As Fabio Capello begins to finalise his 23 man squad for South Africa, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has urged the England manager to select Charles N’Zogbia to solve England’s left hand side crisis.
With Ashley Cole facing a battle to be fit for the tournament and an out of position Steven Gerrard occupying the left-hand side, width isn’t England’s strong point.
N’Zogbia is soon to complete the required residential period of leaving in England for five years, making him eligible to be considered for the national side.
The ex-French Under-21 midfielder has yet to be selected for the French senior side and his manager has suggested he should be considered by Capello.
Martinez said: “I asked Charles the other day about England and he said he was hoping. I think he is definitely open to playing for England.
“I thought he wanted to play for France but he’s been living in England so long now he’s ready to present whichever country asks him.”
The left wing position has long been the thorn in any England managers’ side.
Sven Goran Eriksson even resorted to playing Emile Heskey wide left, a player not known for his pace, as resources were limited.
With Joe Cole failing to establish himself in Chelsea’s first team and James Milner playing most of his club football in the centre of midfield, this leaves Stewart Downing as England’s only option.
N’Zogbia is left footed, usually deployed on the right hand side on Wigan’s midfield, showing versatility on both sides of the field.
The former Newcastle player has also filled in at left-back during his spell in the North-East, therefore offering Capello cover.
Not only scoring goals but creating them this season for the Latics proves N’Zogbia possesses more than enough quality to be selected.
But would Capello really consider taking a Frenchmen to wear the three lions shirt this summer?
Well this isn’t the first time a foreigner has been considered for an England call up.
During Eriksson’s reign, the Swede wanted to bring Carlo Cudicini, Louis Saha, Steed Malbranque and Edu into his England squad after Euro 2004.
The fear of an outcry from English supporters of an Italian, a Brazilian and two Frenchmen representing the national side prevented the players from being considered.
Isn’t it about time English football stopped living in a bubble and stopped hampering their own chances of success?
Other sports in this country have adapted to the rules and regulations that allow foreign players to represent the national teams.
Lesley Vainikolo, the most prolific try scorer in Super League history, was called up to England’s rugby union national side, despite originating from New Zealand.
And the ‘Barmy Army’ don’t mind cheering when South African born Kevin Pietersen scores a century for England.
So why should it be any different for the national football side?
Fabio Capello isn’t shy of making big decisions, proved by striping John Terry of the England captaincy.
The Italian could make his boldest move yet by selecting the first overseas player to represent the English this summer.
There would probably be a huge outcry from the likes of The Sun and The Daily Mail and their readers if someone like N’Zogbia was included.
Personally I’m a little confused on this issue. On the one hand I don’t see any reason why not. Other leading nations have done similar: Senna in Spain, Deco in Portugal, Cacau in Germany. On the other hand I think there’s a danger that players pledge their allegiance to other countries just because they can’t get a game for their own.
Posted by Geoff Edwards | 11 March, 2010, 11:13It’s a sad indictment on our game that this is a viable option now isn’t it. As Geoff says if N’Zogbia was good enough to play for France then he would be playing for France. Is it good for us that they have better players than him so we get the opportunity to play him? The difference between France and England in footballing terms isn’t just the fantastic series of academies around the country, Clairefontaine is just one of five. It is the fact that the younger French players will move abroad in order to further their careers, get playing time and learn to play in new systems and interact with different cultures. Is this the first step to admitting we are forever going to be importing talent? I’m not sure where I fall on this one, I’m liberal enough to think borders should be open to all, but understand the importance of social pride and community spirit. It’s important to lots of people that English football doesn’t lose it’s identity, something we can only retain be developing talented players and coaches.
Posted by Steve Atkinson | 11 March, 2010, 15:38Not that I want to derail the discussion, but given Beckham’s injury, do you think the right side is in equal crisis?
Posted by Ben Cohen | 16 March, 2010, 22:21Personally I’m not sure Beckham’s injury will have too great an impact. His dead ball skills will be missed but it wasn’t even sure he’d be on the plane to SA before his injury. I still think there are plenty of options on the right: Walcott, Wright-Phillips, Adam Johnson, David Bentley. James Milner and Ashley Young are also capable of playing on the right.
Posted by Geoff Edwards | 17 March, 2010, 12:03I agree with Steve on this one. All for open borders but not sure on how I would feel if they hired a coach of another nationality for the brazilian team, imagione an abroad player. It seems to me that those interactions between international players and their new countries are an indication of our times, more open to things and to different people, maybe that´s the final frontier to the Brits and the French, play football togheter.
Posted by Fabricio | 17 March, 2010, 18:14Fabricio, what do fans in Brazil think of Brazilian players who pledge their allegiance to other countries (in football terms at least). It seems that Brazilian players do it the most, do you know why that is?
“maybe that´s the final frontier to the Brits and the French, play football togheter”
Maybe then the Brits would actually win something!!
Posted by Geoff Edwards | 18 March, 2010, 11:08Hey Geoff, for us is quite normal now. The first ones in this new era, played for Japan I think and it was rather unusual for us to consider a “change” in nationality. But now Brazilians are all over the place so is pretty regular for us. We believe that most of those players would not have the chance to be considered in the Seleção anyway. But some nations should consider a maximum of players not born in their country, because otherwise we may see teams with 5 or 6 Brazilians in their line up, and that is just not good for the game.
Posted by Fabricio Presilli | 21 March, 2010, 20:09Pandora’s box has already been opened and, as Fab has noted, the Brazilians have all been let out. It is not just Brazilians, either. Africans, Turks and many others are being recruited and capped by foreign countries. I understand, too, that the World Cup is the biggest stage in football and the fans want to see the brightest stars competing. Still, as this trend continues to grow, the difference between international and club football becomes almost nonexistent.
Posted by Martin Palazzotto | 7 April, 2010, 17:30I think he’s since played for France, so this is out of the question now. He’s French anyway, don’t think there was ever a real chance of him being selected. Pity!
Posted by FootballFarrago | 15 November, 2010, 21:02