Spaniards Playing For England?!?

Peroxide addict and Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia recently sent out a 'pick me!' call to new England manager Fabio Capello, as the Spaniard will be eligible to play for England in a year's time.

For those of you unaware, if you are uncapped by your country and have played in country B for 5 years, then you are able to play for country B.

I know that foreign managers appear to have been the flavour of the month for quite some time... but foreign players? I don't think I even need to begin explaining why this is so wrong.

While it is unlikely that international teams will consist of predominantly foreigners in the near future, we take a look at a 5 players that Capello could call up to the England squad if he felt that the English boys weren't pulling their weight...

1. Gael Clichy - Arsenal
The French left back has been a member of Arsene Wenger's team for 4 years now, so in just one year's time could be the ideal back-up for the injury-prone Ashley Cole.

2. Carlo Cudicini - Chelsea
The 'Italian Stallion' has been second to Petr Cech for quite some time, but when called upon still delivers the confident performances that he once did a few years back. 7 years in England with no caps for Italy, could he be called upon to answer England's goalkeeping 'crisis'?

3. Mikel Arteta - Everton
"Arteta for England" is a chant that can be heard from Goodison Park these days, and now wonder considering the Spaniard's blistering form this season. Having spent a total of 4 years in the UK so far, he would make a welcome addition to the England midfield.

4. Sylvian Distin - Portsmouth
A marauding, physical and powerful centre-back, the Frenchman has been one of the main reasons that Pompey have been so watertight this year. With him and Sol Campbell combining well at the back, what forwards would fancy taking them on at an international level?

5. Steed Malbranque - Spurs
6 years in England and not a single French cap makes the pacy winger eligible for England duty. Steed, named after John Steed from 'The Avengers' (no, seriously), was voted the 45th greatest ever foreign player to play in Premiership by the English population, so would many people be against a call-up?

What do you reckon? Would you like to see any of these players play for England? Or should the rules be changed to stop this kind of thing? Leave your comments below.

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