Beckham’s hope in youth – too much faith in Wayne Rooney
In the aftermath of yet another disappointed pre-World Cup friendly for England, Manchester United and Three Lions legend and former captain David Beckham has weighed in with his opinion and expectations this summer. An unconvincing 3-0 win against Peru, followed up by disappointing draws against Ecuador and Honduras (2-2 and 0-0) has not deterred the right-foot of the island nation from remaining positive and upbeat on England’s chances in Brazil.
"“There are some really good young players in the England squad and the fact that Roy has gone for that group makes it exciting. We’ve got the experienced players in there as well”"
It is certainly true, mr. Beckham, that England does in fact have a crop of talented young players in the squad. The core of experienced players to coincide with the long-awaited transitional youth movement for England has begun this summer, but as I personally have stated before, it will not be successful under someone as pragmatic as Roy Hodgson.
At just 18, Luke Shaw is the youngest player in the England squad, and tipped for a very bright future. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The average age of Ross Barkley, Luke Shaw, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones (10 of the 23 players going to Brazil, and all 24 years old or younger) is a refreshing 21.5. While this is certainly encouraging for the future in regards to age, England’s performances before the World Cup have done nothing to calm the nerves of a nation who’s supporters are fully expecting another disappointing display at a major tournament.
The beauty of England’s young players is that they feel they are ready to take on the world. You saw it in abundance if you watched the 2-2 draw against Ecuador; Barkley, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sterling always look eager to get the ball, take players on and play with that bit of youthful exuberance that England have lacked so long, but how prominent a role will they be given this summer? Beckham continues;
"“They are playing in the biggest league in the world week-in, week-out, I don’t see why they will go over there and be afraid. They are confident players, that is what you get with young players, the confidence – they won’t be scared to go out there and play”"
While Beckham has certainly seen what so many of us have, has Hodgson truly seen it himself? The England gaffer seem’s to have fallen prey to the notion that Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney are the answer to England’s problems. Welbeck is a young player who can only be described as a poor man’s Theo Walcott, and Rooney has not done anything of note in an England shirt at a major tournament since Euro 2004.
Despite his decent strike rate, so many question how Danny Welbeck (right) continues to be selected ahead of others. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Welbeck’s strike rate for the national team is actually decent (8 goals in 24 appearances), but he is a speed merchant. I certainly have seen 10-year olds with better technical ability than the United youngster, but his pace and willingness to get forward make him a strong asset – but not in the starting XI. A player in his mold is better suited coming off the bench later in the match to make runs behind a tired defense that has been run ragged all evening.
As for mr. England himself, Wayne Rooney has been largely invisible over the course of their warm-up campaign. A single goal (a tap-in from one yard, despite handball on Rickie Lambert not being called), Rooney’s ability has not come to the fore. Granted his star power lends him more attention from the opposition defense, but so much more must be expected from a player who is approach the all-time goal scoring record for his country. Despite his poor performances, Beckham feels Rooney is still the man to do the job;
"“I always back Wazza because I think he is a great talent and a great player for England. He turns up and always gives everything for England and I think the fans realise that. It is about confidence, as with all strikers and the games I’ve seen of United this season, he was the shining light. He has always been more about just scoring goals. He is a goalscorer but he works hard for the team and that’s what his game has always been about. If he doesn’t score, he is assisting or creating or working hard for team. I think for opposing teams to see Wayne Rooney on a team sheet – that scares them”"
Wayne Rooney must learn what it means to wear the number 10 shirt at the World Cup, and fast. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Regardless of what side of the tracks you fall on when it comes to the debate on who should walk out of the tunnel and on to the pitch against Italy in Manaus on Saturday, most England supporters agree that they expect them to underperform at yet another tournament. For me, personally, it comes to Hodgson not being able to make the hard decisions.
England’s back-four is set in stone and rightfully so, and the midfield pairing of Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson is both sensible and solid, though you could potentially champion the inclusion of Jack Wilshere at Henderson’s expense. The questions that will continue to be raised comes to his selection of attacking players. Barkley, Lallana, Sterling and Oxlade-Chamberlain have all shown far more in the build up to Brazil than Rooney and Welbeck. Hodgson has gone on record stating that he knows how England will line up against Italy (more on that here), and given the fact that we have seen Rooney and Welbeck from the off in two out of three friendlies, you can certainly see where that is going.
"Probable XI for England v ItalyGK: Joe HartDF: Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Leighton BainesMF: Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson; Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney, Adam LallanaFW: Daniel Sturridge"
It may very well be that England crash out of the tournament early, but it also may be entirely plausible that they do in fact impress this summer when so many thought to the contrary – but the biggest question of all, for me, is will Roy Hodgson be able to make the hard choices? When push comes to shove, if Rooney has a shocker against Italy and is once again invisible, will he finally pull the plug on Wazza and go with someone else?
The good news that must be remembered, is that England do have a wealth of talented young attacking players at their disposal – players that are by all evidence ready to take up the sword for their country. Unfortunately, we have no idea if they will be trusted to do so by the man who brought them in. That notion, above all, is the scariest thought.