In a different world, I could have been born disabled, female, or not even born at all. With that philosophical thought, and with England's 23 confirmed for the World Cup, I am offering a different England side, a side that barring injuries, bad luck, or simply just not being good enough, could have been contenders to be in the squad for South Africa.GK: Richard Wright
What if Wright hadn't done so badly for Arsenal? Injury prone, sure, but his performances for Ipswich during his first run in East Anglia were brilliant, convincing Arsenal to fork out as much as six million pounds in 2001.
His England debut a year earlier against Malta saw him concede a penalty while saving another, and only one more appearance followed. At one point a contender for the best young goalkeeper in the world, but now without a club following his release by the Tractor Boys.
RB: Micah Richards
Just what has happened to Micah Richards? After making his England debut in 2006 after just 28 professional club appearances, Richards lost confidence and gained several stone, losing much of the momentum of a career that started so promisingly. Still just 21 he has plenty of time to make himself right and get his international career back on track, but he needs to start performing week in, week out for City, and to stop roasting barely-legal girls.
CB: Sol Campbell
Yeah, he's an old man now, yes he's lying about his sexuality, and yes he speaks like a lisping idiot, but towards the end of the season was he the best English centre half in terms of form? His Lazarus-like rebirth as a genuine defender has been astounding, and I would have much more faith in him leading the defence than certain other players.
CB: Jody Craddock
Artist, defender, goalscorer - three adjectives that rarely reach the caveman England squad. His girls name could eliminate the need for the WAGs, and his age combined with Sol Campbell would strike fear into the most pacey of forwards.
LB: Wayne Bridge
John Terry. Enough said.
RM: David Bentley
Two or three years ago David Bentley was the heir apparent to the England right wing slot. His imperious performances for Blackburn attracted much interest, but his move to Tottenham has proved to be a mistake. Nevertheless, there is still time for him to come again, but his lack of express pace could prove to be a weakness compared to the speed of Lennon and others. Perhaps the best crosser in England.
CM: Nigel Reo-Coker
The buzz around Reo-Coker in his Wimbledon and West Ham days was huge as he made his name as a tenacious midfielder with an eye for goal. However, continuing a theme that has hit so many of these could have beens, his move to Aston Villa hasn't worked out as he has had limited playing time for them amidst rumours of bust-ups with Martin O'Neill.
CM: Seth Johnson
Holding midfielders tend to peak around the thirty mark, but Seth Johnson, aged thirty, hasn't played football for over two and a half years. His form at Derby was good, but injuries curtailed his career, especially at Leeds where his infamous contract negotiations have gone down in history.
LM: Ashley Young
If only he could perform in the big games. Young Ash has everything you need to be a great winger in this day and age - pace, flair, fantastic dead ball delivery, but his poor form last season has counted against him.
FW: Darren Bent
120 goals in 288 league games, coming off his most most successful season to date... and he still can't get in the squad, let alone the first eleven. When a man promises to pick a team on form, and instead picks a lumbering, oafish striker who has scored three goals all season, then who is there to believe in?
FW: Michael Owen
40 goals in 89 international matches. The boy wonder. Injured again, but what if he was fit?
Manager: Big Sam Allardyce.
Martin Hines
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