Matt Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger still believes Manuel Almunia could represent England one day and declared: "He is the best."Almunia joined the Gunners from Celta Vigo in July 2004, and so under residency laws would soon be eligible to apply to become a naturalised British citizen. Given the 31-year-old has yet to be called up into the Spain national team, there remains a genuine possibility Almunia would, under FIFA regulations, be available for selection to England coach Fabio Capello for the 2010 World Cup. "There are international rules which have to be respected, but if it is possible legally, why not?" said Wenger. "Then it is more a choice left to the English Football Association or to Manuel Almunia's desire. I believe he is not only good enough, but he is the best." The Gunners boss added: "It is down to what you expect morally and mentally from a national team. "I believe at some stage you have to observe just the rules and decide what you want. "On the English side, for the national team, it is not so much a problem because if the guy decides to become English, he has had to observe and respect the rules like anybody else. "Why should he then not be qualified to play for the national team? "It is more a moral problem maybe for Manuel Almunia, because does he consider he has a chance to play in the Spanish national team or not?" It's been suggested a few times that foreign players are close to getting citizenship thus being eligible to play for the national team, I've gotta say i'm not a fan, on the other hand who else have we got coming through, in a few years time the English national team is going to be in big trouble because of the lack of English talent coming through.
BlueSi13 Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 No. * 2 It's not even a debate, he's not English and not exactly world class either in my opinion
Big Ol' Bob Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 No thanks. I'd rather see the likes of Rob Green and Chris Kirkland given a chance. Both for me have have been the most in form English keepers this season.
lavrentis Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 No thanks. I'd rather see the likes of Rob Green and Chris Kirkland given a chance. Both for me have have been the most in form English keepers this season. Agree with that.
BlueSi13 Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 No thanks. I'd rather see the likes of Rob Green and Chris Kirkland given a chance. Both for me have have been the most in form English keepers this season. I also don't no what David James has done wrong in an England shirt RECENTLY either! why does think question keep coming up in the press? its like the whole Rangers & Celtic coming down south bollocks! why should we give the number 1 shirt to a keeper who isn't even CLOSE to the Spanish national team? Give some of our own boys a chance between the sticks! the whole players playing for different countries is embarrassing enough as it is without us getting involved, Eduardo for Croatia, Clinton Morrison for the Republic of Ireland, Kuranyi, Klose & Podolski for Germany etc etc etc
davieG Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 Nationality definition will become more and more blurred if he's a naturalised Englishman, meets the qualification requirements and is the best play him if not don't.
Koke Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 No. I wouldn't even want Gigi Buffon to play for England if he was eligible. It makes a mockery of national team football.
Darkzzz_ Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 It's been suggested a few times that foreign players are close to getting citizenship thus being eligible to play for the national team, I've gotta say i'm not a fan, on the other hand who else have we got coming through, in a few years time the English national team is going to be in big trouble because of the lack of English talent coming through. What I have been saying all along and what some premiership fan boys fail to see. The fact that they praise the English aspect of the league when the majority of our youth players don't get a chance. The premiership is a wonderful league, but I would like to see more top class English players and managers for that matter. I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting that for the good of our country.
New England Fox Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 I also don't no what David James has done wrong in an England shirt RECENTLY either! why does think question keep coming up in the press? Him being 38 probably has something to do with it
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 Chris Kirkland is the best English 'keeper in the Premier League imo.
Samilktray Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 I would rather not this gentleman become the goalkeeper for our national team.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 I would rather not this gentleman become the goalkeeper for our national team.
Samilktray Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 All of that hassle I had to go to, my first post showed my views clearly.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 All of that hassle I had to go to, my first post showed my views clearly. I just imagine Jack Duckworth saying whatever you post.
dandannieldanok Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 Ideally no, but in reality he's beginning to look like he's better than any of the keepers we've got. James looks like he's back in calamity mode, Green made an error against Chelsea and I simply don't rate the likes of Kirkland, Carson and Foster as highly as others do.
Samilktray Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 I just imagine Jack Duckworth saying whatever you post. What a guy he is.
Big Ol' Bob Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 Top 5 keepers according to opta stats Goalkeepers------ Team ---------Saves --------Saves/shots Carson ---------West Brom --------139 ------------69% Jaaskelainen -----Bolton -----------126-------------71% Schwarzer -------Fulham----------- 123 ------------81% Green ----------West Ham ----------119 ------------76% Given -------Newcastle/Man City--- 119 ------------70% Easy to see why Carson is top, West Brom must have more shots against them than anyone else in the prem, the only other England keeper there is Rob Green, 119 saves isn't bad and he has a better save/shot ratio than Given too which is surprising.
Fosse Boy Posted 1 May 2009 Posted 1 May 2009 If he is the best available goalkeeper at England's disposal (I'm not personally sure that he is) then he should be allowed to play. Enough national teams have done it in enough different sports throughout history (e.g. the present English cricket team or the Irish football team under Jack Charlton's management) so I don't see the big deal really, it's not really devaluing what it means to represent one's country. As long as he gives 100% for his adopted nation (which is a lot more than a lot of the present England squad do), then I'm all for it.
Ultra Posted 2 May 2009 Posted 2 May 2009 If he is the best available goalkeeper at England's disposal (I'm not personally sure that he is) then he should be allowed to play. Enough national teams have done it in enough different sports throughout history (e.g. the present English cricket team or the Irish football team under Jack Charlton's management) so I don't see the big deal really, it's not really devaluing what it means to represent one's country. As long as he gives 100% for his adopted nation (which is a lot more than a lot of the present England squad do), then I'm all for it. This. Almunia had a stormer on Wednesday in the Champions League. It's not the first time he''s excelled in that competition this season. I'd certainly prefer him to Calamity James in goal.
Koke Posted 2 May 2009 Posted 2 May 2009 He's a Spaniard. The only reason he wants to play for England is because Reina and Casillias are massively superior to him. If we allow Almunia to play for England and start neutralizing players we are opening the floodgates for a lot of other players. As I said, I would not even want Gigi Buffon to play for England if he was eligible (like Almunia). It's just wrong and makes a mockery of International football. I'd rather have Calamity James in goal than to neutralize Almunia.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 2 May 2009 Posted 2 May 2009 He's a Spaniard. The only reason he wants to play for England is because Reina and Casillias are massively superior to him. If we allow Almunia to play for England and start neutralizing players we are opening the floodgates for a lot of other players. Correct. Don't forget Victor Valdes either, or Lopez from Villarreal.
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