It's easier to predict the weather in Singapore than to anticipate England's best eleven for next year's World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
Players who did well during the qualification campaign may not automatically be first-choice under England coach Fabio Capello. There are still a few areas in the team which are up for grabs.
Since England have already qualified, I'm sure Capello will take this chance to try out new options. I do think Capello basically knows which players he wants to field.
Like for instance, the crucial position between the posts. The goalkeeper's jersey could be anyone's. The other day, Capello was looking at Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster and what he saw would not have impressed him.
Robert Green's doing very well for West Ham so he might have a look-in. The turmoil at Portsmouth may or may not have affected David James but in terms of experience, he may have a slight advantage. I do think he still has a lot to prove to be able to be the number one goalkeeper for England.
I would think the back-four is settled: Liverpool's Glen Johnson, Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand as well as Chelsea duo John Terry and Ashley Cole. And provided they stay fit, this is probably England's strongest defense.
In midfield, England should feature the same triumvirate of Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Gareth Barry. These three can interchange positions at will and this is another area which England are strong in. What's left is the fourth spot in midfield. I reckon Capello will have to decide which wide player he needs. It's one area which I think he is still contemplating over.
Joe Cole may be the automatic choice here but the Chelsea player will have to slug it out with Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
You can't discount Theo Walcott too. Although Joe Cole and Walcott were not called up for the upcoming games, they will be waiting for a chance to sneak back into contention should Lennon and Wright-Phillips fluff their chances.
The main problem that England have, as I have mentioned before in my column, is that they lack a world-class center-forward to partner Wayne Rooney.
England do not have an out-and-out striker who can help the Manchester United striker.
Someone in the mould of Didier Drogba: A big man with pace and skill. Emile Heskey is the closest we have got to this type of striker but he's not getting enough games at Villa.
Considering what he has at his disposal, it will have an impact on what England's formation will be. Be it 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. Capello could play two up-front or two wide. No matter what, Rooney will be the key man for England.
Players like Gabriel Agbonlahor and James Milner may not be considered to be first-choice picks, but it's essential that they earn some experience just being around the England squad and learning new habits. I think they deserve this type of chances.
I will always remember getting my senior call-up for England. That's one of the best and proudest moment you can experience as a footballer. I do remember contacting my parents first when I heard about the news.
Till now, I still feel the pride and excitement of wearing pulling on the jersey and representing my country. It was a magnificent achievement to be able to play for England.
And it was the late Sir Bobby Robson who decided to call me up. He is a true gentleman and he's also someone who likes a banter or two. I just spoke to him last season during a game at St James' Park. He always got my name mixed up and called me *Steve McManaman'!
He is a true gentlemen and he will be sadly missed.
Steve McMahon, former Liverpool midfielder and England International, is a resident football analyst on ESPN's Football Focus and Football Forecast. Read his predictions on www.espnstar.com
