10 October 2004
EXCLUSIVE: Sven speaks to TheFA.com

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With the injury to skipper David Beckham the only blight on an otherwise fine afternoon in Manchester, Sven told Dan Freedman who his choice as replacement captain is while he is still undecided on the man to fill the right-midfield hole the Real Madrid star leaves empty.

"If Michael Owen is on the pitch, which he probably will be captain, he's my choice," he said.

"There was a lot of discussion about whether he should play [against Wales], but it's a long time since I have seen him play as well as he did yesterday," Sven added.

After securing victory over Wales with a lovely strike to beat Paul Jones, the skipper will be missing for Wednesday's game, but Sven is happy with the options he has on the right.

"It was a beautiful goal," he said. 

"There aren't many players who can score like that. But it was very important to make it 2-0."

Sven continued: "He worked extremely hard, but unfortunately he got injured.

"We have a lot of options, though, depending on whether we want to play with three strikers, we're not sure yet.

"But Shaun Wright-Phillips is one choice, and Owen Hargreaves is another. We have others also."

England played an unfamiliar three-man attack against the Welsh, and Sven was pleased with the way the team adapted to the new formation.

"The team was always balanced and they created a lot of chances.  With a little bit of luck they could have scored two, maybe three more goals."

Sven was particularly pleased with the performance of Wayne Rooney who looked to enjoy playing for England at his new Old Trafford home.

"Every time he gets the ball you expect something to happen, he beats people, he takes a shot. He could have scored, but he will do on Wednesday hopefully."

Frank Lampard did score.  The Chelsea midfielder has now scored seven goals in 27 games for England and he continues to impress every time he pulls on an England jersey.  

"He's becoming better and better, stronger," said Sven. 

" It's very difficult to take the ball from him.  His tackles, his defesive work is very, very good.

"He's dangerous, a box to box player. He looks quick. You didn't expect Frank lampard last year to beat people, but against Wales he did."

And what of the return of Rio and Sol at the heart of the defence?

"We have four extremely good central defenders, we played Sol and Rio together.  Their presence is frightening and nobody gets past them," said Sven.

"We are very lucky."

To watch to the full, exclusive interview with Sven, click on the links above