Celtic target Sol Campbell has launched a stinging attack on Fabio Capello for being left out of England’s World Cup squad.
The defender has offers from Celtic and Arsenal to decide between for next season but has his mind on South Africa where England’s World Cup squad appears to be falling apart.
Campbell issued a scathing attack on the England boss and was mystified as to why he was overlooked in favour of others who have avoided relegation, retired from international football and one who ‘didn’t have a very good season’.
Rio Ferdinand’s injury earned uncapped Michael Dawson a late call up while a groin injury to Ledley King means that the injury jinxed Spurs defender is unlikely to play again in the tournament.
Jamie Carragher has came out of international retirement to travel to South Africa with Campbell baffled by Capello’s choice of defenders which also includes West Ham’s Matthew Upson.
Campbell made 13 appearances for Arsenal towards the end of the season and believes that he should have been given the chance to add to his 74 caps.
The defender told ESPN: “I can understand if Capello was thinking, ‘this guy is for England’s past’ but then he went back for a couple of players who had retired from international football.
“That I couldn’t understand if he wasn’t interested in going back to me. Not only that, Capello has gone for one centre-half who didn’t have a very good season, and another who just missed out on relegation.
“It’s crazy when you think about it, that I would have done anything for crack at it, but never did. I was really, really hurt to be totally overlooked without even having an opportunity.
“I have been playing with England teams since I was 15 years old. I have won 74 England caps – been there, got the T-shirt – and it’s experience that counts at this level as well.”
Campbell clearly feels that he has plenty to offer after appearing to opt for semi-retirement last season by joining Sven Goran-Eriksson at Notts County.
The defender rarely speaks out publicly but didn’t miss any targets when he was asked about the England squad.
He added: “I regret the fact that the England camp didn’t think of me. I would have put my heart and soul into playing for my country again.
“I wouldn’t mind being out in South Africa with the England team. The way I have been playing for Arsenal, don’t you think I should be? I do. For sure.
“I played my heart out for Arsenal again and thought it was worthy of a chance with England. It never came.
“Surely, you pick people in the groove, and I was back in the groove, and I was fit. Instead, Capello picked a couple of half-fit players. It fell right for them. Not for me.”
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Dry your eyes Sol-save your energy for pre-season with the greatest club on the planet.It would be superb if the big man came up here and sorted out the sieve-the whole club would get an instant boost and he would be mighty in the hoops. Great that he is so enthusiastic about playing for Lenny-hope he takes up the option! World Cup- what World Cup? Hail Hail.
Just read that he is mulling over a 1 year contract with Arsenal or a 2 year one with Celtic. Says he might stay with Arsenal and, the bit that struck me, that other clubs are interested in him after the level of his performance last season. That tells me he’s bigging himself up and I seem to have heard this particular line before. Are we being strung along? Just doesn’t smell right.