9 November 2005
Press Conference: Sol Campbell

Sol Campbell talks to the press ahead of England's International Friendly against Argentina in Geneva.


Click here to read the full transcription from Sol's press briefing

Sol Campbell has roared out a powerful message to strikers all over the world - he’s fit, determined and ready for his sixth major tournament finals.

Campbell has endured a difficult time with injuries over the last year and at one stage even lost his place in the Arsenal side.

He has also had to sit back at times and watch John Terry challenge his traditional role as England’s number one defender.

But even with the likes of Terry, Ledley King and Rio Ferdinand battling for his place, no other defender can match Sol’s incredible experience at international level.

The Arsenal man has played in every major finals since Euro 96 and is determined he will not miss his sixth through injury.

He said: "I think the thing is I have to stay fit, it’s as simple as that.

"Once I get a good head of steam and start playing games I feel more confident and I can start to do more on the pitch.

"I feel it now. I have played a few games now and I’m feeling good. Not like last year when I was out for about six, seven, eight weeks and within two weeks had lost my fitness and was back to square one again.

"Also last season I didn’t have a proper pre-season, which this year I have and it has made a big difference.

"If I had a season like last season then yes, I would be struggling for the World Cup. But I’m not going to have that. What makes me so sure? Because you have to be. You have to believe.

"Last season was bizarre for me, it was odd. I was either injured or getting over injuries or off the field stuff . This year things have settled and it’s World Cup year and that pushes you as well with your club. It really does.

"I’m playing now and my football is getting better and better every game and I’m getting stronger."

That is bad news for strikers across the world and good news for England because Campbell has been hugely influential for the Three Lions.

His partnership with Ferdinand was regarded as probably the best in the World Cup in 2002 and he has played every minute of the last four tournament finals with England.

It’s hardly surprising that some people regard him as England’s undisputed number one defender. But as hard as reporters pressed him to say exactly that yesterday, Campbell wasn’t falling for it!

"Nobody’s told me that. I never take it for granted, never," he insisted.

"I’m an honest player and I’m always honoured to play for England. Every time you play you should say to yourself ‘this could be my last game, so I’ll make it count’. That’s how I play."

All Campbell knows right now is that he is fit, raring to go and ready for the serious competition for places between himself, Ferdinand, Terry, King and maybe even Jonathan Woodgate in future.

So when asked if he felt it was a case of Terry being a dead cert for England and the rest fighting to be his partner, Sol was playing it cagey.

"You have to look at the whole season," he said. "The gaffer is going to look at the situation and see how everyone plays throughout the whole season, and I think that’s the best way to do it. That’s the only way to do it really.

"Me personally I think it’s fantastic because the competition means you want to play. And if you get that throughout the whole team you are going to get a really good side.

"I think we have a group of players who can do something special at the World Cup."