mawspurs
21-05-2010, 07:41 PM
Source: Give Me Football
Tottenham coach and former England striker Les Ferdinand believes Ledley King – one of six Spurs players in Fabio Capello’s preliminary England squad - would be a perfect replacement for the recovering Gareth Barry should the Manchester City man miss out.
"I think if Ledley King was playing week in week out he would be a starter for England," Ferdinand said. "We have always been crying out for a ball-playing centre half and that's what Ledley is. As well as being that, I think what he does offer Capello is the opportunity to play him in front of the back four if needs be.
"If Barry doesn't make it then Ledley can play in that role, without a shadow of a doubt,” added Ferdinand, who is proud of the fact that Jermain Defoe, Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon and Peter Crouch have also made Capello’s initial 30-man squad.
Of Defoe’s dip in form towards the end of the season, Les says: “It was a bit of concern that he wasn't scoring. Capello shouldn't have any fears about taking him though. He's watched him quite a lot this year.
"He came to a lot of Spurs games at the end of the season. He's seen enough of him to know that he is always capable of scoring goals. There's certain players that are guaranteed a spot and I'd like to think that Jermain is one of them.
“He’s been through an unfortunate phase but when he gets back amongst the goals, they will start flowing again in twos, threes and fours.”
Tottenham coach and former England striker Les Ferdinand believes Ledley King – one of six Spurs players in Fabio Capello’s preliminary England squad - would be a perfect replacement for the recovering Gareth Barry should the Manchester City man miss out.
"I think if Ledley King was playing week in week out he would be a starter for England," Ferdinand said. "We have always been crying out for a ball-playing centre half and that's what Ledley is. As well as being that, I think what he does offer Capello is the opportunity to play him in front of the back four if needs be.
"If Barry doesn't make it then Ledley can play in that role, without a shadow of a doubt,” added Ferdinand, who is proud of the fact that Jermain Defoe, Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon and Peter Crouch have also made Capello’s initial 30-man squad.
Of Defoe’s dip in form towards the end of the season, Les says: “It was a bit of concern that he wasn't scoring. Capello shouldn't have any fears about taking him though. He's watched him quite a lot this year.
"He came to a lot of Spurs games at the end of the season. He's seen enough of him to know that he is always capable of scoring goals. There's certain players that are guaranteed a spot and I'd like to think that Jermain is one of them.
“He’s been through an unfortunate phase but when he gets back amongst the goals, they will start flowing again in twos, threes and fours.”