Newcastle’s Steven is Taylor-made for Capello

Although Steven Taylor, Newcastle United’s defensive rock, still has to make the grade at the national team, many critics believe that he deserves to earn a place in the squad for the European Championships next summer.

Magpies manager Alan Pardew is keen for Fabio Capello to consider Taylor for future internationals.

The Newcastle centre-back, according to Pardew, is playing the best football of his career.

The 25-year-old has represented England at U-16, U-17, U-20 and U-21 levels, also captaining the U-21s between 2007 and 2009.

He was called up to the senior squad in August 2007 for the friendly against Germany but played no part in it.

After nine matches, Newcastle are still unbeaten, rubbing shoulders with the elite clubs. They were also undefeated in their final three league games last season, bringing the total to 12 matches without a loss overall.

If Newcastle can keep that positive form going, they could well find themselves playing in Europe next season.

Taylor was born on January 23, 1986, in Greenwich, London, and signed professional with Newcastle in 2002. His debut for the Magpies came on March 25, 2004 against Real Mallorca away in a UEFA Cup tie.

The 6ft 2ins (1.88m) defender is a Newcastle player through and through. He was away from the club only for a short period in the very early stages of his career when he was loaned out to Wycombe Wanderers in 2003-04, playing six matches.

Taylor held the record as the Magpies’ youngest debutant in European competition until it was broken by Andy Carroll in November 2006. Taylor’s league debut came on March 30 at Bolton Wanderers where he played at right-back. That was the only game he played in 2003-04.

Season 2004-05: Premier League 11 games (2 substitutes). FA Cup 2 matches. UEFA Cup 4 games (3).

Season 2005-06: Premier League 12 matches. League Cup 1 game. Intertoto Cup 3 matches.

Season 2006-07: Premier League 26 games (1), 2 goals. FA Cup 2 matches, 1 goal. League Cup 3 games. UEFA Cup 10 matches, 1 goal. Intertoto Cup 2 games.

Season 2007-08: Premier League 29 matches (2), 1 goal. FA Cup 3 games.

Season 2008-09: Premier League 25 games (2), 4 goals. FA Cup 1 match. League Cup 1 game.

Season 2009-10: The Champion-ship 21 matches, 1 goal. FA Cup 1 game. League Cup 1 match.

Season 2010-11: Premier League 12 games (2), 3 goals.

This season, Taylor has played in all nine Premier League matches for Newcastle.

First goals

In season 2006-07, Taylor scored his first senior goal in the UEFA Cup tie against Celta Vigo (November 23).

That season he also netted his first Premier League goal for the club, in the 3-1 win against Blackburn on December 9 at Ewood Park.

Yet, that season, Taylor had con-sidered a move away from New-castle after losing his place in the team under then manager Sam Allardyce and also rejected a contract extension.

Then, when Kevin Keegan took over from Allardyce, Taylor won his place back and at the end of the season decided to prolong his stay.

At the end of that campaign, he was chosen to play in the England ‘B’ international against Albania in Burnley (May 25). In the Under-21 UEFA Championship, he played a big part in Holland as England reached the semi-finals before losing in a penalty shoot-out 12-13.

In 2008-09, Newcastle were relegated to the Championship but bounced back in style with Chris Hughton as manager. The Toon gained 102 points and scored 90 goals in the process.

Before the New Year of 2010, Taylor again signed a new deal at St James Park that will keep him there until 2016.