England must design their team around Steven Gerrard in Germany this summer, says Tony Cascarino.
The ex-Republic of Ireland striker asks in The Times, ‘Does England want the same Steven Gerrard who scored twice in the FA Cup Final, or the solid, competent, good but not great Steven Gerrard we so often see in internationals? Assuming Wayne Rooney isn't fit, you'd add Peter Crouch and have Gerrard at the top of a midfield diamond, with Michael Carrick sitting back and Frank Lampard leaning leftwards. Joe Cole would be sacrificed' in order to get the most out of the Liverpool midfield player.
Carrick, who played in the holding role alongside Lampard and Cole when they were all together at West Ham United, said: "Being relegated at West Ham was a major setback. I've had hard times when I've had to dig deep to find myself. I was in the England squad and then fell out of it. Getting back was extra special, knowing how hard I've had to work." (The People)
"I wouldn't be in the squad today if I hadn't moved to Tottenham, I'm sure of that, with the gaffer [Martin Jol] taking over at that time believing in me and playing me in the right position. It's been great – everything seems to have improved and progressed for me since then. Playing both games in America (for England last summer) was big, giving me a lot of confidence and experience I hadn't had before. So when I got my chance in the Uruguay game (friendly in March) I had that little bit more awareness which helped a lot." (Independent on Sunday)
Also going to Germany with England is Bayern Munich's Owen Hargreaves, who was a slightly surprising choice made by England coach Sven Goran Eriksson. Hargreaves, who can also play in the holding role revealed how Tottenham had shown an interest in him, shortly before Carrick showed signs of wanting to quit Upton Park. He said: "I was close to signing for Spurs a couple of years ago. I had a meeting with (former director of sport) Frank Arnesen in Munich but then Bayern changed their manager and I decided to see what happened with the new guy." (The Sun)
If Rooney does recover in time for the World Cup, Eriksson will be much more likely to opt for a flat four man midfield, with the Manchester United striker up front alongside Michael Owen.
Gerrard said he spoke with his fellow Scouser just before the cup final, which Liverpool won after a penalty shoot out in Cardiff. "He said he didn't want to target one particular game in case he didn't make it but he was really hopeful of being part of the World Cup." (Sunday Mirror)
Eriksson said: "I always - more with the heart than the head - said that he will play in the World Cup." (The Guardian)
Meanwhile, Spurs centre-half Michael Dawson has been put on standby by Eriksson, after Charlton skipper Luke Young pulled out from England's training camp at the weekend. Dawson, who has partnered injured Spurs captain Ledley King in defence for most of the season, told Tottenham's official website: "It was amazing really and capped a fantastic season for both myself and my club. I watched the squad announcement the same as everyone else in the country and thought I would be watching the build-up and friendlies on television."
Spurs have asked to take Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips, a surprise omission from the England squad, on loan next season, with a view to a permanent switch in 12 months' time. (The Times)