Fabio Capello has sounded out Everton’s Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta
In a move that will stun many England observers, Capello made the call himself only weeks after choosing not to make personal approaches to veteran stars David Beckham and Paul Scholes.
The England coach asked his right-hand man Franco Baldini to inform Beckham his international career was over, and to try to persuade Scholes to return.
After Capello watched Arteta in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Wolves at Goodison Park, the midfielder said: “If one day the opportunity comes obviously I would have to consider it very seriously.”
He qualifies to play through residency, having lived in England since moving to Everton from Real Sociedad in 2005. But having learnt that the process of
applying for a dual passport will take at least six months, Capello has
put the plan on the backburner.
An FA spokesman
said last night: “We have not discussed the matter as a policy, as we
have not been in a position where the manager wants to select a
dual-passport player.”
Arsenal goalkeeper
Manuel Almunia declared an interest in switching his allegiance to
England last season, but Capello felt he should prove his intention by
starting the application process. In Arteta’s case, Capello made the
first approach.
Capello’s squad to play
Bulgaria on Friday and Switzerland in Basle on September 7 will be
announced tomorrow and Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale will continue
a remarkable rise by being called up for the start of England’s Euro
2012 qualifying campaign.
Stockdale caught the eye against Manchester United last Sunday and has been rewarded by Capello. He
will be third choice behind Joe Hart and Ben Foster, with West Ham’s
Robert Green missing out as he is due to undergo surgery.
Peter
Crouch, scorer of a hat-trick against Young Boys which propelled
Tottenham into the group stages of the Champions League, is to be
recalled, but Joe Cole looks set to miss out again, with Capello
believing Adam Johnson and Ashley Young offer more.
Newcastle’s
Andy Carroll will go with the Under-21s, who have important games
looming, as will Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere, who made his senior debut
against Hungary last month.
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