Happy Provisional Roster Day Everybody! Many of the rosters have been announced and posted in the Group threads. How about some discussion here. Early observation shows England searching a bit. There's surprise that Scholes couldn't be talked out of retirement, Zamora didn't make it, Hargreaves isn't healthy enough, and Carragher is back for the first time since 2007. Injured players seem to be a theme, which is nice for the US fans among us. Portugal brought Pepe who hasn't played since around the time that Onyewu went out. Essien got a call from Ghana and there are others. The US will be hoping that Onyewu is ready, Edu stays healthy, and Holden's efforts with Bolton are an indicator of health. And that's all before the Charlie Davies thoughts and dreams. I'm also tracking the prediction I made when posting Australia's roster that no other country will have so few domestic based players. The Socceroos brought one A-Leaguer in.
Here are the rosters I haven't found yet by group: A - Mexico, France B - Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic C - Algeria, USA (announced in 24 minutes) D - Serbia E - F - Paraguay, Slovakia G - Brazil, Korea DPR H - Chile I've heard about Brazil's roster. No Ronaldinho, no Adriano, no Neymar. Just don't know who Dunga did bring. EDIT - Diego was snubbed too.
Brazil Squad: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham); Maicon (Inter Milan), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (Roma), Luisao (Roma), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Michel Bastos (Lyon); Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Josue (Wolfsburg), Elano (Galatasaray), Ramires (Benfica), Kleberson (Flamengo), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma); Robinho (Santos/Manchester City), Nilmar (Villarreal), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Grafite (Wolfsburg).
Just posted that in the Group thread. A - Mexico, France B - Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic C - Algeria D - Serbia E - F - Paraguay, Slovakia G - Korea DPR H - Chile That's what's still missing.
I'm happy with Capello's choices. Not sure what you mean, CK. Who else could be been chosen besides Michael Owen, Beckham, Zamora, and Young (biggest omission for me)? I would choose Hart in-goal (won't happen), Cole and Johnson at left and right back, Ferdinand and Terry at the back with Dawson and Upson as cover. Milner on the left, Gerrard and Lampard in the centre with Gerrard a little pushed up and Walcott on the wing. Then I'd choose Rooney and Crouch up-front.
