bawan 0 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 (edited) Arsene Wenger has advised new England boss Fabio Capello to call on goalkeeper Manuel Almunia. The Arsenal shot-stopper has previously outlined his keenness to represent England, and he has now received the backing of Arsenal manager Wenger. The Spaniard will be eligible to play for England through residency rules next year, and his boss' support follows an excellent penalty save in Saturday's north London derby success. Almunia, who joined The Gunners from Celta Vigo in 2004, has made 22 appearances so far this season after some impressive displays which have forced Jens Lehmann to occupy the substitutes' bench. Experience And with the England No.1 jersey currently up for grabs, Wenger believes Capello should take advantage of Almunia's emergence as a reliable keeper. "I could only advise you to take advantage of it and call him up for the England squad," he said in The Sun. "Almunia came here without a CV so he had to make a name with his performances. It was not easy because he had to get experience at a big club. "I knew he was good but how could he be Arsenal's keeper? Only by playing. He had never played for a big club before and made some mistakes, but he has gained confidence and calmness. He is a good keeper. Under pressure "Everyone makes mistakes. (Manchester United boss) Van der Sar makes mistakes. "But it was more difficult for Almunia because he was already under pressure from an outstanding goalkeeper (Lehmann) behind him. "That was a tough test. If you play bad games, you are under pressure immediately." From SSN: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3003528,00.html So can he play for England? Edited December 24, 2007 by bawan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 6187 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Id have him in. If england manage to ever win anything though the foreign press would have a field day! Spanish keeper, italian manager! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Fuck right off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RlCO 0 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 This will be the first and only time I will ever agree with Gareth horseface Southgate. Fucking residency rules, bollocks to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM4 0 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 I don't know why he'd want to play for England tbh. Weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyluke 2 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 I don't know why he'd want to play for England tbh. Weird. Shirley being an international footballer would enhance his reputation. It's the biggest stage (supposedly). As much as we need a decent keeper, I'm against this kind of thing. Foreign coaches, fine, but the TEAM is supposed to be the best English XI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NobbySol 1 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 if we are going to go foreign, why not get the best, cudicini is miles better than almunia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM4 0 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 He doesnt want to play for England though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 He doesnt want to play for England though... Good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 27300 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 He doesnt want to play for England though... He has said he wouldn't rule it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM4 0 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 He doesnt want to play for England though... Good. I certainly agree. Don't understand people trying desperately to sqeeze into a national team they only have some distant relation to and no connection just so they can play int. footie. It's even arguable it increases profile that much because club football is where it's at now and if you can't get into your "first choice" country... you're not that great anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 27300 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 He doesnt want to play for England though... Good. I certainly agree. Don't understand people trying desperately to sqeeze into a national team they only have some distant relation to and no connection just so they can play int. footie. It's even arguable it increases profile that much because club football is where it's at now and if you can't get into your "first choice" country... you're not that great anyway. It's been providing the Republic of Ireland with a sizeable number of it's players over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazarus 0 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Half of frances squad was foreign when they won the world cup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoggeordie 0 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Isn't Arteta eligable for England from next year as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 27300 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Half of frances squad was foreign when they won the world cup Tbf they were all foreign iirc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gejon 2 Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Don't give up on Carson just yet.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holden McGroin 5191 Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 Don't give up on Carson just yet.... He is average to sub-standard to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinofbeans 91 Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 even with almunia available, i don't think that we'll se another world class goalie in an england jersy in the next few years. there just isn't the talent coming through... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walliver 0 Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Surely Foster will be number one when he's fit again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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