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G6 Team Profile: ENGLAND
We’ve all heard it a million times: “England won the World Cup in 1966.” Yeah, well, what have they done in the past 40 years? Answer: consistently underachieved. Is this the year? Can England overcome historical pressure and injury concerns to break through to the title?
In all fairness, England has played some outstanding games in recent years, but in big tournaments they seem to fall apart at crucial moments (examples: vs. Argentina in 1998 and Brazil in 2002).
England continues to produce some of the greatest players in the history of the game so there is no denying the amount of talent available to coach Seven-Goran Eriksson. Individual talent doesn’t make a great team, however, and Eriksson has the tough job of pulling together a squad that really "clicks."
Much will rest on the shoulders of superstar midfield playmaker David Beckham (Real Madrid). Sure, Beckham gets lots of press for things not related to soccer but let’s face it, the guy is good. Real good. He’s the team captain and he can handle pressure and adapt his game to any situation.
But the real key to the team depends the health of gifted young forward Wayne Rooney (Manchester United). Is it possible for Rooney to make a miraculous return from a foot injury, only time will tell. England also have Michael Owen (Newcastle) out front, but their other strikers are young and untested in such an monumental international environment.
Joining Beckham in the midfield look for Frank Lampard (Chelsea), third in voting for 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year, and the lion-hearted Steven Gerrard (Liverpool). John Terry (Chelsea) is establishing himself as a true world-class player on the back line.
Whether or not Rooney makes a triumphant return, England must now turn to the task at hand. If the nation hopes to win another World Cup this could be their best shot for quite some time.
Comments
ENGLAND WILL NOT WIN
BRAZIL WILL FOR SURE
Posted by: SOCCER | May 17, 2006 10:15 PM
This is England's year!!!
Posted by: Josue | May 17, 2006 11:14 PM
England has a fair chance of winning, provided they don't disappoint as they've done many times in the past.
Posted by: Harindran | May 18, 2006 09:45 AM
england will win this war for sure
Posted by: Anonymous | May 18, 2006 12:18 PM
I think England will win. ENGLAND all the way
Posted by: kevin | May 18, 2006 12:42 PM
If England is to go far, one question needs to be answered. Not knowing when Rooney will be available, who will put the ball in the net?
Posted by: ForzaItalia | May 18, 2006 12:50 PM
HOLLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: john | May 19, 2006 04:27 PM
brazil
Posted by: brazil | May 19, 2006 07:07 PM
I am completely for England. I admit that Brazil will win, but England has a chance. I am not so wure about Holland.
Posted by: i dont know | May 20, 2006 03:57 PM
US will beat us
Posted by: ronaldo | May 20, 2006 04:15 PM
No matter if Rooney returns or not I think England can win this year!
Posted by: bob | May 20, 2006 10:02 PM
i thing england have many good players, but to win in world cup still dificult because brazil have best player. ex ronaldinho, ronaldo, robinho, kaka, etc.
Posted by: roy chandra barus | May 21, 2006 01:56 PM
gloorryyyyyyyyyyyy
england is the best team in this world and i bilive england the winner this year because england is all star
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha h
Posted by: flash benk | May 21, 2006 02:05 PM
U.S. will beat Brazil in the finals 2-0
Posted by: Derrick | May 21, 2006 06:33 PM
Holland will win the World Cup, and they will play brazil in the finals. holland will win 2-1 in the finals
Posted by: holland11 | May 21, 2006 08:21 PM
england has a bad offense. theo walcott is a loser from arsenal who hasn't played one pro game in his career. rooney and owen will both be injured.
Posted by: manutd fan | May 21, 2006 08:26 PM
france is so overrated. they may have henry and viera but they are not getting past the group stage. the koreans and the swiss will get to the next round.
Posted by: holland11 | May 21, 2006 08:31 PM
with open mind i asure that england team we lead the trophy at 2006 fifa world cup, i know they they a have the best players, even if they come across a big team like brazil,agentina,german e.t.c they will definitely overcome them.
Posted by: Afolabi Sodiq | May 22, 2006 10:47 AM
Well those are some interesting comments. England, are they good enough to win the world cup with out rooney. In my opinion yes. They probably have the best defense in the whole tournament, along with a very durable and stable midfield in cole, gerrard, lampard, and beckham. And with michael owen healthy, who knows what he could do. So i would for sure look out for england in germany. with a favorable group, anything can happen.
Posted by: Brandon | May 25, 2006 12:15 PM
England is the favorite this year and i declare that they will win it.
England the best!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mark Immanuel | June 1, 2006 06:57 AM
england will NOT win. they have amazing individual players but they don't play that well as a team. usa has a better chance then england by far. btw holland has no chance!
GO USA!!!!!!!
Posted by: usa fan | June 1, 2006 12:50 PM
England stinks and Ivory Coast will win the cup. Drogba will score 30 goals!
Posted by: yo mama | June 1, 2006 05:26 PM
Just getting out of the group stage would be a great achievement for the Ivory Coast.
Posted by: ForzaItalia | June 1, 2006 05:33 PM
you r wrong
Posted by: yo mama | June 1, 2006 05:57 PM
drogba is terrible and ivory coast is terrible. get over yourself yo mama!
Posted by: brandon | June 2, 2006 10:59 AM
although brazil has all the world class players a team can hold, they may be too attack oriented and have problems in the back, this may be englands best chance to claim the cup, with their midfielders in top form their is no reason why england cant escape their group and make it to the finals, though most likely w/out wayne rooney, peter crouch has stepped up during friendlies and may be the surprise player of the tournament, maybe not but if he can not be so goofy that would help, their back line seems to be shaping up w/ john terry and rio ferdinand, sol campbell could be the key component, although he will not start he provides key advice and leadership to the backs and his experience will help calm the nerves of the backs, the midfield is spectacular and can rival that of brazil, the key component to the world cup though is a great keeper, england has one in Paul Robinson, he was amazing for tottenham this year and has shown he can make big saves in qualifying and in the friendlies leading up to the tourney, maybe england can erase all the problems they have had in past cups and win the cup
Posted by: go england | June 6, 2006 02:36 AM
I love English soccer. In my opinion that's how soccer is supposed to be played.if they fall they get right back up unlike other teams. I love Beckham, who doesn't. He plays so relaxed yet beautiful. love him. I believe they might have a chance.
Posted by: truth | June 23, 2006 03:11 AM
England is awsome. plus Beckham is hot!
Posted by: truth | June 28, 2006 05:59 PM
koe ki main elek bianget le.dhanchuk'i
Posted by: bagus | July 8, 2006 12:51 AM
I love watching England play. They are just a really fun team to watch. Especially because they have David Beckham on their team.
Posted by: ♥ Soccr Luvr ♥ | July 15, 2006 11:45 PM