, the official ratings system of the Barclays Premiership.
Harewood’s performances have seen him rise to sixth in the ratings, making him the top-ranked English striker while Bent has moved up to 10th, just a place behind Rooney.
Their positions compare favourably to those of Defoe (35th) and Crouch (119th). Bent has 16 goals in all competitions for the season with Harewood having claimed 12.
The next highest English striker is Manchester City’s Darius Vassell in 23rd and his team-mate Andy Cole is 25th. Owen, who has not played in 2006 due to injury, is 108th.
The most effective striker in the Premiership, however, remains Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Dutchman, who scored in the 3-1 defeat of Portsmouth last weekend, is now top of the Actim ratings having supplanted long-time leader Frank Lampard.
