Hammers for England?

Last updated : 13 February 2002 By Mike Reich
Sven Goran-Eriksson picked three Hammers for the England squad to face Holland tonight, but the big question, and the one on everyone's lips is who will make the final cut to get on the plane to South Korea and Japan?

Of the three Hammers chosen for the latest squad, only Joe Cole and David James are left, with Trevor Sinclair having withdrawn due to illness. We take a look at the Upton Park players who may get a chance to go:


Michael Carrick

Had he been fit, doubtless Michael would have been included in Sven's latest squad, but he is currently recovering following a recent double hernia operation. He is due to be back in training in about 4 weeks or so, and that should be ample time for him to regain his fitness, and more importantly match-sharpness so that he still has a decent chance of making the cut.

Michael put in a string of consistent performances earlier this season, and it was only his injury that has prevented him from carrying on his impressive form. His mature style of play has caught the eye of Eriksson and Tord Grip enough to give him two caps already.

WestHammersFC verdict: Going to the World Cup (injury permitting)


Joe Cole

Everyone has something to say about Joe Cole, and it appears that Sven holds him in the same regard as Harry Redknapp and Glenn Roeder:

"Joe Cole is a very special player," said Sven. "He can make a difference to a game, even today.

"A lot of people talk about what his best position is…I have been very impressed when I have seen him play in the centre of midfield for West Ham this season.

"I think he has been passing well, become more disciplined and has grown in his football mentality."

In tonight's friendly, Joe has a chance to cement his place in Sven's squad. He is without doubt a player for the future, and the experience will be invaluable to him as a player - but his level of involvement at this World Cup is yet to be decided it seems. Suggestions of Joe being a super-sub at this tournament, with the ability to come off the bench and change a match, might not be too far off the mark.

WestHammersFC verdict: A uniquely skilled player who is on the brink of the England squad - he'll go.


Jermain Defoe

Jermain has played 27 games for the Hammers so far this season, netting 10 goals, and with just 9 U21 caps and 5 goals to his name, he has only an outside chance of making the grade for this tournament.

Although acknowledged by both peers and pundits as a class act in front of goal, he doesn't really have the experience at the top level to get more than a look in. Michael Ricketts and Darius Vassell were included in Sven's latest experimental squad, and with Jermain being an absentee, it seems a final confirmation that he is out of the running.

In light of what happened to Michael Owen after being included in the England set-up so early at 1998 World Cup, it could be a blessing in disguise for Jermain. He will almost certainly play some part in the next European Championships, but there are too many people ahead of him in the pecking order this time.

WestHammersFC verdict: Jermain improves his goalscoring record with the U21s


David James

Of all the Hammers in the England set-up, David is the player with most experience - albeit with only five caps. David has been a model of consistency this season, conceding very few goals, with Chelsea and Leeds away being more poor defending than poor keeping.

His distribution has been good, and has inspired confidence in the Irons defence, especially at Upton Park.
With David Seaman injured, he has his chance to grap the No 1 jersey tonight, although he faces stiff competition from Nigel Martyn. With time on his side, being four years junior to the Leeds stopper, Sven may pick James as a goalie for the next championship too.

WestHammersFC verdict: James is already a member of the squad


Trevor Sinclair

Having been given his first cap this season, Trevor submitted a transfer request to Glenn Roeder, stating that he wanted more European football to further his England chances. He officially announced his withdrawal of his request earlier this month, much to the jubilation of many Hammers fans.

Whether this had anything to do with the upcoming England matches is pure speculation, but Tricky has put in some great performances this season, with some goals to boot, including a possible goal of the season.

With injury plaguing his last season when Tord Grip announced England's interest in the Hammers midfielder, he finally gained his first cap under Sven, playing on the left hand side of the park - a problematic position for all recent England bosses.

With Glenn handing that position to Trevor for West Ham this season, he kept himself in the England squad for tonight's match, only for illness to rule him out.

WestHammersFC verdict: Trev to gain more caps this summer in Asia