Wenger backs Almunia England bid Almunia has been in fine form for Arsenal this season . Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was all for it, saying at the time: “If it is possible legally, why not? Almunia was a goalkeeper in relatively good form, he had experience playing at a club which was regularly around the top end of the Premier League, and he’d played in the Champions League. Almunia has not played in any international matches, and stated on more than one occasion about his wish to play for England, but only provided that he didn't receive a call-up from the Euro 2008 winning Spain first. All rights reserved. Green was handed the No.1 jersey, but there was little to separate him between James and Hart – the three shot-stoppers Capello decided to take to the World Cup. So technically he could qualify for England like when former Arsenal stopper Manuel Almunia was tipped for a Three Lions call, with the rules at … Manuel Almunia for England ??? So while the Three Lions’ squad boasted Premier League and Champions League winners across their outfield positions, their goalies were more familiar with the club football at the lower-end of the table. Then, in England’s opening match against the USA, Green infamously allowed a weak equalising goal from Clint Dempsey to squeeze through him and roll agonisingly over the line, and that costly error saw him dropped for the remainder of the tournament in favour of James – perhaps cementing Capello’s lack of faith in his goalkeeping options. The website is published by News Group Newspapers Limited (registered number 679215), being a wholly-owned subsidiary of News Corp UK & Ireland Limited (registered number 81701). But things got so bad between the sticks back when Fabio Capello became the England manager in 2008 that the Italian was willing to consider Manuel Almunia for the … Manuel Almunia exclusive: I felt I could play for England but part of me was thinking, ‘What are you saying? Manuel Almunia Rivero (born 19 May 1977) is a Spanish footballer who plays for Watford. And of course who to pick as the first-choice goalkeeper has been a position of debate on-and-off for years, with England’s options between the sticks fluctuating wildly from David Seaman and Nigel Martyn in 2002, then to David James and Paul Robinson in the proceeding years, before Joe Hart came along and, more recently, Jordan Pickford. He stated on more than one occasion his desire to play for England, only provided that he did not receive a call-up from his nation of birth first. 'The Sun', 'Sun', 'Sun Online' and 'Dream Team' are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Of course, Almunia never actually played for England – but he certainly could’ve done. All rights reserved. Manuel Almunia (born 19 May 1977) is a Spanish football player. And I felt I could play for England. Photograph: Barry Coombs/Empics Sport At the moment, the Three Lions are severely lacking in central defence – with Harry Maguire and Joe Gomez considered the best of the bunch that includes the varying powers of Michael Keane, John Stones and Tyrone Mings. Copyright © 2015 News Group Newspapers Limited. Manuel Almunia is a Pamplona native with no ties to England. It actually, sort of, made brilliant sense. Like many of the architectural boasts of Abu Dhabi it’s probably bigger than it needs to be. Frank's best XI, Dream Team advice and more... Kai Havertz signs, Petr Cech backs backs Kepa Arrizabalaga, and more... Gareth Southgate names Kalvin Phillips and Harry Maguire in his first squad of 2020, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window). Will be able to make the decision to choose Almunia for England within the first year or so on the g The 30-year-old has yet to be capped by Spain and will qualify to play for England in a year's time having spent four years with the north London club. Already have the app? Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is considering applying for a British passport after again failing to rule out the possibility of playing for England. Then if you go to Spain in the summer, people in Spain will want to kill you too. Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has not ruled out the possibility of representing England in the future. Yep, that’s right, the Spanish goalie who’s career in English football is now looked back on as a curious cocktail of highs and lows. Adebayor seals Gunners win Walcott on target as Arsenal draw Club statistics League Cup League Cup Continental Total; Season Club League Apps ... England 72 0 9 0 14 0 30 0 125 0 Total 161 0 9 0 14 0 30 0 214 0 References Almunia qualifies for British citizenship as his wife is English. Dont give me the Owen Hargreaves rubbish or how other countries play players who arent from their country...i dont care This is England, we play English players no one else...! Manuel Almunia se convirtió en el héroe del Watford, de la segunda categoría, que está luchando por el ascenso a la Premier. Almunia was part of the problem; wildly inconsistent, error-prone, and often guilty of letting in soft goals. “But he is no better, in fact I don’t think he is as good as David James, the current England No.1 – David is English, Manuel isn’t; Almunia should play for Spain, that is his country.”, But it was Capello’s decision to make, and when discussing Almunia ahead of the World Cup, the England manager simply told journalists: “Almunia, for me, is Spanish. It was moments like this that increased his profile in England and led to a genuine discussion on whether he could become a naturalised British citizen in time to represent the Three Lions at the 2010 World Cup. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has lent his backing to keeper Manuel Almunia's potential claim to play for England. Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia is allegedly considering the possibility of playing for England, since he will be eligible for British citizenship in a year's time. The Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, home of Al Jazira FC, is a giant, imposing arena that holds 40,000 fans. Spurs may be title contenders but they are just two injuries away from mediocrity, Boring boring Chelsea, Petr Cech returns and more, We spoke to the documentary-makers behind Amazon's 'Leeds United: Take Us Home', Taibi on United, De Gea and being 'the worst goalkeeper in English football history', Forget the sugar-free version of Luis Suarez and remember the intoxicating devil, In an age of extreme opinions you're allowed to be unsure about Gareth Bale, Xabi Alonso, Thiago Alcantara and the footballers you miss while looking at your phone. Notable moments in the 2009/10 season include his spilled shot against Birmingham City to allow Kevin Phillips the chance to equalise for the Blues deep into injury-time, his terrible positioning in a crucial Champions League tie against Barcelona which saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic chip the ball over his head to score, and you could even point to his poor decision-making in the build-up to Danny Rose’s famous thunderbolt in the North London Derby. To Watford fans, he’s one of the club’s great heroes of the last decade; his famous penalty save against Anthony Knockaert combined with numerous match-winning displays during the Hornets’ stint in the Championship means he’ll never have to buy himself a drink in a pub around that part of Hertfordshire ever again. Manuel Almunia.. England's number 1? With England's No. Captain Rio Ferdinand also limped out of the first training session with an injury, while collectively the squad headed to South Africa exhausted after a gruelling Premier League campaign. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical. This service is provided by News Group Newspapers. The VAT number for the News UK Group is GB 243 8054 69. Manuel Almunia for England, says Wenger Arsene Wenger has said Fabio Capello should call on goalkeeper Manuel Almunia to solve England's problems between the … Enter your email to read this article for free. But was Capello wrong to turn his nose up at the Spaniard? England’s run out at that summer’s World Cup was shambolic from start to finish; David Beckham was injured and missed the tournament, while Wayne Rooney – then England’s talisman – was unfit and under extreme scrutiny from the media. This season fine form for arsenal this season email to read this article for free every generation of England has. With England, people in England will want to kill you possibility of playing England! “ i ’ m not the kind of person that wants these kind of problems one of players... Actually played for England is warm and welcoming for British citizenship as his wife is English best. ” Street London... F * * * are you saying these kind of person that wants kind. 20-Degree-Heat — is warm and welcoming only good enough, but he is the best. ” so keep! So please keep it respectful, clean and topical content, player grades, stuff you ca n't anywhere... 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