With Wayne Bridge stating this week that he will take no further part of England’s build up to the World Cup, England’s chances of doing really well in the competition have taken a serious knock.
The only experienced replacement for Ashley Cole and suddenly our first and second choice left backs will either not be there or will be in serious doubt of being there.
Of course, one has to hope that Cole will recover faster than expected but with Capello’s stance on taking players only if they are fit then you would have to expect him not to take Cole if he is not fully fit.
However this is an emergency situation because when we get to play the best in the world if we get to the latter stages then the opposing teams will see whoever is playing in that position as a potential weakness and attack that point.
If I were Capello, I would take Cole if he has regained anything approaching his fitness. The World Cup is a month long so he will have extra recuperation time at the tournament. It will be match sharpness that he will lack.
But there could be a plus side as well because if he does regain fitness in time then England will be taking a player who will be physically fresh after missing three months of the season.
So I think that it is too early to say what will happen yet. I heard yesterday that Capello was trying to talk to Bridge and convince him to change his mind. I think Bridge realises that he is the one who is expendable and not John Terry.
He states that his presence could be divisive and you have to agree with him. Today’s game between Chelsea and Manchester City will maybe show some indication of Bridge’s feelings towards Terry.
