#SPIRIGINEERS CORNER: A LOOK AT RISING ENGLISH POTENTIALS As a fanatic of English football, a Manchester United aficionado and a radical supporter of the three lions (YES! I support the English national team!), I only find it natural that I have such keen interest in the progress of young English chaps. I plan to do a series on young and promising English prodigies (I will make it short and concise so it won’t be boring) who can take up the mantle when the likes of Steve G, Frankie Lamps, Mike Carrick, Ash Cole, and the likes retire. Boasting the likes of Rooney, Lampard, Gerrard, and others, it is difficult to fathom the lack of success for the English national soccer team. Since defeating West Germany in 1966 4-2, England has failed to win the Fifa World Cup. England has not reached the semifinal of a major tournament since Euro 1996 and in Euro 2012 they were defeated by Italy in the quarterfinals Truth be told, I believe the presence of the above mentioned players (and some others including Roy Hodgson) are to blame for the predicament of England. They are so accustomed to the English style of play - cross, side pass, and wayward shots; that it has become so easy to defend and outplay them. Again, they play so well for their clubs only to start playing the ‘traditional English style’ when they don the Three Lions Jersey. Oops! I am getting carried away. Forgive me. Anyway back to what this whole post is about. I am just going to do a couple of lines on some rising English stars who can help turn the fortune of England around. Before you slain me, don’t forget that prior to Euro 2008, Spain was not a power house in international football even though they had have and were boasting of the likes of Iker Casillas, Fernando Hierro, Pep Gaurdiola, Raul Gonzalez, Luis Enrique, Mendieta, and the likes. They got the revelation: developing their academies and ‘feeding’ the youngsters with one particular footballing philosophy. With some of the game’s top youth academies, England has the potential to mold together a great squad. It may not be successful anytime soon, but it will surely pay off just as it has done in Spain and is doing in Belgium. I hope to write a concise article on the problem facing the English National Team soon. Please note that what I write about a player is based on my observations and opinions therefore if you happen not to agree with anything, do well to address it as maturely as possible. No need for insults, we all have a lot to learn. Gracias
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:03:57 +0000