Rising star: Danny Welbeck
Though Capello will select his strongest available side for this friendly, with Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales less than a month away, the selection of Welbeck and Walker indicates that the Italian is developing a nucleus of young players who will be considered for a fast track promotion to the squad for Euro 2012.
Welbeck, who made his debut against Ghana in March, replaces Darren Bent, who was withdrawn by Aston Villa with a muscle strain. Walker and Micah Richards have displaced Glen Johnson, who injured a thigh in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Valencia at Anfield on Saturday.
Others are likely to be given their chance soon. Manchester United's £18million signing Phil Jones impressed during an otherwise disappointing Euro Under-21 tournament in Denmark.
Liverpool right back Martin Kelly and midfielder Jordan Henderson will also be monitored with a view to promoting them next summer.
'Jones, Henderson, Kelly - the right-back when Glen Johnson was injured - he was interesting,' added Capello. 'I think now the new generation is good. I hope they will be OK in a short time.'
What Capello hopes is one or more will make an impact similar to that of Wilshere last season, though he concedes the emergence of the teenager was extraordinary.
'It is not easy to find a player like Wilshere who explodes in six months. This is the big difference. He is an extra player, here (in the head) and on the pitch. He is a leader. It is really difficult to find this.'
For now, though, it will be as many of the golden oldies as Capello can muster on Wednesday. The future, however, remains in the hands of the likes of Walker and Welbeck. And that future could come as soon as next summer if they impress.
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Rank | Team | W/D/L | Pts |
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Cities & Stadiums
The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments
Year | Winners | Runner-up | Third place |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Spain | Germany | Russia / Turkey |
2004 | Greece | Portugal | Netherlands / Czech Republic |
2000 | France | Italy | Netherlands / Portugal |
1996 | Germany | Czech Republic | France / England |
1992 | Denmark | Germany | Netherlands / Sweden |
1988 | Netherlands | Soviet Union | Italy / West Germany |
1984 | France | Spain | Denmark / Portugal |
1980 | West Germany | Belgium | Czechoslovakia |
1976 | Czechoslovakia | West Germany | Netherlands |
1972 | West Germany | Soviet Union | Belgium |
1968 | Italy | Yugoslavia | England |
1964 | Spain | Soviet Union | Hungary |
1960 | Soviet Union | Yugoslavia | Czechoslovakia |