Ever since Italia 90, England have always been dubbed ‘a quarter final side’ having not reached the semi-final since that exciting World Cup campaign. Now, English football is very much on the downward spiral, with the team having performed dreadfully in the World Cup’s in South Korea, South Africa and Brazil, as well as failing to qualify for the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland. With the emergence of St. George’s Park in order to produce talented youngsters that are sure to bring back the glory days for the three lions, Roy Hodgson is failing to recognise that there is currently plenty of talent already playing in England’s top flight.
One fundamental factor is that Hodgson has always selected English players plying their trade in English football’s top four clubs, regardless of how good they are. With the likes of James Milner and Chris Smalling undeservedly getting call ups in every international game – friendlies and competitives – it’s no wonder English football is on the downward spiral. Winning back the fans is another obstacle the experienced Hodgson has to clear, and the only way of doing that is playing against strong opposition in friendlies rather than playing teams like Norway in front of a measly 40,000 supporters, and picking players that are on form.
Starting with the defenders, where England have struggled since the international retirement of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. At right back, Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker have struggled with form and injuries respectively, meaning Arsenal youngster, Calum Chambers has had to make a big step up. An alternative is Tottenham Hotspur’s newest recruit Eric Dier. The English born defender, signed from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon, is one of a kind for the nation, and he hasn’t had a look in. Playing most of his football abroad, Dier operates like a European footballer, instead of a typical English full back, and could have the continental experience to be the saviour of the English backline.
Another player that the former Fulham and Liverpool chief should consider is Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross. Despite having only one cap to his name, the Potters centre half that is also club captain, has been ever present in the Premier League and pops up with the odd important goal on occasions. Strong in the air and exceptional when tackling, Shawcross, on countless occasions, has constantly been overlooked for Manchester United’s Chris Smalling, who very rarely gets a match at his respective club. Arsenal’s Kieran Gibbs is another to miss out every time Hodgson announces his international squad. Even a regular for a top four side cannot put the colours of his nation on his back and play for his country at Wembley. Finally, QPR’s Steven Caulker, who joined Harry Redknapp’s revolution from Cardiff City, is a young and hungry centre half that has the attributes and capabilities to form a formidable partnership with Gary Cahill, but Hodgson seems to know best.
Elsewhere, one player whom is very unfortunate not to even have his name mentioned for England duty is West Ham’s Mark Noble. The east end local boy has been an ever present for the Hammers, and has consistently performed to the best of his ability for the past five seasons. Yet, the closest he got to a call up was in last year’s friendly defeat at the hands of Sweden, where he was preferred to 33 year old Everton midfielder Leon Osman. Five years younger, Noble is energetic and hard working. With the recent retirement of Steven Gerrard, Noble could have a good crack at playing in the so called ‘quarter back’ position for the Three Lions, as he has done for the U-21 side, winning 20 caps. However, it seems that, putting two and two together, Tom Cleverley will have a better chance of being recalled by Hodgson, which is scandalous.
With the FA commission in place to improve the state of English football, bring through young talent, and target the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Hodgson is on course to destroy it. However, the England gaffer should remember this, the Premier League team that has produced the most capped English players is not Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City or Liverpool, its Aston Villa. With the top four’s on a never ending spending spree on foreign exports, English talent hasn’t got a look in, so as well as Hodgson failing to recognise underrated players, the FA are also to blame.
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