Darren Bent for England??

The big question amongst many football critics and especially Sunderland football fans is; should Darren Bent feature in Fabio Capello’s squad for the World Cup in South Africa?

Bent becomes the most expensive player at the Stadium of Light, eclipsing the £9m paid out to Hearts in 2007 for goalkeeper Craig Gordon, immediately becoming a fans favourite, and rightly so as Bent has had a magnificent season for Sunderland AFC.

Capped four times by England at senior level, Bent made his name at Ipswich, coming through the clubs academy to debut in October 2001.
He went on to sign for Charlton in June 2005 for an initial £2.5m after netting 55 goals in 116 starts for Ipswich. In his short 2 year stay for the Addicks he managed to hit the net 37 times from a total of 79 games.

Bent went on across the capital in June 2007 and signed a contract with Spurs for £16.5m, a big-money move it proved to be where he became Tottenham’s top scorer in the 2008/09 season. He netted 25 Goals in all competitions from 43 starts and a further 36 substitute appearances.

Darren Bent became Sunderland’s record singing in August 2009 moving from Tottenham Hotspur and penned a four-year deal after the two clubs agreed a £10m fee.

A few decent stats show that Bent has not been quiet in front of goal, and not forgetting netting 24 goals in the Premier League this season becoming the second highest English top goal scorer in the League.

Since Christmas Bent has scored 14 goals in the league, and nine in his last nine games. Discounting Rooney, in the same period, England’s other leading candidates Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole and Bobby Zamora have just 14 between them.

Bent has even surprised himself with what is a career-best season’s haul. He said: “I don’t know if I thought I’d have so many. I always knew I could do well and score goals for Sunderland, but I have to pinch myself sometimes with 25 goals. But you always have to believe in yourself and your ability and I do that 100%.”

Fabio Capello has already stated that he would take in form players to the World Cup, and Darren Bent is certainly in form this season. He certainly has my backing to be Wayne Rooney’s back up at the World Cup, but does he have yours?