The Sport Review: “Fabio Capello faces dilemma over Jack Wilshere” plus 3 more

Fabio Capello faces dilemma over Jack Wilshere
Vincenzo Montella takes over from Claudio Ranieri at Roma
Bahrain Grand Prix called off after anti-government protests
Alex Bogdanovic recalled to Britain’s Davis Cup team

Fabio Capello faces dilemma over Jack Wilshere

Posted: 21 Feb 2011 04:29 PM PST

jack wilshere

Jack Wilshere is the latest in that never-ending line of prodigious English talent that we all get very excited about – and he has quite rightly been drawing admiring glances from across Europe of late.

Some have hailed him as England's answer to Xavi Hernández or Andrés Iniesta. Others claim he is so good that Arsenal can afford to allow Cesc Fàbregas to move back to Spain.

But with his talent Wilshere provides us with a serious problem.

There can be no doubt that Wilshere will become a star for Arsenal in the coming years and that he may even be good enough to fill the void left if and when captain Fàbregas jumps ship.

The issue, as is seemingly always the case with this country's talented midfielders, comes down to England.

Wilshere, still only 19, has thrived in Arsenal's midfield this season alongside Fàbregas, Alex Song, Samir Nasri and others. Arsenal's midfield works well with Song as its base and the rest functioning on an interlinking basis, a free-flowing interchanging of positions to compliment Arsène Wenger side's passing game. This is where Wilshere works best.

Following his display against Barcelona last week many football writers called for Fabio Capello to give Wilshere free reign in England's midfield.

But there is one man who may have a problem with that: Wayne Rooney.

For Wilshere to operate successfully in this free role he needs to be part of a midfield three – the set-up Arsenal and Barcelona use with great success.

He needs an Alex Song or a Sergio Busquets. He also needs, while still so young, a figure of authority such as Fàbregas. England have these players in Gareth Barry, Scott Parker, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

england formations

But then we have the problem of Rooney. If Capello was to play with a midfield three of Barry, Wilshere and Gerrard, for example, it would be at Rooney's expense for he would either have to play up front on his own or on one the flanks. If Andy Carroll proves to be worth £35m then he will no doubt play up top with Rooney forced out on the left-wing.

Capello will be reluctant to switch Rooney around too much and will likely want to stick with his 4-4-2 formation which, in fairness, worked well against Denmark.

But then we lose all that Wilshere does so well, create, break up play, assist and score goals in the final third. A rigid 4-4-2 formation with attacking wingers would shackle Wilshere to the centre circle by asking him to play the holding role he occupied against Denmark. This would mean we will lose out on any chance of our English Xavi or Iniesta as Capello attempts to turn Wilshere into his own Andrea Pirlo.

It comes down to a straight fight between England's two most talented players and Capello must choose between Wilshere and Rooney. It remains to be seen whose skill and talent will be restricted for the other to excel.

If Capello goes with Rooney and consigns Wilshere to a career in a 4-4-2 then we may well see yet another England midfielder whose brilliance shines for his club but only flickers for his country.

How do you solve a problem like Jack?

Vincenzo Montella takes over from Claudio Ranieri at Roma

Posted: 21 Feb 2011 03:21 PM PST

claudio ranieri

Roma have appointed Vincenzo Montella as caretaker manager until the end of the season after Claudio Ranieri resigned from the Serie A club on Sunday.

Montella, 36, becomes the youngest coach in Serie A and takes the reigns following Ranieri’s tumultuous final fortnight in charge of the Italian side.

Roma suffered four straight defeats in all competitions, the latest coming in a catastrophic 4-3 loss to 10th-placed Genoa despite holding a seemingly unassailable 3-0 lead with less than 40 minutes remaining.

And last week Ranieri, 59, watched his side lose 3-2 to Shaktar Donestk at the Stadio Olimpico in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie despite having taken the lead.

Sunday’s disastrous league defeat left Roma lingering in eighth place in Serie A, 16 points behind leaders AC Milan and nine points adrift of fourth-placed Lazio.

Ranieri announced his intention to quit in the wake of the three-goal collapse, with Champions League qualification now a serious doubt for the club.

A Roma statement read: “AS Roma announces it received yesterday evening the resignation of Claudio Ranieri as coach of the first team.

“Following this move, the financial contract with Ranieri, whose deal was coming to an end on 30 June 2011, has ended by mutual consent. Roma wishes to thank Claudio Ranieri for the professionalism shown and the work done [during his time at the club].”

The club moved swiftly to appoint former Roma striker Montella, who hung up his boots in 2009 and has since been working as the youth team coach, on Monday.

Bahrain Grand Prix called off after anti-government protests

Posted: 21 Feb 2011 08:56 AM PST

formula 1

Formula 1's Bahrain Grand Prix has been called off after a week of speculation amid violent political unrest in the Gulf kingdom.

The race could yet be rescheduled for later in the season but the 2011 F1 campaign will now begin in Australia on 27 March.

"At the present time the country's entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain,” said Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

"Although Bernie Ecclestone had graciously made clear that a decision on the race was entirely Bahrain's to make and was not yet required, we felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of Bahrain's Formula 1 race to a later date.

"After the events of the past week, our nation's priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together; reminding the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united.”

No decision has yet been made on a potential new date for the race, which was due to take place from 11-13 March.

F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone said: "It is sad that Bahrain has had to withdraw from the race, we wish the whole nation well as they begin to heal their country.

"The hospitality and warmth of the people of Bahrain is a hallmark of the race there, as anyone who has been at a Bahrain Grand Prix will testify. We look forward to being back in Bahrain soon."

The final pre-season test, due to take place in Bahrain from March 3-6 has also been cancelled, with teams now returning to the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona from 8-11 March before heading to Australia for the first race.

The decision was made following discussions between the FOTA (Formula One Teams' Association) on Monday.

The Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne on 25-27 March will now be the opening round of the 2011 season.

Alex Bogdanovic recalled to Britain’s Davis Cup team

Posted: 21 Feb 2011 05:19 AM PST

jamie murray

Britain’s Alex Bogdanovic has been recalled to Davis Cup action after more than two years out in the cold.

The 26-year-old, who has not featured in the compeition since 2009, was included in captain Leon Smith’s squad which is missing the injured Andy Murray.

Ken Skupski has been omitted despite winning the Marseille 250 doubles tournament on Sunday.

James Ward, Jamie Baker, Jamie Murray and Colin Fleming make up the rest of the side to face Tunisia at the Bolton Arena on 4-6 March in the Europe/Africa Zone Group II tie.

Ahead of the tie skipper Smith said: “This is a team with the experience, ability and passion to win this tie. Hard work and a good team spirit will also be key to a successful start to our 2011 Davis Cup campaign.

"I'm really looking forward to the match and I am sure the home fans will get behind the team to ensure a good result."