With the draw just starting and the stage for Euro 2012 now set, right as the draw is set is as good as any to prognosticate which Spurs players are going to star and play for their countries in one of the most illustrious competitions in the world. With only 7 months to go until the elite teams of Europe meet in Poland and the Ukraine to decide the champion of Europe, lets dive in and examine which Spurs players have a chance at playing in the competition, and what kind of impact they can make.
(Predicated on health status)
Definite Squad Members
Kyle Walker - With Glen Johnson not finding the field regularly at Anfield, the three right backs in favor for Capello right now are Chris Smalling, Micah Richards, and Kyle Walker. Walker picked up his first cap for England in a friendly against Spain, subbing in for Scott Parker, and made his first start against Sweden in the next match, picking up Man of the Match. It's likely that two of the three will make the squad, with my money being on Walker and Richards. Walker has gotten by far the most run of the three, and is in the best form of all three. I find it difficult to imagine a 23 man roster without Walker on it for June.
Probable Squad Members
Scott Parker - The very definition of a late bloomer, Parker has made 7 of his 10 international caps for England in the past year. Ever since Capello started playing a 4-3-3 Parker has been the holding midfielder of choice for Capello. With his superb Premier League form and his great form for the national team, the only thing holding me back from proclaiming him a definite for Euro 2012 is age and competition. Gareth Barry has seemed to supplant Parker as the preferred holding mid, and I don't know if Capello will want a 33 year old bench player with limited versatility. With all the competition in the midfield, I could see Parker making the squad but won't call it for certain.
Unlikely Squad Members
Aaron Lennon - The simple matter is, Lennon doesn't do anything that Theo Walcott couldn't do equally or better. They're both blazing down the wing, poor to adequate with their delivery into the box, good on the ball. The issue then becomes why would Capello want two of the same player for right wing, limiting his versatility. Lennon isn't much of a goal scoring threat, and I think this is what will kill him and keep him out of the 23 man side. Adam Johnson and Walcott will be the right wingers of choice on this team. Sorry Aaron.
Slim Chance in Hell Squad Members
Michael Dawson and Ledley King - Dawson is out injured with achilles, but besides that youth has supplanted his spot in the team as Phil Jones and Gary Cahill are better cover in the center. Despite King's resurgence, I don't think Capello is going to gamble on him again after he left the World Cup with injury. King's international career will be over when he isn't picked here, and Dawson will likely become a spot call up from this point on.
Jermain Defoe - 46/15 is not an inspiring goal scoring record, and this will likely also spell the end for Defoe. Wayne Rooney, Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck, Gabby Agbonlahor are almost set in stone as the strikers for Capello.
Tom Huddlestone - Not playing for us, so not playing for England. Getting snubbed will likely cause him to want a move out of Tottenham, unless Levy can convince him he'll get back into the rotation when Parker stops being immense or retires for no reason. He's not in a good situation right now.
Definite Squad Members
Roman Pavlyuchenko - It is simply amazing that the best goal scoring threat for Russia is buried on his league team. There is no chance the man who wears the 9 for Russia will miss Euro barring major injury, and for good reason: he and Aleksandr Kerzakhov are the only consistent goal scoring threats at the top for Russia. Along with Arshavin, they are this teams attack. All the more reason why figures within Russia will be pressuring some teams in the RPL to get Pav into the league at all costs just for the sake of consistent playing time. His bags are already packed.
Definite Squad Members
Luka Modric - It shouldn't even be a question that this man will be on the team barring injury. He is the heart of Croatia, and will largely determine how the team will perform in the competition with his passing and playmaking. Him, Srna, and Kranjcar will lead the Croatian midfield.
Niko Kranjcar - Like Pav, doesn't play for his league team but the depth of the national team means that his talent trumps any possible cover Croatia has. He will be a wild card for Croatia due to his lack of play for Tottenham, and if he can come out on fire it will make Croatia a very deadly team. If he comes out flat then Croatia will funnel almost all of its offense down the right flank of the field, which will spell doom for the teams chances at reaching the knockout rounds.
Vedran Corluka - With the emergence of Kyle Walker, he lost his starting spot for Tottenham and is in the same spot as Kranjcar. He is the second most capped defender that Croatia has, and will be guaranteed to start for the team. He and Josip Simunic will largely be the only class defense Croatia will feature, and headline the weakest part of the team. Corluka and Simunic will have to elevate their play and become Supermen to give Croatia a fighting chance, otherwise will have to pray Eduardo and Ivica Olic become prolific in front of net.
Definite Squad Members
Younes Kaboul - If someone made a bet two years ago that Mamadou Sakho and Younes Kaboul would be the center back pairing to begin Euro 2012, that person would have been laugh at, derided, and could possibly be making a whole lot of money in seven months. Kaboul is having an immense season for Tottenham, finally becoming the player he was expected to be seasons ago. His cover for the team as Dawson, William Gallas, and Ledley King have been unavailable at times has been immeasurable. Sakho is starring for the probable French Champion right now, the probable centerpiece for the French defense this decade, and will likely be assured his spot. Kaboul has competition to be his partner though, in Adil Rami. Both are similar players, and whoever has the best form for their club in 2012 will likely get the nod. A possible dark horse does exist in Laurent Koscielny, but the real competiton will be between Kaboul and Rami.
Slim Chance in Hell Squad Members
William Gallas - Has barely seen the field this year, no caps in a year. His service for France is likely done at this point.
Definite Squad Members
Rafael Van der Vaart - There is no explanation needed, because of this:
CONCLUSIONS:
Projected Best Spurs Performer at 2012: Luka Modric
Probable Top Goal Scorer: Roman Pavlyuchenko
Most Likely to Make a Horrifying Gaffe: Vedran Corluka
Most Likely to Have Best Hair of Tournament: Scott Parker
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