The World Cup blues have almost departed. Roy Hodgson has the enormous task of rebuilding a broken nation. The dilemma over captaincy is the first thing off the tick list, but the remaining boxes Hodgson has to tick are increasingly difficult and the list is extensive.
The philosophy going into the World Cup seemed to be one of youth. Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley, amongst others have now had game time and seemed to be comfortable adjusting to the extreme levels of pressure World Cup football brings. The issue is if you go out in the group stages with one point, it doesn’t do young players’ confidence levels the world of good, even if they were not responsible for the failings of the nation. Youth it seems, with the announcement of the new England Squad, is what Roy Hodgson is entrusting to take England forward. The squad for the games against Norway and Switzerland consists of 4 previously uncapped players, and with many existing young talents below are 5 England players who will be pivotal in the squad’s future success:
5 Future English Football Stars
Calum Chambers (Arsenal) – There were those who were sceptical, when after less than a handful of games for his new club he was being linked with the England team. Sceptical or not he has thoroughly deserved his first England call up. Chambers has impressed before his time at Arsenal though, he has been part of the England set up at both U17 and U19, level, being made captain when playing for the U19s. He also has the ability to help out going forwards and is fairly fast. As an all round player, he will be of vital importance for England if he can live up to expectations.
Current rating: 6.5/10
Potential rating: 9/10
Jack Colback (Newcastle) – Roy Hodgson has given young Jack no pressure whatsoever, bringing up the fact he has been labelled the ‘ginger Pirlo’. Obviously he has a little way to go before coming close to that kind of calibre, but he certainly has the ability to make an impression if given the chance to get some game time in the upcoming matches. Gerrard and Lampard, although both very good players individually, struggled to ever produce for England as a pairing. This certainly frustrated England fans, at 24 Jack Colback might not be everyone’s answer to the new hole in midfield, with 11 minutes under his belt for the under 20s his only previous experience at International level. However he has been consistently part of the first team for Sunderland and now Newcastle and in his time in the Premier League at least made a name for himself. A surprise for some England fans, but hopefully a pleasant one if he makes his first appearance in the upcoming matches.
Current rating: 5.5/10
Potential rating: 7.5/10
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) – One of the most exciting prospects for England, and a player who has the potential to really change a game. In Brazil he was one of the few players, when receiving the ball, who had the confidence to actually try and make an impact. Did he lose the ball more than most? Maybe so, but in doing this he actually showed he was willing to take criticism in exchange for the chance of actually creating something for the team. Many players seemed like they wanted to avoid being a scapegoat for any failings at the World Cup, Sterling looked fearless and seemed to have a firm belief in his own ability. Even if his performance wasn’t perfect, the experience he gained will be vital and he will now be able to comfortably continue his run in the England team, without having to find his feet like the uncapped players coming in.
Current rating: 8/10
Potential rating: 9.5/10
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) – Disappointment would sum up his World Cup at Brazil, though it was through absolutely no fault of his own. The fact nearly every press conference leading up to the tournament featured several questions about the Arsenal youngster’s injury progress shows how highly valued he is in the squad. If he can keep fit he ticks a few of Hodgson’s boxes. The key one, of course being youth. Strangely though he is one of those players, despite his age that has a wealth of experience for club and country. For England he was part of the Euro 2012 squad. For Arsenal he has shown quality too, in high pressure games and in particular last year against a Bayern Munich team with several World Cup winners, he proved to be maturer than his age suggests. For young players like Chamberlain and the aforementioned Raheem Sterling, their lack of fear in big games is highly impressive and makes them easy choices for Roy to call on in the future.
Current rating: 7.5/10
Potential rating: 9/10
Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) – It’s easy to forget Sturridge is only 24, albeit with his 25th Birthday to come this Monday. Sturridge’s time at Chelsea may have been a blessing in disguise. Although he never found his feet for Chelsea he managed to take the criticism on board and become and even stronger player when joining Liverpool. At Liverpool he proved he could play alongside a top quality striker in Suarez. In Wayne Rooney, like him or not, you have another player who on his day can be unstoppable. In Brazil both managed a goal but looked a little tentative playing alongside one another. This might be fair enough as they hadn’t been paying together for long, now, however they can expect a run of games together leading into the next two major tournaments. If the two can form a strong partnership, England’s strike force actually looks stronger than it has for quite some time. Sturridge could be vital in making the new look England team complete.
Current rating: 8.5/10
Potential rating: 9/10
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