England have had a dream start to their World Cup qualifying campaign; seven wins from seven games tells the story of how good they’ve been. Their counterparts on Wednesday, Holland, have had a similar start and both look to be heading towards South Africa next year.
There is however, a distinct difference between the two countries – their domestic leagues. The Premiership, since its formation has enjoyed great success – the Eredivisie not so much, sparingly producing serious Champions League contenders, their last – PSV Eindhoven in 2005. With Dutch talents often gravitating towards Europe’s top leagues they are able to gain different and valuable experiences; educating them to play against different opposition.
Capello’s reign as England manager has allowed him to demonstrate his professionalism and tactical astuteness. Selecting a team from a strict pool of players, the transition wasn’t going to be easy from club to international management but he has managed to create a system that allows the players to express themselves whilst also being pragmatic and accommodating young players into the squad.
Capello looks the correct man to lead England to their first World Cup since 1966, but has he been at a disadvantage from the start?
Winning the World Cup requires more than a good team of players. It requires luck, individual talent and favourable conditions. Most of these factors are out the hands of the manager or even the players – but there is something that could have prepared England better? One thing missing from England’s relative successes of the 80′s is the distribution of English players in foreign leagues.
The Brazilian team almost play exclusively in Europe. With this they are able to mix their Samba skills with a European education to become complete footballers and on the international level it shows through their adoption of a faster, more physical game.
Spain benefited last year when they won the European Championships. Players such as the outstanding Torres and Fabregas both ply their trade in England and offer that something different.
Frank Lampard had more than an opportunity to move to Inter when Mourinho took the job last summer and there have been similar calls for Steven Gerrard to make the jump. Whereas both may have reasons to stay, it’s arguable that both players are good enough to play anywhere. The reluctance to test themselves is a shame, especially since they have both been playing in England for a decade.
Players such Chris Waddle and Gary Lineker are players who have benefited the national team from going abroad, with Gascoigne, Walker and Platt following them post Italia ’90.
The success of the Premiership therefore has become a dent against the national team. Whilst English clubs continue their assault on the Champions League, the Three Lions struggle to obtain a stranglehold on the international scene. No one can force the England players to move abroad but expanding their reach into Europe may be the final ingredient for a long awaited World Cup success.
England have, and will always be, a category B team. Sometimes they will raise themselves to an A minus level, sometimes sink to a C+ but invariably they are in the same international pot as Holland, Portugal, Sweden and Russia.
The mentality of the players is wrong. The whole country gets carried out with a modicum of success and then looks for a whipping boy to blame for the inevitable failure. The cycle is the same it is just the circumstances that differ.
The World Cup is a 6 game knockout. That is why Bulgaria, Poland, Sweden, Turkey and Croatia have all found themselves in the last 4 in recent tournaments.
Yes it is going to be winter out there. So what. The footballing world is so scattered these days and players play in such diverse weather that the stereotypes of old (eg English can’t play in the heat and the South Americans “don’t like it up ‘em” no longer apply.
I have, at this juncture, no idea who will win the World Cup. I just can’t see England doing it. No heart to grab a game from 2-1 down to turn it into a 3-2 victory.
Posted by warren heyman | 14 August, 2009, 07:54To me, I’ve never seen a lack of heart being the issue for England – though as you say recently the players seem more interested in money and fame rather than their own performances for England.
As Steve says, the 1990 World Cup team that was a genuine contender and the best England side in recent memory had a smattering of talent based abroad. Since those halcyon days though there have been very few English players taken the plunge. I’m not even sure why? Is it the language? Do they think they are incapable of playing in a more technical league? It can’t be just the money can it?
Of the current English players I think the time is right for Joe Cole to move after the World Cup. If he proves his fitness, he has the ability to succeed in Spain or Italy. I also think that post World Cup, Rooney would be wise to move on, think he would develop massively as a player playing for Inter, Juve or Barca. That also brings me to the opinion I have that if you can it is better to move earlier rather than later in your career, you’re more likely to adapt and learn from the experience. Will be interesting to see how Pennant changes as a player and person in Zaragoza.
I also think that the move is a good thing for the players that have disciplinary problems in the UK. They quite often seem easily led by their hangers on, see Gazza, Joey Barton, even Steven Gerrard – that element is removed when they are on foreign soil and they play all the better for it. Gascoigne probably had his best years in Rome, away from the bright lights of London and the distractions of his disruptive mates.
Posted by Steve Atkinson | 15 August, 2009, 15:25English players moving abroad would definitely benefit their national team, as they would be exposed to new surroundings and a different style of football.
As for England’s chances at the World Cup, I think they have a manager who will be able to produce a team who grind out results even when things aren’t going well, and they could well make the last four.
Having said that, I think England are a talented collection of individuals, rather than a great team. If they do make the latter stages of the World Cup, it may be down to the failings of others, as much as anything else.
At the moment Brazil and Spain seem to be the favourites, but Argentina are in a mess, the Italians looked poor at the Confederations Cup and you wonder whether Germany or Holland are good enough to go the distance.
Posted by William Heaney | 16 August, 2009, 21:34