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Brave selection from Sven - I can kinda see his reasoning behind selections such as Walcott and Hargreaves, in that they offer an array of options. Walcott can play either wing and up front and has pace to burn (not something England have in abundance), while Hargreaves can play right back, holding midfielder and right wing - admittedly, they are not perhaps the best in an individual position, but I guess Sven is playing percentages. Like I said, brave - and I'm not sure if I agree with him. Defoe and Bent would have been there for me. Still, all we can do is get behind 'em. Come on England!
Joe, London

What a Joke, strong squad but what if Rooney and Ownen are not fit!! Crouch and Walcott upfront!! We will be out in the group stages if that happens! Joke Joke Joke!
Andy, Salford

I don't agree with quite a few selections and that's not the team I would have taken by a fair distance. However, Sven's the guy with the coaching qualifications and I believe he knows what he's doing. We need to support them and not slag them whether we agree with the selection or not.
Ben Winfield, Northumberland

I'm surprised Phil Neville didn't get the nod as a utility player with bags of experience. He's been good this year. Must be because he plays for Everton and not Man U. Good riddance Sven!
Ian, California

Why don't all of you all just relax, Sven knows what he's doing. I think the squad is OK. Germany has bigger problems than you all with Klinsmann leaving out Mehmet Scholl from the squad. Stop whining!!!
Thorsten, Hamburg

Thankfully Sven is known for his little jokes, and will be releasing the England selection that doesn't include a kid he saw playing on the streets. Please Lord
Richard Powell, Nottingham

When did Arsene Wenger become England's World Cup selector? Campbell might not last the tournament before he walks out and Walcott is surely only going as the mascot.
Robert Dudley, Raunds

I would rather Sven took another striker in place of Hargreaves. However, on the up side, I believe he made a good choice with Theo and Lennon. They are bound to impress at the World Cup. Rooney is a huge loss but we are still going to win it. I hope the likes of SWP learn from this that money isn't everything, right now he doesn't even make the bench for Chelsea.
Lauryn, Manchester

Joke, Joke, Joke. I think I'm going to put some money on us going out in the first round. At least I will get something out of the World Cup!
Jamie, Hertford

What a joke, is he annoyed at getting the sack, and is determined to see England lose. Even Fowler would have been a better bet than Walcott, at least he is on form, scoring goals etc. And Hargreaves?? Why?? Ok, if it works we will all be praising him, but really, does anyone think it will?
Steve Anderson, Shardlow

If Sven is going to go for an experimental squad, then why not include some Reading players? Kitson is better than Walcott and Steve Sidwell could cope in the World Cup better than Owen Hargreaves!
Peter Moloney, Yateley

A lesson to all players who plum for big money deals to big clubs and end up on the bench. Last season Shaun Wright- Phillips was a certainty for the World Cup squad. Today after a move to Chelsea, he's on his way to Disney Land for the summer!
Olu, Croydon

We can argue about player selection all day but why have we only bought 4 strikers when 2 of them are potentially unfit? Against Paraguay are we going to play Crouch and Walcott up front? Hargreaves and Jenas will make no impact and will probably not kick a ball, we should have brought an extra striker.
Matthew Wilson, Stevenage

Sven is paid � 5million a year to make big decisions and take calculated gambles, and this is a massive one. He will either earn his money and be praised, or be hung out to dry. But at least he is not playing it safe as he always does - because he has failed with that attitude in the past.
Darren Barker, Colchester

Why do the majority of people in England have to moan and whinge about the selection that Sven has made. Personally I am shocked at some of the selections and I would have had Bent. But not in a negative way, it could just pay off, and then you will all be saying what a great manager Sven was and want him back.
Wayne, Derby

Well done for the bold options! No-one will be moaning if Walcott comes off the bench and scores the winner against Brazil in the Semi-final! The players he has left out are not on form (including Darren Bent at the moment) but Hargreaves is ridiculous! He wouldn't make it into the Women's England Squad!
Neil, Billericay

I hope this isn't a sign of things to come under McClaren. Sven leaves out Defoe and SWP because of a lack of first team football then includes Ashley Cole, Michael Owen and Theo Walcott. Gotta feel for King, Defoe, Bent and Wright-Phillips. All of them should have been going to Germany.
Andy, Canterbury

I think Mr Burns, sorry I mean Sven has got it wrong. He has gone for a lot of inexperience up front and has left out proven strikers for guys who might and only might show some potential.
Andrew Smyth, Lisburn

Time will tell, but for me Sven has got it wrong. I understand Sven said last week that he would take Rooney even if it were only for the latter stages? If so, that leaves Owen, Crouch and Walcott as our forwards. Never mind not having any international or Premiership experience, did Walcott not predominantly play as a winger for Saints? What would happen if Owen broke down during the tournament. Take Defoe, Bent... anyone. I'm a Tottenham fan, but Jenas and Hargreaves are both expendable. I also feel sorry for King.
Andy , Bracknell

Great selection. Bent isn't good enough to step up the grade. Walcott is being taken for experience and has genuine pace, something we are lacking. Crouch was always going to go. Downing is getting better by the game since coming back from injury. Hargreaves is a disappointing choice, but otherwise i think Sven has shown his bottle for once rather than playing to the media.
David Hobson, Trinidad

Why is Bent not included? He is the top scorer in the Premiership - is this a joke? We need strikers. I am a big Michael Owen fan but he needs better backup than Owen Hargreaves and Theo Walcott, he hasn't even started a Premiership game. I could pick a better England team and I'm only a woman.
Sandra West, Matlock

Does anybody else get the impression that Sven wants any country but England to win the World Cup? Also, if my eyes weren't deceiving me, I'm sure Darren Bent's name was 3rd in this season's Premiership goalscorers charts not Walcott, Crouch or even Owen for that matter!
Steve Adms, Leicester

Why doesn't Sven just drop Gerrard, Lampard and Terry while he is at it? Seems he picked a lot of weak players, how does Hargreaves make it?
Ste , Wirral

Genius, definite stroke of genius picking Walcott and Lennon. Walcott has pace to burn and skills too. None of the opposition have seen him play either. The England coaches have had him properly checked out and I think he will be a star at this World Cup.
Simon Francis , London

It's a strange mix but a squad that might provide a bit more zest than the usual cast that have given nothing but ordinary performances. People will mock the inclusion of Lennon and Walcott yet they could be inspired selections. They are both pacey players with the ability to dribble and possess good technique, somewhat lacking from other England players. Let's be honest, neither Bent or Defoe have the experience or demonstrated ability at the international level.
Matt Bolton, London

Some surprises regarding Sven's selections. No surprises with the media reaction which appears very negative. Walcott and Lennon must be shocked by the media response. Lets get behind these guys, Lennon in particular has looked a fantastic player and will frighten many experienced defences. Walcott is a real talent who will learn so much by being in a squad with Gerrard, Beckham and Lampard.
Mark, Wirral

I really feel gutted to see our squad looking the way it does. I have no faith in us winning the World Cup. At least in other selections over the years there has been promise. With Walcott, Lennon, Downing and Hargraves selected I will now follow 20-20 crickets this summer. SWP was only not picked because of what Ian Wight said about Sven. Sven really is a horrible wet fish.
Mikesh, Iver

I'm an Arsenal fan, but taking Walcott and not giving Bent or Wright-Phillips a look in is madness. I don't know how he can justify this.
Jody, Nottingham

I'm Irish and all I can do is laugh! Theo Walcott!!! He%u2019s never even kicked a ball in top flight football, true he may turn out to be a great player but when you only bring four strikers and two of them have serious injury doubts i.e. Owen and Rooney, it%u2019s a ridiculous gamble. If I was Darren Bent I would be disgusted. What more can you do than score 20 goals in your first season in The premiership? Rubbish.
Paul, Dublin

I think Sven has gone for a huge gamble on Theo Walcott, but I have been watching Lennon a lot lately and he is rapid. Let him loose on these slow full backs across Europe and he will murder them. Also I think not including Bent is a huge mistake. Looking at all the comments, everyone is saying why Owen Hargreaves? He offers nothing!!
Ricky Harford, Manchester

The squad looks good but Hargreaves is a joke. I was at the Munich v Cologne game a few weeks ago and every time he came to take a (poorly delivered) corner I told him he'd never play for England again - now I look like a mug. I don't like the thought of him laughing at me. Sven what have you done?
Matt, Stockport

What a joke? No King, Bent, or even Richardson. So Sven takes a 17-year-old who has not played a single minute of top flight football and puts a Championship striker who scored half his Premiership goals with penalties on stand-by. This is the biggest mistake Sven has ever made. What more does Bent need to do?
Hardy, Desai

Sven for Prime Minister. Crouch to be top scorer! I'm joking!
Guv Singh, London

Why is everybody moaning about Rooney! Anyone would take him if there was a slight chance for him to play in the World Cup. If he can't, everyone's got to remember we're allowed to replace him! And Defoe should be that replacement!
Luke, Stevenage

What does Darren Bent have to do to get in? Walcott in the squad?? Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Worst case senario is an unfit Rooney & Owen, so we're left no natural goalscorers. Lee Barnard has more premiership expericence than Walcott. Pick Bent, even Luke Moore.
Richard Cohen, Essex

If Walcott had still been at Southampton, would he have been picked for this World Cup squad? I don't think so! Again playing for the "bigger" clubs seems to guarantee a place in Sven's England. Hey, good luck to the lad, he looks very talented - let's hope he can deliver.
Sparkey, Chester

I'm shocked to say the least. Theo Walcott!? Yes he seemed like an excellent prospect in the Championship but he hasn't even played a Premiership game so how can you justify leaving out talents such as Wright-Phillips and Defoe? I think it is obvious that Sven is hoping that Theo will turn out to be some sort of revelation at the World Cup but it's a huge gamble.
Jason Edwards, London

I think Sven did his best to include players who are currently on form. Lennon, Hargreaves and Downing have been having a great end of season. Taking Walcott is a big gamble though. With Rooney and Owen not fit, England might end up being short of strikers (Crounch needs a good finisher with him if he is to be any good!). Sven looks like he is willing to take risks and that might be good in matches - he might stop always making defensive substitutions!
Haz, USA

Totally agree with the squad, Walcott could surprise a few teams, Lennon has been outstanding the last couple of months whereas Wright-Phillips hasn't even been warming the bench at Chelsea. Four strikers is enough when you have players like Gerrard and Cole who can play off one striker.
Dean, Hull

Would Sven have made the same choice if he were not leaving after the world cup? Walcott instead of Defoe seems absurd, not tested in The Premiership let alone the world stage. Crouch and the likely injured Rooney? Come on select Bent and Defoe. My hopes have come crashing down for a World Cup victory.
Mike Wivell, London

I am quietly optimistic about England's chances if they are all fit but why why why Owen Hargreaves? I thought we had grOwn out of this kind of selection.
Ricky Harford, Manchester

I am pleased to see the youngsters Lennon and Walcott in the squad. But I am amazed at the inclusions of Hargreaves and Crouch when we could have had Bent and Richardson. Let's hope they do us proud.
John, Aylesbury

I know Walcott is good but how on earth can you take a player who has not started a game! Darren Bent was the best English striker in the Prem, I am disgusted he is not in the squad and Andy Johnson is instead. As a Charlton fan I hope England win nothing now.
Martin, Hornchurch

I think Sven has made some mistakes. Not including Bent in the team is unfair and unjust, he is saying that an unfit Owen and definately Rooney are better than a man who has scored close to 20 goals this season for a team that isn't the best in the world. Yes Rooney is a good player and Owen's record speaks for itself, but surely you need a team full of people who have delivered throughout the past season.
EB, Walthamstow

How can Owen Hargreves be picked, he's the most useless midfielder we have. I personally think Rooney is one of the best strikers in the world and understand why he is still picked, but in tournaments like this it's the new, unheard of players that make the best impact. The oppostion don't know how to deal with these players.
Sam, Taunton

Give Walcott a chance. If he's good enough he's old enough. How old was Rooney when he first played for England?
Stu, Aberdeen

Sven said we had a good chance, not anymore - no chance at all. Why is he taking Theo Walcott when he has not played in the Premiership before and why is he taking Rooney when he is injured. He could have taken Defoe or Bent, both great players. He has thrown the World Cup away.
Harry, Blackheath

Get rid of sven now!! He can't even pick a decent England squad.
Paul, Broadstairs

Everyone seems concerned about whether our strikers will be fit for the World Cup. I am more concerned as to how Sven arrived at the decision to include Hargreaves, Downing and Lennon, when the likes of Richardson, King and Defoe have not been considered.
John, Carterton

Taking Walcott is a massive gamble, not only for England but for Theo's career. He is going to have so much weight on his shoulders and this could destroy the lad.
Dave, Motherwell

Where is Darren Bent?? The highest ENGLISH scorer in the league and we plump for Andy Johnson who struggled against Watford on Saturday!! Sven is giving us a nice leaving present isn't he!! Owen Hargreaves is a terrible choice especially given the season Reo-Coker has had at West Ham. Theo Walcott is a huge gamble, i hope it pays off but it could really back-fire. Four strikers is not enough, I would have taken Bent and lost a midfielder.
Andy McGuinness, Manchester

Owen and Rooney are injured. Walcott, who is he? Crouch is not a world class player. So who is going to score the goals? Also is Hargreaves a joke? I thought he had played his last game for England.
Paul, Broadstairs

I do not know how he can justify some of his selections. How can you not pick the Premiership's top english scorer and pick one striker who has never played in The Premiership(or at all for the last 5 months)and a striker that is not even top scorer in The Champianship.
Stu, Billericay

I think Sven's squad selection is absolutly fantastic. It is a huge shock, but one made of courage where it brings an element of suprise to the opposition. Theo Walcott and Lennon could just turn out to be the stars of the show.
Mark Sedgebear, Bristol

I'm currently browsing the Sky Sports website and believe I have come across an error/fault. It says Theo Walcott has been included in the England Squad. Please tell me this is a joke?! Bent not included even in the back-up list? Owen Hargreaves again?! Can someone please tell me why?!
Kevin, Hunt