Capello's first experience of club vs country row

It is probably a reflection on the way in which Fabio Capello runs things in the England set-up that we haven’t had a club vs. country row for a while.

The latest, Ledley King’s inclusion in the squad for the friendly against Slovakia and the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine has caused some excitement partly because it involves Harry Redknapp, one of English football’s biggest personalities. But for me it’s a very sad story that involves one of the most talented footballers in England.

A fully fit Ledley King would be in any England starting line-up. His composure, temperament, leadership qualities and ball distribution would force him into most squads in European football.

But his injury record is chronic. Like a counterpart from my own playing days, Paul McGrath, Ledley is a player of talent whose injury problems are blighting his career.

King needs a week to fully recover from a game and doesn¹t train between matches.

Last year he only played four league games. He was also forced to pull out of contention for the World Cup squad in 2006. McGrath suffered similar bouts of bad luck when it came to injuries, again knee-related that, in all probability, curtailed a medal-laden career.

Harry Redknapp was naturally quick to make his displeasure known toward the England camp and many people sympathised. Fabio Capello, however, saw things through a different set of lenses.

He saw an in-form defender whose defensive solidity is crucial to his club, and whose partnership with Jonathan Woodgate continues to flourish. In fact, I feel they’re as good a pairing as Manchester United’s Ferdinand and Vidic.

Woodgate is another one susceptible to long-term injury problems and as a consequence he has missed a lot of football. We've never consistently witnessed them playing as a defensive pair over a period of games until now.

King’s withdrawal from the squad means we can look at the situation from both perspectives. The club v country question always needs compromise. The outcome of this particular episode will no doubt delight Spurs fans and disappoint some England fans.

As for the fixtures themselves, I’m going for victories for England.

They top the qualifying group and they’re also commanding respect for their performances.

I put this down largely to Capello’s increased level of communication with the players. You have heard it before but football is a simple game and it is crucial for a manager to be able to convey his thoughts and ideas to the players. Otherwise, they won’t know what’s expected of them.

Juande Ramos is an example of this. A good manager but one who perhaps couldn’t quite overcome the language barrier in England. Capello’s grasp of how best to communicate to his players through language and long held knowledge of what players need is working, which can surely only be a good thing for our World Cup hopes.

South Africa, Warsaw and Chelsea all top of the agenda

The dust has now settled on our recent trip to South Africa, and I and my fellow members of the Charlton Athletic Foundation Trust have got the chance to digest another successful trip. After seven years of visits, carefully laying out our template to help some of the country’s most troubled areas, no-one expected the project to run and run like it has done.

It’s been an unqualified success and we’re looking at the World Cup in 2010 as the point where we hand over the reins to the agencies on the ground in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg. The legacy we leave behind will be key and, after what we hope to be an amazing four weeks of football, the country should be energized into using the power of the game as a force for good.

UEFA conference to provide direction on discrimination

I’ve just got back from the ‘Unite Against Racism’ conference in the Polish city of Warsaw. This comes as part of my work with the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network, a pan-European organisation dedicated to combating discrimination in European football.

These events can help the cause hugely. One only has to look at the English game to see the mix of nationalities and backgrounds in the Premier League alone. This eclectic mix makes for excitement but small-minded groups will always rail against it.

UEFA, in my opinion, have always taken a firm stance against racism at every juncture and whatever form it comes in. They’re ‘the daddy’ and do great work.

The ‘Unite Against Racism’ conference gave players, policy makers and fans the chance to sit down and talk about some of the burning issues we face in a constructive manner. And it’s not rocket science either. Good people, strong leadership and a commitment to the cause is a simple but effective recipe for progression.

Guus banishes the blues at the Bridge

It’s been a busy few weeks at my old club Chelsea. First Scolari leaves in a blaze of publicity and confusion. Then, they land one of the most sought after coaches in the world.

I’ve always held Guus Hiddink in great regard. From his days at PSV to his exploits with South Korea at the 2002 World Cup, his CV is impeccable. In my experience, the arrival of a new manager usually gives the players and the fans a boost.

But when it’s someone with Hiddink’s credentials, it could completely kick start a faltering season. And if recent performances against Juventus and Aston Villa are anything to go by, there’s still life in the title chase yet, though I still think its Manchester United’s to lose.

Hiddink has managed to get inside the players’ heads and make them want to play again. Look at Drogba. A player of unquestionable talent but who’s been underperforming. Now he’s firing on all cylinders. And Chelsea’s season is all of a sudden back on track.

They’ll face a tough challenge in the semi-finals of the FA Cup against either Arsenal or Hull, but with Hiddink at the helm, I see no reason to bet against them making a return trip to Wembley in May.

News from the Valley and South Africa

From the peak of the Premier League to the foot of the Championship and Charlton Athletic, the team where I began my career back in 1981, are having mixed fortunes.

On the field, they're having a torrid time. One win in 17 tells its own story. But off the pitch, the club continues to shine.

The club's Charitable Trust along with the CARE (Charlton Athletic Race Equality) Partnership is doing strong community work. I'm currently in South Africa as part of the club's international outreach work.

We've linked up with the enforcement agencies in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg to help them forge long-term and effective links with young people.

The inner cities in these areas are blighted with crime, rape and other serious issues. But it's football that has the real hold on the youngsters there.

We're using our experience and know-how to help bind the police and the kids, using sessions and workshops and some good old-fashioned kickabouts too.

In the past there hasn't been too much in the way of trust between the two parties. But football is the tool to help change that.

Charlton has long received plaudits for its community work and rightly so. And as a fan, I'm hoping some of this positivity can translate to the pitch. I for one am keeping the faith.

Scolari, and patience, have left the building

Like a lot of people, I’m a little bit shocked. Chelsea are still very much in the race for honours but it appears that there’s been unrest rumbling with the players for some time.

Scolari has I think failed to draw on his undoubted class as a national manager and adapt to the day-to-day running of a high-profile club in a very difficult league.But despite all of that, do the results warrant a sacking this early in the season? I’d have to say no. And this simply reinforces the notion that Premier League managers aren’t given the requisite time to hatch success.

First Paul Ince, then Tony Adams, now Scolari, all talked up to be the answer and then dismissed before really having the chance to stamp their authority, influence and ideas on the team.

It’s a throwback to Serie A in the 80’s, where tolerance and patience where equally scant. Compare this sort of situation to the stability long in evidence at Arsenal, Manchester United and even Everton, a team not considered to be amongst the ‘Big Four’. The message from these clubs is that success comes in part through sticking by your manager and trusting his judgement.