Before last weekend David Beckham looked a certainty to go to the World Cup in South Africa.
The 34 year old's dream of becoming the first England player to play at four World Cups is no longer possible as a ruptured achiles tendon means the England legend faces 6 months on the sideline and will not be fit for the world Cup which commences in June.
Whilst Beckham's age dictated he was likely to be used as a substitute in South Africa his ability to pick a pass, his first rate crossing and masterly at set pieces meant he could be a vital addition to the squad.
Beckham would also have brought experience and leadership; Beckham captained England in their two previous World Cup campaigns and passion for England is respected throughout the game.
His absence offers someone a great opportunity to play in the greatest tournament in sport yet as with England's problems at right back none of the contenders seem worthy.
Aaron Lennon in my opinion is the stand out candidate. His early form for Tottenham this season was outstanding, he was going past players with ease and creating many chances for his teammates. Lennon also seems to have improved his weaknesses previously the 22 year old had been condemned by pundits for his poor quality of final ball but this season he has delivered the end product on a much more regular basis.
Another thing which has impressed me about Lennon is how crucial he has become for his club. Until recently Spurs have looked a less threatening team without him. I remember watching Liverpool play Tottenham at Anfield in January and Tottenham had large spells of possession yet rarely looked threatening this game came at a time when Lennon was injured.Tottenham manager Redknapp deployed Niko Kranjcar and Luca Modoric as his wingers for this game whilst both of them are very talented players who have both put in a handful of great performances this season for Tottenham on this day neither of them were at their best. Modoric and Kranjcar are both very similar players in many ways. Both are Croatian can be deployed in the centre of midfield as well as out wide and both differ from Lennon in the way they're more likely to use skill rather than blistering pace to get past a player. Lennon could have offered his side something different in this game as both Croats were well marshaled in the game and Lennon's pace would have given Liverpool a different problem.
Lennon faces a problem which is becoming a worry now for many of England's players, fitness. Lennon has been out of action for two months with tears in his groin muscles and does not expect to return to from injury til April 17th, giving him at most five competitive league games to prove his fitness.
Theo Walcott occupied the right midfield position for England's last fixture a friendly against Egypt. The Arsenal player has been in and around the England set up ever since his stunning hatrick against Croatia in Zagreb. Yet following appearances have been much more mundane as he struggled to produce another memorable performance.
Walcott like a lot of England has also spent time injured this season and even with his impressive recent form for Arsenal he is not guaranteed to start for his club as Arsenal posses a number of talented players who can occupy his role on the right wing.
Shaun Wright Phillips is another player in with a shout of going to World Cup as a replacement for Beckham. Wright Phillip's form has been allover the place this season with occasional excellence being followed up with poor performances where he fails to impose himself on the game his last appearance for City against Sunderland fell into the second category with Adam Johnson doing more in 18 minutes than Wright Phillips did in 72. This was particularly disappointing considering he was up against Anton Ferdinand a talented yet error prone defender playing out of position at left back.
What counts in Wright Phillip's favour is international experience the 28 year old has played 30 times for his country manging six goals. Being used to representing his country and having the ability to score at international level could make Wright Phillips a valuable impact substitute like Walcott and Lennon Wright Phillips also has explosive pace which could be used effectively to terrorise tired defenders. My main issue with Wright Phillips is that I just don't rate him that highly, this season he has rarely played well for his club and Bellamy and Petrov have both been more effective on the flanks for City I think Wright Phillips is a good Premier League player but I do not think he is good enough for international football.
One issue with potentially taking the three candidates I've mentioned they are all very similar, all three possess an outstanding amount of pace and are quality when running and dribbling with the ball but none of them can cross a ball be counted on to keep the ball in the way Beckham does.
One player who is more similar in style to David Beckham is man who shares his initials, David Bentley the Tottenham winger. Bentley is another flawed choice as he has spent long periods this season on the bench for Tottenham and Han struggled to replicate the form he showed at Blackburn since moving to Tottenham at the start of the 2008 season.
He is however a genuine talent and prior to his move to Tottenham he was a player capable of scoring excellent goals taking a decent freekick and delivering a first class cross. The fact he is a different type of winger to Wright Phillips, Walcott and Lennon could see him gain a surprise call up.
Stuart Downing and Adam Johnson to left footed wingers I would not have initially considered for the World Cup squad may also benefit from Beckham's injury. Johnson caused Anton Ferdinand all sorts of problems when introduced by Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini at the weekend and Downing has been in great form since his return from injury playing for Aston Villa.
I would take (if fit) Aaron Lennon because of the quality of his early season form and Theo Walcott as back up as he produced 1 phenomenal performance for England I don't think any of the other candidates are capable of.
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