Sven-Goran Eriksson announces his final squad for the 2002 World Cup.
Has the England boss chosen the right 23?
Kieron Dyer has been named in the England manager's final squad, meaning that Trevor Sinclair returns home.
Dyer was a late addition to the squad after picking up an injury while playing for Newcastle, and is unlikely to be fit enough to feature in England's opening games.
But now Danny Murphy's injury means England only have three fit midfielders in Scholes, Hargreaves and Butt.
Will Eriksson's gamble on Dyer pay off? And how far will England go ?
I cannot see Dyer playing a game in this World Cup. If Sven can replace him fair enough but surely he hasn't played enough football this year to be included.
I believe Lee Bowyer is who most people would have selected a strong, combative midfielder who scores goals just the player to take on the likes of Veron etc.
I agree with the exclusion of Anderton and McManaman, both have done very little for England when given numerous opportunities. I like the look of the squad but we will struggle on the left flank, we have no-one to cause problems to the opposition. At the end of the day we just want the lads to play to their potential.
Jez Goddard, England
Sven Goran Eriksson has done a fantastic job under the present difficult circumstances. I'm not going to question his judgement now.
Simon Jarvis, England
He has no control over the injuries, and got 20 out of 23 right. That makes him better than Hoddle, or Taylor, or Greenwood and about as good as Venables, or Robson. He hasn't as many good players as Venables in 1996 or Robson in 1990. Should have picked Macmanaman, Anderton and Parlour
Chris walker, England
What will happen if England fail to make it to the second round.
Tom Watson, England
Sven Goran Eriksson is without a shadow of a doubt the only man in the whole world who can make any success of the England job. I trust him totally and am disappointed with those England supporters who are already beginning to attack his selections.
England will not win the World Cup in my opinion they will make the last sixteen and probably go out heroically to France - but nevertheless we have made huge strides under him. If he decides to stay, England's real potential, bar injuries, will be seen in the competitions in 2004 and 2006.
Andy Myers, England
Send back Sinclair, Dyer, Heskey and Brown and send someone who can play. Let bygones be bygones and send for Bowyer and give Alan Thompson a chance as he is the best English left sided midfielder.
Jay, England
Frank Lampard should have been in the England squad. Trevor Sinclair, Owen Hargreaves, Danny Murphy, Nicky Butt?? Give us a break! Lampard is head and shoulders above all of them.
Garry Coyne, Ireland
Is there some secret 'behind the scenes' problem between Eriksson and McManaman? I cannot think why else he has been excluded from the squad.
Anna Maria, Germany
Sven's squad selection is, on the whole, satisfactory. It's a well thought out decision that attempted to strike a delicate balance between "youth" and "experience."
Yihenew Zewdie,
England/Ethiopia
Now that Murphy is crocked as well, is it time for McManaman to be recalled?
If Eriksson believes that a member of the U21 squad is better then it is time for him to resign.
Si, UK
Aren't we all getting just a little carried away with this? Dyer has played one game before now under Eriksson but the way people keep going on about it you'd think he was England Lynch-pin. Gerrard was a MUCH more important player and no one seems bothered that he's not there.
Martin,
Britain
Does it matter if the decision is right? 90% of the nation does not expect us to progress further than the qualifying group, and whether we win, lose or draw, there will be someone scrutinising Sven's squad decision. Joe Cole, Bridge, etc are fine examples of quality players being able to handle the pressure and talent of International football. They have taken it on the chin, and done well!
Sven can get the best from anyone, and no matter where we finish, I am sure our boys will have given it their best, as will Sven.
Kevin Bowskill, England
Sven-Goran Eriksson should return the whole England squad back home because he has too many injury's in the team for us to reach the World Cup final.
With Danny Murphy injured our chances are now hopeless.
Sven shouldn't ask David Platt for some under 21 player's to join the senior team as they are just far too young to be able to handle all the other senior team's players.
Chris Smith, England
Is Sven already making sure he has excuses for when the squad will under-perform? "I had to fight the battle with injured players"
Kewlyt,
UK
I know he has had issues off the field but I still find it hard to believe that Lee Bowyer hasn't been included . He is exactly what the team needs , a little strength and versatility and he gets goals . As for playing Heskey in midfield well I do not understand that at all. Jermaine Defoe and Matt Jansen both deserved places ahead of Heskey and Vassel.
Darren,
England
Sven has so far proved that he is willing to take gambles. His comment "we have to destroy Sweden" already shows his commitment and will to succeed as England manager.
He has mixed the old with the new to finally put the building blocks in place for a strong England future. Owen Hargreaves was a doubtful choice for the England team but his performance against the Koreans showed that he deserves a place. His 23 is just about the best we have to offer at the moment. He has chosen those in form and those used to pressure of big games.
Edward Hotchkin,
Netherlands.
With a squad of 23 there are going to be quite a few players who are unlikely to play any part at all, such as Murphy and, if he had been picked, Sinclair. Much better to take Joe Cole and Kieron Dyer as 'calculated gambles'. Joe Cole could come on for the last 20-30 minutes in each game and make a difference and if Dyer is fit for only the last game then that's better than a fully fit Sinclair sitting on the sidelines(especially if we need a win to progress). I think Sven's made the right decision.
Jen,
UK
Sven has done what he can. The first eleven will pick themselves based on their quality. There are some debatable squad members but all are young, hungry and will work for their country. Talent alone won't get us through. I say we should stop criticising and support. Good luck Sven and the boys!
Rob, England
There will always be difficult decisions to make and Sven has made them well in the past. We have to get behind his selection as he has to make the decision based on how the team plays as a whole. McManaman is perhaps a surprise, but if he doesn't suit the way Sven wants to play then we have to respect his judgement.
Phil,
England
Eriksson has picked a really good team for the World Cup with Beckham and Owen up front, Heskey in midfield and Ferdinand defending. We are sure to win. All the best lads!
Natasha Dornan, England
With an injury ridden midfield it's amazing that McManaman was not picked. He trains and plays with some of the best players in the world and as a result has a better level of knowledge of overseas teams. A loss that will be evident from kick off.
Ben Hawkins,
Australia
It is ludicrous to take the injured Dyer in addition to the crocked Beckham and Butt. Steve McManaman is a proven quantity, the best dribbler we have (in fact the only dribbler of any note) and crucially is 100% fit. How Sinclair can be ahead of him in the pecking order is a total mystery. Macca must be crying into his sangria.
Nick B, Australia
Goalies - don't have a problem with them. Defenders - if we can avoid using Brown and Mills, we'll be fine. Midfielders - Let's hope Beckham is fit, but I can see Joe Cole working hard but not making much of an impact. Strikers - Oh my god. Owen aside, we are going to struggle. Is this really the best we've got?
Robert Bramble, UK
I'm a Newcastle, fan but I cannot understand why an unfit Dyer is selected ahead of an in-form Sinclair. Neither player has a fantastic amount of international or European experience, but surely in these circumstances the fit player goes.
Beckham has no peers, but Dyer will have his time in 2006. This is Sinclair's chance, and probably his first and only crack at a World Cup.
David Snow, England
Dyer should not be going - we'll be lucky if he's fit for the Nigeria game, and it could be all over by then. Parlour should be there instead, with McManaman in place of Murphy.
John, London
I believe the inclusion of Darius Vassell and Joe Cole displays Eriksson's commitment to young players willing to improve, and also gives them a chance to shine on the world stage. Where was it after all that Gazza made his name? Well done Sven!
Dan, Swaziland
Having seen Dyer at St James', I can safely say that he has the pace, skill and class to rip apart any defence in the world. Let's all get behind him, as Dyer will be able to make that difference for England this summer if he gets his chance.
Daniel Jeffries, England
I would tend to agree with Tony (below) that the squad as a whole looks remarkably average, and will do well to get to the second round.
I think the criticism of Wes Brown is perhaps a little exaggerated, and in any case, the inclusion of a determined yet technically lacking Man Utd player will give the English tabloid press a useful scapegoat when we get the sound beating that's looking fairly inevitable at some stage.
Damian, England
Sven has done an excellent job for England, but naming Dyer was one of his first mistakes. Dyer struggles down the left side and hasn't played enough football for club or country.
Rich Hayter, UK
Dyer is a risk but Sven has made the right decision - Sinclair is just not up to it. We need to stop the complaining and bickering now and get behind the lads 100%.
Kevin Sheal, UK in USA
No Ray Parlour? A player that can play at right back, right wing or either central midfield positions (with aplomb) and has Champions League experience isn't needed by England?
His contribution for Arsenal this season was phenomenal - the wins at Anfield, Old Trafford and Cardiff stand out in particular. Skill, athleticism, experience and a mantelpiece full of medals obviously aren't enough to get you into the England squad - you need a media bandwagon instead.
Iwan, UK
The more I look at the England squad the more average it looks. There are two world-class players in Beckham and Owen and a few potential world-class players in Ferdinand and Scholes.
Apart from that, the rest of them are good and average club players. I have a horrible feeling that we won't qualify from the group, and if we do the French will embarrass us.
Tony,
UK
Clearly Kieron Dyer is an indispensable world-class player, without whom the English Team would be greatly weakened. Any observer at St James' Park this year would have marvelled at his superior pace, incisive running and lethal finishing. His selection could be a seminal moment in our country's football history!
Tim Brown, England, London
There are too many injury risks already in the squad, without adding to the list by choosing Dyer over a fully fit Sinclair. Sinclair has been under a cloud in Korea because he was always likely to be sent home, so no wonder he's not been as free as he is with his club.
Sending him home was the wrong decision, and I would have kept him on. He's worked hard for the squad, and deserves better than being tossed aside like this.
Dyer isn't fit, won't be fit, and should never have flown out. He is yet another liability for the squad, and another ready-made excuse for Sven when we lose to Sweden, Argentina and Nigeria. Hope the tickets home are transferable, boys.
Paul, UK
The rest of the world is breathing a sigh of relief as England name an 18-man squad! Dyer should not be going to the World Cup with his injury, and I feel that Trevor Sinclair was the better choice anyway because of the way he plays and the goals he can score and supply. Remember, he has played on the left wing for West Ham for most of the season as well.
Damian,
Ireland
Can someone tell me why Defoe is not in the World Cup squad? I know he is on standby if anything happens to the other strikers, but he should surely be here instead of Heskey.
Guy Panting,
England
I have severe reservations about Dyer and Wes Brown.
Both players are poor at international level, especially Brown, whose performance on Tuesday to change my mind. He is poor defensively, and gives the ball away to easily. As Dyer is injured and not match fit, he poses a big risk - especially if he gets injured again in the group stage. Not very wise choices.
David,
England
Having seen England play in four World Cups, this current squad seems by far the weakest of the five. There is a real lack of international experience along both flanks, we look very weak in both full-back positions and the problem left midfield position is still a massive problem.
Let's hope Owen is on form, because we are going to need a lot of goals to progress. My prediction is one point and last place in the group.
Nigel Matthews, England
I'm not sure whether I would have included Danny Mills - he could be more trouble than he is worth on the field. I would have included McManaman in the squad; even though he hasn't come good for England in the past he is too good to leave at home.
I cannot understand how Dyer has got into the squad. He was poor against Paraguay and has been poor for Newcastle since is return. But all in all I think he's done what he can with what he has to work with. I trust him.
Tony Hart, England
It seems to me that Sven has concentrated more on the back, but the only player he should kick out is Danny Mills. His temper on the field may cost England deeply - I would rather pick Carragher.
I also think that the inclusion of Sheringham is right. Sheringham's skills and experiences may prove vital if Michael Owen is unable to play.
Leo Choi,
Australia
People have criticised the number of defenders over the number of forwards. Let's not forget that in midfield we have a number of goal scorers - including Scholes, Dyer, Beckham and, to a lesser degree, Gerrard.
We also have attacking defenders in Ashley Cole, Wayne Bridge and Danny Mills. If there were plenty of injuries, the one area of the pitch that must remain stronger is defence.
Man Utd have shown this year that you cannot rely on scoring more goals than your opponents. All successful teams are based around defence - now we must see if our defence is strong enough.
Rups, UK
I think Sven has got it almost right. The only choice I would have opted for would have been Trevor Sinclair in midfield, as opposed to Danny Mills. My suspicion is that at some point in the tournament Sven is going to use five at the back, employing wing-backs - and his squad possibly reflects that.
Whatever the case, let's not forget that England are in a difficult group, and even with the best that we have it's going to be a tough one to get through.
If I was Sven, I would employ Ashley Cole on the left side of midfield with Bridge behind him (problem solved!), but we wish him the best for Japan/Korea 2002.
Dudley Hanciles,
England
What's going on? A 38-year-old Goalkeeper, a 35-year-old Striker who has done nothing this season and another Striker who for some reason can not stay on his feet! Good Luck Sven, because I think we might need it.
Phil Wyatt, England
The inclusion of Joe Cole in the squad gives me heart that English football is back on the right track. Great young players can now expect to be selected if they demonstrate that they can learn from their mistakes.
The squad is a decent blend of youth, players in their prime and some experienced old heads.
Peter, Australia
Emile Heskey is overrated and should not be in the squad. Andy Cole is a proven goal scorer and should have been included - what if Michael Owen gets injured? Who's going to score the goals that England will need to progress?
Darren Clegg, England
I had to laugh when I heard the squad announced. Brown, Mills, Vassell - players that carry England's world cup hopes? I don't think so. Enjoy your summer holiday lads, because you will be back sooner rather than later.
Jeremiah Ellison,
Wales
