Who will walk with Rooney and the Three Lions?

With just under two months to go until the World Cup, Fabio Capello must be whittling down his list of strikers to accompany Wayne Rooney in attack.

Providing Rooney keeps free of any nightmare injuries from now until June, his seat is very safe on the plane to South Africa. He’s scored 26 league goals in 29 appearances and been in the form of his life. If Rooney plays well in South Africa, then England will play well. His power on the ball, ability to pick out a pass, shooting ability and teamwork is on another level and he is passionate about playing for his country. Are England better when Rooney’s on his own up front with Gerrard supporting as a second striker from behind, or can we get more out of Wayne when he has a designated strike partner?

Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey has, for a while, been Fabio Capello’s favoured option. Capello believes that Heskey offers experience and some say he gets the best out of Rooney. Heskey’s a valuable asset for the team if he can increase the performance of another player, but I am more concerned about his lack of goals in the Premier League this season.

Surely what England need is another front man that can score goals. Jermain Defoe has scored 17 goals so far this season and is a likely candidate to go to South Africa. He possesses good pace and a deadly finish, and would be a useful sub to bring on due to his predatory instincts in front on goal. However his ability to work with Rooney may not be as promising as his Tottenham teammate, Peter Crouch.

The 6 ft 6¾ forward has the ability to hold up the ball and nod down lethal passes to Rooney’s path and he can also cause opposition back lines a nightmare as they simply haven’t come up against a striker of Crouch’s nature before. Crouch has a sublime touch and is extremely good with the ball at his feet for a player that looks awkward. He’s a proven goal scorer for England, scoring twice in the last friendly against Egypt, and I think the gangly goal getter has what it takes to don the three lions in June.


Other noteworthy candidates are Carlton Cole, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Bobby Zamora and once a dead cert for England, Michael Owen.

West Ham may have been struggling this season but one man that has called out for a place in the England team is the Hammer’s number 12. Carlton Cole is a strong, versatile front man and due to his similar abilities, I can see Cole being a good replacement to Emile Heskey. However, Cole hasn’t played many games at International level, and it could be too much of a gamble to go with an inexperienced player.


That brings me on to Aston Villa’s pacey forward, Gabriel Agbonlahor. Gabby’s been on good form this season and has bagged 14 goals in all competitions. His electric pace could be a useful weapon when we’re struggling in extra time, but having made only 3 appearances for England, he doesn’t posses the experience at this level; he’ll be another useful substitute without doubt.

Bobby Zamora is finishing the season in emphatic style, showing his case as to why he should go to the World Cup. Zamora has been key to Fulham’s good form of late and their success in the Europa League. He scored an exquisite goal in just 28 seconds against Wolfsburg to put his team through to the semi finals and that was just an example of his expert finishing. Zamora has pulled his weight in the Premier League, but it could prove as a wildcard if he was selected, as there isn’t much time for him to settle in to the team. I’d like to see him play in the friendly against Mexico to see if he’s up for international football.

Last on my list of candidates would have been the injury prone Michael Owen. The United number 7 has been a vital member of the England team in the past, but hasn’t cut the mustard in recent times. Owen has vast experience of playing in big tournaments so would have been a useful asset to the team if he hadn't ruptured his hamstring, so there's no chance he'll score a goal like the one against Argentina in ’98.

My favourite for the position would have to be Peter Crouch, have your say below.