Carrick to play holding role for England
Carrick to play holding role for England
Also In The News
|
Brazil's Ronaldo has answered his critics with a brace of goals to equal German legend Gerd Muller's World Cup record of 14 goals in his fourth tournament. |  |
Friday, 23, Jun 2006 11:16
Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick could be set to start for England in Sunday’s second-round match against Ecuador.
It is thought that Sven-Goran Eriksson will hand Carrick his first World Cup Finals appearance in a starting berth at the heart of the England midfield, with Owen Hargreaves moving to right-back.
This would mean Jamie Carragher missing out, after the Liverpool man had ably, although unspectacularly, deputised for injured veteran Gary Neville in the previous two group matches against Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago.
Hargreaves himself had impressed in the holding role against the Swedes but was thought by some observers to lack the vision and creativity that was sometimes needed to spark a counter-attack.
These are areas of Carrick’s game that have improved throughout last season with Spurs, as he was an integral part of the team’s push for European football and now England are to come calling for some of the same.
If Carrick is to start, it is the clearest indication yet that Eriksson will opt for a five-man midfield against Ecuador.
Wayne Rooney is likely play as a lone striker up front, with support from Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, who will both be allowed to roam forward at will.
England will take the field on Sunday for the first time since Michael Owen suffered a tournament-ending crucial ligament injury, which will rule him out for at least five months.
Owen’s departure is the main reason for the renewed debate over England’s tactics for the remainder of the tournament.