TAKE A CHANCE
ON THE FORM BOOK
Two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho is back in the Brazil squad. He won the 2002 World Cup and on-route to doing so, scored a 35-yard free kick against England in the quarter-finals. It is still debateable whether he meant it or not.
2013 marks 150 years since the formation of the Football Association; The achievement is a remarkable landmark in the world of football and this has been recognised throughout the industry with the congratulations plaudits which has been passed on from the world’s biggest names. While the work the English FA should be celebrated, the leading members should err on the side of caution in regards that this year does not become a novelty milestone. The English national team is quite a way off from a lot of teams from around the World but there are real moves being implemented to at least try and make up the difference between England and the elite teams. St George’s Park has been a huge indication that English will go through a revamp building from the grassroots level, involving coaches and referees as well as players. Introducing a footballing complex facility like this has been a long time coming as France have had these thriving institutions for the last 20 years. Now that is not completely suggestive that the English youth set-up is a failure in comparison – far from it, but the facility at Clairefontaine has centrally helped to produce some of France’s greatest talents. The structure of youth academies at English clubs is superb and makes the reason to
close Lilleshall justified. However you can’t help but think that a central system for English players can only benefit future England hopefuls. Regardless, this is all based upon a theoretical discussion of what is best, and more pertinently the next generation. The fixture against Brazil on February 6 will focus on the here and now. Roy Hodgson has made interesting selections since beginning his reign as England boss. Taking Oxlade-Chamberlain to the Euros was a bold but an applauded move. But while the youngster was always likely to be an international at some stage, Hodgson has also showed that he will also extend an opportunity to those who are in-form. Leon Osman is a prime example; Works hard, plays every week and is an integral player to Everton’s hunt for Champions League football. There are those who do feel though, despite Osman being 31, the fact Everton are now a real force in the Premier League is the only reason he now gets a look. Norwich fans will testify to that as Grant Holt had a great season in 2011-12 but never had a look-in. There has been a claim down the years that only the big club’s players will only get a call, which to an extent has been true. However if you look at the last squad, there is still hope to anyone who aspires to be an England international.
photo by: Action Images
International Football is back in 2013 and a glamour fixture with Brazil at Wembley is up first.
A fear of ostracising talented and in-form players at clubs outside the top six should be a fear for the England manager. It is evident that Hodgson does not have the biggest pool of Englishmen playing at the highest level, fundamentally due to the commercial success of the Premier League, but there are few players who should not be overlooked for Brazil, simply because they are in excellent form. Spain recent dominance may register them as one of the greatest teams –if not the greatest- of all time but even they recognise that players in red-hot form shouldn’t be overlooked. Vicente Del Bosque’s admission that Michu, even at 26, will be involved in Spain’s next squad is a justified reward for the work Michu has done since moving to Swansea. If England adopted a similar policy, here are a few names that may make the immanent squad.
MICHAEL DAWSON Suffered a serious knee injury on his competitive England debut in 2010 and has featured only twice since then. His Spurs career has been stop start since with injuries, indifferent form and at the beginning of the season was told he can leave Spurs. He decided to stay and has fought his way back to the starting XI in recent weeks with commanding displays. His trademark cross-field diagonals have been hitting the targets and he is now reaching the levels prior to 2011. England ar lacking centre backs, with Terry quitting, Lescott not playing and Shawcross a little out of form, there are places up for grabs.
WAYNE ROUTLEDGE Arguably the league’s most improved player this season and with by far his most consistent season, he surely deserves a place in Roy Hodgson’s thoughts. Especially if Ashley Young is ruled out through injury, Routledge’s form should see him in there as his goals and link-up play have pushed Swansea onto another level with them being firmly consolidated in the top half of the table and on the way to Wembley in the League Cup final. Like most wingers, the question was of him, ‘can he cross’/’has he got the killer final ball’ this season so far he has proved it more often than not.
LEON BRITTON When Michael Carrick decided not to be involved at Euro 2012, a natural replacement could have been Leon Britton. Carrick has excellent passing ability but has never had a real opportunity in competitive international action, and it might be wishful thinking that Britton, now 30, will be given a chance. However, a criticism of England during the Euros was an inability to keep the ball when they needed to. Leon Britton may not be dynamic but he had a better pass completion rate than Xavi last season.
ADAM LE FONDRE The Reading striker is a natural finisher despite often deployed as an impact player off the bench. He has scored goals at every level and he has worked his way up to the big time, which would suggest he could do it at international level. His game isn’t based on tactical or link-up interplay, but being a deadly finisher from inside the box and England do lack a ‘preferred’ No.9.
SOME ONE FROM ST. MARY’S..... ADAM LALLANA, RICKIE LAMBERT, JASON PUNCHEON, LUKE SHAW, NATHANIEL CLYNE Lallana had a call up earlier in the season, but despite being unquestionably Southampton’s best player, Southampton have been doing well without him in recent weeks. The dead-ball master Rickie Lambert has done really well this year, and just like Le Fondre, he has worked his way through the leagues, scoring goals. He has excellent technique and has shown he is not afraid to physically put it about. Puncheon has been an unsung hero for the saints recently as he has an eye for goal and can carry the ball a long way on his own. Their form at the front has ensured Southampton adjusted to life appropriately after a rocky start. A look at both full backs Clyne and Shaw may also be necessary in future, as both have proven despite being 21 and 17 respectively, they can mix it with the league’s best.
AARON LENNON Lennon is a real threat these days, as just like Routledge, he has consistently found a final ball and chips in with a few goals. His pace has always seen him be a menace to the opposition but he has now upped his work rate as he had previously been culpable of being onedimensional. His unpredictability has provided the perfect balance with Bale down the wings for Spurs and just his ability to turn defence into attack successfully this year, should make him a shoe-in for the next England squad. photo by: Stu Forster/Getty Images
DANNY ROSE Has received high praise from Martin O’Neill for his consistent performances this season at Left back and his manager will be pleased that Spurs have not decided to recall him. Quick, rough in the tackle and attack minded, and this has seen him be transformed from a Winger to Full back. He will probably be the Under-21’s first choice Left back at the U21 Euros in Israel this summer.
Photo by: Tottenhamhotspur.com
MARK NOBLE Shares a lot of the attributes that Leon Osman possesses; High work rate, stamina, excellent vision and is very much the heartbeat of his team. Noble may have been disappointed not to get a call up against Sweden, and without him West Ham may not be enjoying a comfortable return to the Premier League. Was a regular with the Under-21 but is apparently also eligible for the Republic of Ireland.
Even away from the Premier League, there are a few in decent form JOEY BARTON He probably will never be given another chance to earn another cap, but he has been a regular in the team, which is currently challenging for ‘Ligue 1’ and the Europa League. He is a technically a good player, but controversial on a level surpassing Mario Balotelli. TOM INCE Wilfred Zaha got an opportunity to join up with the England seniors despite still playing in the Championship. Zaha is destined be a Premier League player before September one way or another, but so is Tom Ince. Ince is probably the best player in the Championship this season, he has a big future in the game and although Zaha is the talk of the town, England should be keeping tabs on the progression of Ince just as thoroughly.
GARY HOOPER He will be up against Juventus in the Champions League for Celtic (if they can keep a hold of him) and has been scoring regularly in since his arrival at Celtic Park. Scoring goals in Scotland does not necessarily mean that can be replicated in the Premier League but he is scoring goals though, regardless. With interest coming in for Hooper from English clubs, maybe his international future does depend on his inevitable move south.