Poor Peter Crouch. It was no secret that he and Capello never always saw eye to eye so the Stoke striker must have been jumping for joy when the Italian resigned with months to go until Euro 2012.
The journeyman forward soon stepped up his form, netting a goal of the season contender against eventual Premier League champions Manchester City at Britannia Stadium, volleying in from 25 yards.
Career over? Will Crouch ever play for England again?
King of the robot dance, Crouch, played 41 times for the Potters this season during their very busy schedule, finding the net on 14 occasions, six of which came in the last 14 games this season. Surely it was a no brainer to include this man in the squad for the Euros?
Yet the man previously considered to be a Liverpool flop, Andy Carroll, was picked instead after a decent end to the campaign. Other Liverpool players have taken the place of those surely more worthy of a spot on the plane to Poland? You only have to look at the addition of Glen Johnson ahead of Micah Richards and the baffling decision to include Jordan Henderson as a backup instead of Michael Carrick to see that. Oh, not to mention Stewart Downing…
Overlooked: Title winner Micah Richards
I wouldn’t be adverse to taking both Crouch and Carroll (ahead of Defoe perhaps?), but if you are to take just one then surely a proven international striker is a must, especially when they are also in such fine form for their club.
Aged 31, Crouch still may have a chance to force his way back into Roy’s plans and add to the 22 goals his has for England in his 42 caps. But with up and coming youngsters Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, Carroll and Theo Walcott all playing for more illustrious clubs, you have to think it will be tough especially when he can’t even get recognition in this form.
Who knows, Andy Carroll and Jermain Defoe may forge a deadly partnership in the first two games and lead England to Euro 2012 glory!
