Convincing Capello
Chris Hatherall
Friday, 21 May, 2010
Peter Crouch speaks of squad competitiveness ahead of World Cup selection.
Peter Crouch believes England’s training sessions in Austria have been sharper and more competitive than ever as players battle to convince Manager Fabio Capello they should go to the World Cup.
Spurs striker Crouch is one of the squad’s most in-form players having scored twice in England’s last match against Egypt before hitting the goal that sent Tottenham into the Champions League.
But the forward, who finished the campaign with 19 goals, says there is still work to do if he wants to be on the plane to South Africa.
“There’s a lot of competition,” he said, speaking at England's training camp in Irdning.
“I think all the training sessions are competitive when we come away with England, but maybe a little bit more so now. I must say training has been very sharp.
“Everyone is fighting for their place and we are all trying to impress the Manager in the training sessions and in the games before the World Cup.”
At least Crouch can be happy with his season so far – and with the efforts he has made to impress Capello having scored an incredible 20 goals in 37 caps for England so far.
He said: “I've been pleased with the season at Spurs and felt I've done well personally - and the last England game was great for me too after scoring a couple of goals.
“I feel I've done everything I can and as long as I continue to do well and work hard this week, hopefully I'll have a good chance of going.
“The main thing is I’m full of confidence right now. The last England game went well for me and the end of the season with Spurs was fantastic, getting the goal against Manchester City that got us into the Champions League. Hopefully that will continue.”
The question Crouch wants to ask Capello, however, is just how many strikers will be going to South Africa when the squad is finally cut from 30 to 23 on June 1!
“I would prefer all five to go,” he admitted. ”But it is up to the manager. If he feels he can take five, that would be great but if it is four I will have to work extra hard to make sure I am one of them.”
Whatever happens, Crouch believes he can make a big contribution if he is taken to South Africa.
“I've been very proud of whenever I've played for England. I've scored goals, I've felt I've done well but it is in the manager's hands now,” he added.
“I am extremely proud of my goalscoring for England and I always feel confident when I put on an England shirt.
“We've got a lot of creative players who will create chances and they've been taken. Hopefully I've done enough. We’ll have to wait and see. Hopefully I can look forward to the future, score more goals and achieve things at the World Cup."
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