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With England's World Cup place in South Africa already assured, and the outfield players finally performing as a team, much focus would be on their perceived weak link, the goalkeeping position. The English have had talented goalkeepers in the past, such as Peter Shilton and David Seaman. But ever since Seaman's retirement, it has been a game of goalkeeping musical chairs with no goalkeeper staking his place in the first team.
Let's look at some of the likely candidates for the England goalkeeper position at South Africa 2010:
1) David James
Once dubbed "Calamity James" for his goalkeeping howlers, James has been a steady performer for West Ham and Portsmouth and was the first choice for England until his unfortunate injury. The question on everybody's mind would be if he can continue the same form he showed before his injury. Another factor against him is that James would be 40 come the next World Cup, and would be considered old even for a goalkeeper.
2) Ben Foster
Ben Foster is highly regarded by soccer insiders. Sir Alex Ferguson, Foster's manager at Manchester United, has no doubt that Foster will be the number one England goalkeeper at South Africa. But first, he has to stake his place at club level. Foster has played second fiddle to Edwin Van de Sar for far too long, only starting the season because of Van de Sar's injury. He has also been inconsistent, mixing unconvincing displays with the occasional wonder save.
3) Robert Green
Green started the game against Croatia that sealed England's place in the finals and might have won the race to be England's first choice goalkeeper. His club form for West Ham has been consistent and it may be about time he got his break on the world stage. But West Ham are no world beaters, and his lack of European level experience might count against him.
4) Paul Robinson
Robinson was once the successor to David Seaman, but disastrous displays in the England shirt confined him to the sidelines for 2 years until Fabio Capello included him to the current squad. But he has not played in a match under Capello and if included, would likely be the 2nd or 3rd choice goalkeeper.
5) Scott Carson
Carson was once touted as one of the best young goalkeepers in England, but it was his mistake against Croatia in 2007 that knocked England out of the qualifying rounds for Euro 2008. He remains on the fringe and may be able to make a comeback depending on his club form.
Who will be the England goalkeeper for South Africa 2010? Your guess is as good as mine.
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