BWFC 24

Cahill and Davies for Spurs if not England — Redknapp’s Praise

Once again the England manager, Fabio Capello, was watching Bolton Wanderers and boosted hopes of Cahill’s involvement in two upcoming international fixtures when England take on Belarus and Ukraine. Alas it wasn’t to be and Cahill will not be taking part in England’s next stages of World Cup qualification. Sadly it seems that Capello was more interested in seeing Tottenham Hotspur’s Peter Crouch and Aaron Lennon who both got a place in the England squad.

Kevin Davies for England?

Hopefully Kev’s performance on Saturday caught Capello’s attention and maybe he will be capped in the next 12 months — although Davies himself seems less optimistic.

“There were a couple of stages last season when England named expanded squads which I was in — but I was not used even when there were six or seven strikers missing. If there are that many people ahead of you in the pecking order there is no point in worrying too much about it.

“I am pleased Fabio was here but it is all about what Bolton do and I am sure he was looking at Crouch and Jermain Defoe together.”

Harry Redknapp Enthusiastic About Bolton Duo

Tottenham boss, Harry Redknapp, expressed his thoughts about Kevin Davies:

“I remember him coming to Portsmouth when he was on loan at Millwall, the first year I was in the Championship, and he was hopeless. I mean, he was poor.

“People might look at him and think he’s not ‘England’, that’s he not fashionable, but he’s a proper centre–forward. He’s excellent, he just knows how to play, he backs into people, he uses his body.”

Redknapp was enthusiastic about Gary Cahill too;

“He is a terrific centre–half, a potential England centre–half. He had a buy–out clause, but he has signed a new contract so that’s an end to that – whatever he was worth then, he will cost a lot more now.

“He is a proper centre–half. What I like about him is that he’s game. He wants it. He can head it, he’s strong, he has a great attitude and he wants to win. I have always liked him, always thought he was a good player.”

There has already been speculation that Redknapp would like Cahill at White Hart Lane and would be willing to pay up to £20m — perhaps he would like Davies too. Although Gary Megson has already stated that Cahill will not be for sale in January it would be very surprising if Megson manages to keep hold of Cahill for next season. He has been linked with a slew of clubs, including Manchester United and Juventus, but given his praise for Cahill, Harry Redknapp is certain to be in the race to land Bolton’s most wanted next year.

Kevin Davies will doubtlessly remain a Wanderer, so don’t panic. However, do panic about Danny Shittu as he may still be at the club.

Even if Cahill does leave Bolton it is doubtful that Megson will be bringing in as many new players as he did during the last transfer window. There is the option to buy Ivan Klasnic when his loan expires at the end of this season, but beyond that it is likely that the purse strings will be fairly tight.

Fabio: The Door is Still Open

Although Cahill will not be in the England squad in the near future The Guardian reports that players not in the current squad still have a chance to make the 2010 World Cup squad and that all of those were called up during England’s qualifying campaign will be invited to watch their colleagues at Wembley.

Fabio Capello said;

“I want to make us stronger as a group and I also want to emphasise that the door is still open. Nothing will be decided for several months and even players not in the current squad still have a chance.”

It seems that Fabio is trying to maintain a group of potential squad members so they can get better acquainted with each other, which is nice! However, while Fabio’s group of potential seems like an great idea it will lead to disappointment for some as increased hopes of joining England in South Africa are once again dashed.

UPDATE Ocotber 7, 2009

Kevin Davies has been backed to join England by comedian Dave Spikey and Gary Cahill has been called up for international duty afterall.

Your thoughts…

As always your opinions are welcomed in the comments section below. Is Kevin Davies worthy of a place in the England squad? How long before Gary Cahill leaves Bolton for £20,000,000? Is Harry Redknapp prettier than Gary Megson?