Seeing as though it was Southampton Football Club that effectively introduced the beautiful game to Brazil (Ref: Charles William Miller) it would be fitting that at this summer’s World Cup in the country, if the Saints were well represented.
Speculation is already rife as to who will and won’t make it to the finals, and here at georgeweahscousin.com we are no different!
So which of the Saints talented squad will be on the proverbial plane?
England
It seems fitting to start with our own nation, burdened with the usual over expectant feeling of entitlement, England could well be the squad with the most Saints in it.
Adam Lallana
Let’s put it this way, if Lallana isn’t in the twenty three man squad then he will either be injured or the victim of the most ridiculous tragedy in English footballing history up there with Matthew Le Tissier’s lack of caps and not building a team around Paul Scholes (confounded by playing him on the left wing).
Lallana is skilful, technically gifted and creative. He shouldn’t be English really, as he has defied the poor coaching standards here and become a talent worthy of Spain or Brazil.
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 4.5
Lallana, a shoe in for the squad for anyone with the right number of chromosomes…
Rickie Lambert
England at the World Cup will need different options if they are to succeed, and in Lambert they could well have that. Good with the ball at his feet and an ability to hold the ball up, Lambert has proven his critics wrong time and time again, scoring and creating goals at every level he’s played at.
The worry is that Roy Hodgson may revert to type and turn to Andy Carroll.
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 3.5
The moment Rickie showed the rest of the country what the Saints fans already knew…
Jay Rodriguez
Didn’t enjoy the best of debuts, but Rodriguez grows with confidence game by game and has emerged as Saints top scorer this season. ‘JRod’ is another one who has the technical ability to try something different. It feels like this might not be his year England wise though with the media turning on him after the game against Chile.
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 2
Just how many Saints will lineup for England this summer?
Luke Shaw
Uncapped so far, but with his stock rising and his mature performances both defensively and going forward for Saints, coupled with the recent decline of Ashley Cole, Luke will surely get the chance to show what he can do in the friendlies prior to the tournament.
With rumours that Man City want to make him the most expensive full back in the world, it is only a matter of time before his country calls. Undoubtedly the natural and long term successor to Cole.
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 3.5
Shaw thing to be first choice England left back in the future….
Nathaniel Clyne
In what is distinctly England’s weakest area it is surprising to me that Clyne hasn’t already been given a chance by Roy Hodgson. While the distinctly mediocre Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker both look unimpressive in an England shirt, Clyne has gone about his business at Saints with great success, consistently performing to a high standard.
Deserves a chance.
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 2.5
While all the media talk was of getting Kosovan Januzaj to play for England, Englishman Clyne was giving him a lesson at Old Trafford…
James Ward-Prowse
Probably the longest shot, and almost certainly this World Cup has come too soon for the Saints midfielder. With his ability to deliver a ball now being likened to David Beckham though, England honours will surely follow at some point….
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 1
JWP bends it like Beckham into the San Marion net for England U21′s…
Italy
It seems right to follow the potential England players with their Group D opponents. England v Italy at the World Cup will always be a special occasion and it might just be laden with Saints players.
Dani Osvaldo
Argentinian born Osvaldo opted to play for Italy, and recently has been a regular for the Azzuri. Although he has taken his time to adapt to the Premier League the skill he has shown for Italy was replicated with his amazing strike against Manchester City.
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 4
Osvaldo celebrates his recent goal against Denmark…
Uruguay
Gaston Ramirez
Sporter of awful barnet’s, splitter of fan opinion and creator of occasional magic, Ramirez has been in and out of the Saints first team, but is a regular in the Uruguay squad.
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 4.5
Opponents in the summer?
Croatia
Dejan Lovren
The Croatian has been an absolute steal for Saints and has made his way into many ‘top players in the Premier League this season’ lists. A regular for his country, he should be on his way to Brazil.
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 4.5
World Class defender Lovren who will be in Brazil and some other fella who won’t…
France
Morgan Schneiderlin
Perhaps the biggest crime in international football from a Saints perspective is the lack of recognition for Morgan Schneiderlin. Having had a brilliant first season and a half in the Premier League, Schneiderlin would walk into any other top flight side and most international teams. Come on Didier. You know it makes sense.
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 2
Could France’s loss be England’s gain?
Japan
Maya Yoshida
Having fallen down the pecking order at Saints, Yoshida is having to take what he can, and it has led to talk of a move back to Japan. He will undoubtedly be in Brazil though, barring an injury as a stalwart of their defence.
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 4.75
Maya will be on the plane.
Tadanari Lee
Forward Lee is well and truly out of the picture as far as the Saints first team is concerned, and perhaps his move to England two years ago has killed any chance of a World Cup place. A loan move back to Japan might revive his hopes though.
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 1
Can Lee get out of the international wilderness in time?
Portugal
Jose Fonte
A long shot, but Jose Fonte has really come into his own for Saints this season and has been part of the formidable back five that was at the top of the European defensive charts. Sadly, when I met Joao Pinto (Now a high level official in the Portuguese FA) in the summer he had never heard of Jose.
Chances of being in Brazil (out of 5):- 1.5
Part of the furniture at St. Mary’s, but deserving of international recognition?
So there we have it. Do you agree with their chances? Is there anyone else in the Saints squad who might sneak in somewhere? As ever let us know!
Chris
