Terry proves he's still England's defensive King - John Cross comment

By John Cross in 2010 World Cup Blog

Published 07:00 13/06/10

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Twenty years ago, playing together on Hackney Marshes, Ledley King and John Terry could surely never have imagined how they would be united for England two decades later.

Terry still has the team picture on his mobile phone of him and King from their days in the Senrab youth team in East London.

And last night before kick-off against the USA at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, the Chelsea skipper posed for another snap with the Tottenham defender.

What Fabio Capello wanted to see, of course, was that the understanding they had formed all those years ago could be replicated under the white heat of pressure that was an opening World Cup game.

They last played together for England in Estonia in June 2007 and the partnership formed all those years ago ensured they have an understanding which explains Capello’s uncharacteristic gamble on an injury-prone player.

But when King went off after 45 minutes, that gamble on Capello’s part did not seem quite so shrewd. In fact, it has arguably backfired already.

Last night, King did not seem so assured. In fact, King looked half a yard off the pace at times. And King being substituted at half-time only seemed to prove that his persistent knee injury problems have once again caught up with him. While Terry excelled, King struggled.

King all too often stood off or maybe could not get close enough to the USA forwards to stop them getting a shot on goal.

But even more concerning was King’s failings at set-pieces in the first half. USA midfielder Landon Donovan floated over a string of dangerous crosses which had the England defence at sixes and sevens.

In the 19th minute, Donovan’s cross found Jozy Altidore and King did just enough to put the USA striker off his stride.

But seven minutes later when Clint Dempsey sent over a cross, King lost his man and was just grateful that USA defender Oguchi Onyewu headed wide.

Capello, meanwhile, was furious down on the touchline.

Like every good partner should do, Terry was busy clearing up the mess, covering for King and marshalling the team as if he was still wearing the armband.

Terry also produced a top-class performance in the first half, commanding, throwing himself at every tackle, winning every 50-50 challenge and dominating in the air.

When the tempo dropped and heads went down after the USA levelled, it was Terry going round the team, picking them up.

King’s first-half failings were explained when Capello sent Jamie Carragher for the restart. The gamble of taking a player prone to injury backfired on Capello last night, especially with Rio Ferdinand already out.

Liverpool defender Carragher is an experienced and quality stand-in. He looked steady at the back but there were worrying signs, too. He is not the player he was a couple of years ago.

But another injury to England’s already stretched squad is a potential disaster for Capello.

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