Capello Names Squad Against Backdrop of Website Drama

Wednesday, 12th May 2010 at 12:10pm

England manager Fabio Capello selected his preliminary squad for the World Cup finals next month yesterday as he also postponed the launch of his controversial new website 'Capello Index' which ranks the performances of players over a season.

Included in the squad were Manchester City's Adam Johnson and Spurs' Michael Dawson, neither of whom have represented the England senior side, and Liverpool's Jamie Carragher who came out of a self-imposed three-year retirement from international football.

Other noteworthy selections for the 30-man group which must be whittled down to 23 by June 1, were Dawson's team mates Tom Huddlestone and Ledley King, West Ham's Scott Parker, Aston Villa's Stephen Warnock and Sunderland's Darren Bent.

The other major talking point was the attempt to lure Paul schools out of retirement, but the Manchester United midfielder, who last played for England in 2004, told the England boss that he'd stick by his decision to retire, preferring instead to spend time with his family.

Despite concerns about his fitness, Manchester City's Gareth Barry made the preliminary squad, as did Chelsea's Joe Cole despite worries about his form leading into the tournament.

In other World Cup news, some of the leading players in World football have been omitted from their respective national squads as all 32 teams prepare for next month's football fiesta.

Former world players of the year Ronaldo and Ronaldinho have failed to make Dunga's Brazil squad and they have been joined by Adriano, the former Inter Milan striker in not making the coach's 23-man squad.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been left out of coach Bert Van Marwijk's squad of 30 players, with the Oranje coach citing worries over his fitness despite a relatively successful spell at Hamburg.

A similar fate has befallen Italy's Francesco Totti and Luca Toni and France's Patrick Vieira. The Roma legend retired from international football in 2006 after winning the tournament, but there has been plenty of speculation in recent months that he might make a return to Marcelo Lippi's squad.

Toni was the Azzurri's leading striker in Germany 2006 and Euro 2008, but has fallen down the pecking order in recent years.

Owner of 109 caps, Patrick Vieira moved to Manchester City in January in a bid to secure his place in Raymond Domenech's squad, but failed to impress. Somewhat surprisingly, the former captain will be joined by Arsenal's Samir Nasri and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.

With just 29 days remaining until the big kick off, excitement is brewing ahead of the first World Cup finals to be staged in Africa and brazilworldcup2014.com will be there every step of the way.

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