Capello delight as youngsters show promise for the future

Fabio Capello has confirmed Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge will make his England debut against Sweden tomorrow as he prepares to unleash the next wave of promising youngsters who could carry his team through Euro 2012.

After handing first appearances to Jack Rodwell and former Sheffield United defender Kyle Walker in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Spain at Wembley, now it is Sturridge’s turn to press his claims for a place in next summer’s Finals in Poland and Ukraine.

“I need to know the value of the players when they play at Wembley. There is big pressure for all the players here,” said the England coach.

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Having admitted he had taken a risk in leaving John Terry and Wayne Rooney out of his plans to face the world champions, despite the fact Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere were already missing through injury, Capello could take a huge amount of satisfaction from the outcome.

In man of the match Scott Parker and central defensive duo Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott, England erected a formidable barrier Spain found impossible to break down.

The hosts remained diligent in their work, and while the visitors enjoyed the majority of possession, it was not until the latter stages, when David Villa smacked a shot against a post and Cesc Fabregas wasted a couple of good chances, that Spain really threatened.

“Spain are the best team in the world,” said Capello. “They are difficult to play against because they have so much quality.

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“It is impossible to win the ball back off them but the players did what we asked.”

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque made a very similar point.

“The England side are very physical and powerful who carried out their manager’s orders perfectly,” he grumbled.

It was very much a case of damning opponents with rather faint praise.

Yet Capello could counter by asking exactly what were England supposed to do.

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After all, there is no other team in the world who can boast the attacking quality Del Bosque has at his disposal, or rely on the neatness of Xavi and Andres Iniesta to get them out of trouble.

Finding a solution is not easy, as so many teams who have tried to stop Spain and Barcelona over the past few years have discovered.

Capello’s master plan, getting Parker to sit deep and asking Manchester United rookie Phil Jones to press from midfield, was impressive. That England worked so tirelessly to implement it even more so.

“You have to be really compact,” said the England coach. “When you play against Spain or Barcelona it is impossible to go forward. You have to wait. You need to concentrate.”

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In singling out Rodwell, Jones and Danny Welbeck for praise, and confirming Sturridge will take the step up against Sweden, Capello appeared to be giving an indication about where his Euro 2012 squad is heading.

It is certainly set to be vastly different to the squad he named for the World Cup in South Africa.

Only six of the 16 players who got on the pitch Saturday night were involved in that debacle, and Joe Hart did not feature for a single minute, so he can hardly be described as being part of the old guard.

Neither Jagielka nor Lescott were there. However, their collective performance against Spain makes it even less likely Rio Ferdinand will get the chance to play in a European Championships.

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Terry’s return tomorrow will steer attention back towards off-field matters.

Given Jagielka has returned to Everton because of his toe problem, Gary Cahill has been pencilled in to play alongside the England captain who has been selected on the grounds of being “innocent until proven guilty” of the racism claims made against him – claims which the 30-year-old strenuously denies.

However, Jagielka and Lescott have laid down a marker which Capello cannot ignore.

“The two centre-backs played a fantastic game,” he said. “Every time Spain tried to pass through they were in a good position.

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“They played with big confidence. If you play without confidence against Spain it is impossible to get a good result.”

It could in fact be said that the Three Lions are now in their best shape since Euro 2004.

“I remember in my career as a manager, a lot of times I put young players into the team,” Capello said. “You can see when someone plays without fear and with confidence. They play in the same style they play with their teams. When they were with me at a club, they played the same style with the seniors as they had done with the academy. The players who played (against Spain) did the same. I think, from my experience, they are ready.

“This result was really important for the confidence of the team. Rodwell played with confidence and without problems. I know him but I never thought he was so young. It was his first game but he is so ready.

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“Welbeck I know. He is improving every game. He is a really important player. Jones played a good game. It is difficult in this position to win back the ball. I am really happy. I needed to experiment and we found good, young players.”

It is not just Rio Ferdinand who should shudder at such words.

Peter Crouch, Michael Dawson and Jermain Defoe will also wonder what remains of their international careers, while Andy Carroll evidently has work to do if he is to force his way back in.

And, although it is rather bizarre given he scored the winner, but what would happen to Lampard if Wilshere and Steven Gerrard were fit?

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Gareth Barry may have cause for concern too given man of the match Parker is proving himself irreplaceable in the holding role.

“In front of the back four, Parker is really important,” said Capello. “When the centre-backs receive the ball he is the point of reference. After that you can play with two different midfielders or with two midfielders and different forward, it depends upon what I decide when I study the opponents.”

Tomorrow, a Sweden team containing the lauded figure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who have not lost to England in 13 meetings since 1968, present a different test.

“It will be a difficult game,” said Capello. “When you think the opponent is better, you play at the top, with concentration and focus.It is difficult when the other team thinks you are the best. This is the change. I know Sweden. They fill space really well, their movement when they defend and play the counter-attack is good. Now Sweden think we are good. They will want to play better here.”

Jagielka heads home to rest

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Phil Jagielka has been released from England duty and has returned to Everton.

The Football Association confirmed the news last night and were anxious to point out the defender did not suffer any further injury during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Spain at Wembley.

Everton had already been informed Jagielka would return to the club once Saturday’s game was over, providing there was no urgent need for him to stay.

It means the former Sheffield United player can rest the toe injury that has been plaguing him for some time ahead of his side’s Premier League encounter with Wolves on Saturday.

As Gabriel Agbonlahor left the squad after suffering a hamstring injury in training on Thursday, the remaining 23 players in the squad are all expected to train today ahead of tomorrow’s game.