Michael Carrick - Midfielder - England World Cup squad 2006
squad no. 18

club: Tottenham Hotspur
position: Midfield
age: 24
caps: 6
goals:

A midfield player with two good feet, who can spot and play a pass and doesn't run around at a million miles an hour. It's no wonder that Sven is suspicious.

Carrick could have an influence if used wisely. The likelihood is that he won't be used at all.

Football England Verdict
Rating: 7.00

Only got the one outing so his rating is a little artificial but he did show up to advantage when given the nod against Ecuador.
His prospects still look bleak with Lampard and Gerrard ahead of him and Hargreaves perceived as the best holding player. Carrick could turn out to be one of English football's biggest wastes if we do not find a way to accomodate his talents.

Portugal 0-0.
Back on the bench and was never going to feature after Rooney's red card.

Ecuador 1-0.
Football England rating 7
Carrick gave a good performance after finally being brought into the side. Question marks will remain about his defensive capabilities against better sides (until he gets to play against them) but his passing is on a different planet to that of most holding midfielders.
He produced four or five really telling balls in the first half that a sharper Rooney might well have profitted from.
I would like to see him stay in the side. His influence would get even greater when those around him got used to having him there.

Sweden 2-2.
His chances of appearing at all look to be diminishing.

Trinidad 2-0.
It doesn't look like we're going to see much of Carrick during this tournament.

Paraguay 1-0.
After the reports of bids from Man U. and suggestions that he would be the man selected if Gerrard didn't make it Carrick predictably spent the afternoon on the bench.
Eriksson is crazy not using him. He is the tidiest of all our midfielders in keeping possession but he stayed on the bench while Downing came on to run down blind alleys and Hargreaves was introduced just to increase the sense of panic within the ranks.
Open your eyes, Sven, this guy can be of use.

Check back here for Football England's Assessment of Carrick's Performances and News.