|
|
England Comment: Why Steven Gerrard Should Start On The Right For England, As David Beckham Bows Out
Liverpool skipper can provide much needed quality from the flank.
Mar 15, 2010 6:30:00 AM
By Amar Singh
With David Beckham's devastating injury blow ruling him out of the 2010 World Cup and seemingly heralding an end to a glorious international career, Fabio Capello may have to shuffle his pack.
Of course the 34-year-old Beckham was unlikely to start in England's opener against the USA in Rustenburg on 12 June.
But he was, nevertheless, likely to be named as part of Capello's 23-man squad, to be used as an impact player off the bench, or for someone to come on and help retain posession if England have a tight lead to protect.
With Beckham's absence in South Africa, the onus will be on Steven Gerrard to orchestrate England's set-pieces and free kicks.
But perhaps Gerrard can also fill Beckham's boots by providing England with some much-needed quality on the right as Capello is not blessed with in-form, proven options who can play there.
It was hoped that Tottenham Hotspur's flying winger Aaron Lennon, who began the season in stunning fashion, would recover in time to give England the desired pace and quality on the right wing.
But Lennon's groin injury has perplexed Spurs' medical team and Harry Redknapp has admitted that he is unable to set a date for the 22-year-old's return.
Next in the pecking order are Arsenal's Theo Walcott or Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips.
The former seems to be showing flashes of brilliance for Arsenal after struggling to find his best form this season following a series of injuries.
But in England's friendly against Egypt earlier this month, Walcott gave away possession and failed to complement his searing pace with a quality final pass.
Shaun Wright-Phillips came on and dazzled, notching a goal and an assist in the second half. But can the diminutive star thrive as a starter for England? Those who remember the sloppy performance he put in against Brazil back in November, will not be convinced.
Other options available to Capello include Ashley Young, who after a fantastic season last year, has flattered to deceive for much of this season; Stewart Downing, who has rarely shown his best form in an England shirt; and Manchester City's young prospect Adam Johnson - who is still inexperienced and unproven at the top level.
Aside from there being no stand-out contender to play on the right, the reasons for moving Gerrard there are ten-fold.
Yes, Steven Gerrard really is the best player to start for England on the right.
In the 2005-06 season, he played on the right for Liverpool, scoring 23 goals and whipping in numerous crosses for Peter Crouch, who will feature for England this season.
Gerrard may not have the pace of a Walcott or Lennon, but he is the master of the 'give and go'. His one-twos with team-mates can create space, and playing on the right can allow him to surge into the box.
Wayne Rooney has shown this season that he thrives on a steady supply of crosses coming in from the right, relishing the pin-point delivery of Antonio Valencia at Manchester United this season. Gerrard is second only to David Beckham in his crossing ability.
With the attack-minded and defensively-suspect Glen Johnson as Fabio Capello's preferred choice at right-back, having an experienced and more complete midfielder in front of him - who is also his club captain - can also provide a vital safety net.
The only downside of Gerrard on the right wing? He hates it and famously referred to the role as 'the graveyard shift' in his autobiography.
But this was for Liverpool, where he relishes 'bossing' the game from midfield. For England, Gerrard plays 'from the left', often exposing the left-back as he roams in midfield seeking to get more involved.
This is less of a problem when a fully fit Ashley Cole is playing, but with the Chelsea defender's ankle injury jeopardising his starting place at the World Cup, the likes of Leighton Baines or Stephen Warnock could be horribly exposed against the better teams in the tournament.
If Gerrard moves to the right, the in-form and energetic James Milner can come in on the left and claim the starting place he deserves following his outstanding season for Aston Villa.
Steven Gerrard has had a poor season for Liverpool, and has suffered from injury problems and the immense pressure that has accumulated on the team.
Indeed, he has not escaped criticism for his part in some of the worst performances Liverpool have put in for many years.
But he will be as hungry as anyone this summer to show his critics that he is still one of the finest attacking midfielders in the world - and starting for England on the right will provide him with the perfect platform from which to do so.
Become a fan of Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game
Of course the 34-year-old Beckham was unlikely to start in England's opener against the USA in Rustenburg on 12 June.
But he was, nevertheless, likely to be named as part of Capello's 23-man squad, to be used as an impact player off the bench, or for someone to come on and help retain posession if England have a tight lead to protect.
With Beckham's absence in South Africa, the onus will be on Steven Gerrard to orchestrate England's set-pieces and free kicks.
But perhaps Gerrard can also fill Beckham's boots by providing England with some much-needed quality on the right as Capello is not blessed with in-form, proven options who can play there.
It was hoped that Tottenham Hotspur's flying winger Aaron Lennon, who began the season in stunning fashion, would recover in time to give England the desired pace and quality on the right wing.
But Lennon's groin injury has perplexed Spurs' medical team and Harry Redknapp has admitted that he is unable to set a date for the 22-year-old's return.
Next in the pecking order are Arsenal's Theo Walcott or Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips.
The former seems to be showing flashes of brilliance for Arsenal after struggling to find his best form this season following a series of injuries.
But in England's friendly against Egypt earlier this month, Walcott gave away possession and failed to complement his searing pace with a quality final pass.
Shaun Wright-Phillips came on and dazzled, notching a goal and an assist in the second half. But can the diminutive star thrive as a starter for England? Those who remember the sloppy performance he put in against Brazil back in November, will not be convinced.
Other options available to Capello include Ashley Young, who after a fantastic season last year, has flattered to deceive for much of this season; Stewart Downing, who has rarely shown his best form in an England shirt; and Manchester City's young prospect Adam Johnson - who is still inexperienced and unproven at the top level.
Aside from there being no stand-out contender to play on the right, the reasons for moving Gerrard there are ten-fold.
Yes, Steven Gerrard really is the best player to start for England on the right.
In the 2005-06 season, he played on the right for Liverpool, scoring 23 goals and whipping in numerous crosses for Peter Crouch, who will feature for England this season.
Gerrard may not have the pace of a Walcott or Lennon, but he is the master of the 'give and go'. His one-twos with team-mates can create space, and playing on the right can allow him to surge into the box.
Wayne Rooney has shown this season that he thrives on a steady supply of crosses coming in from the right, relishing the pin-point delivery of Antonio Valencia at Manchester United this season. Gerrard is second only to David Beckham in his crossing ability.
With the attack-minded and defensively-suspect Glen Johnson as Fabio Capello's preferred choice at right-back, having an experienced and more complete midfielder in front of him - who is also his club captain - can also provide a vital safety net.
The only downside of Gerrard on the right wing? He hates it and famously referred to the role as 'the graveyard shift' in his autobiography.
But this was for Liverpool, where he relishes 'bossing' the game from midfield. For England, Gerrard plays 'from the left', often exposing the left-back as he roams in midfield seeking to get more involved.
This is less of a problem when a fully fit Ashley Cole is playing, but with the Chelsea defender's ankle injury jeopardising his starting place at the World Cup, the likes of Leighton Baines or Stephen Warnock could be horribly exposed against the better teams in the tournament.
If Gerrard moves to the right, the in-form and energetic James Milner can come in on the left and claim the starting place he deserves following his outstanding season for Aston Villa.
Steven Gerrard has had a poor season for Liverpool, and has suffered from injury problems and the immense pressure that has accumulated on the team.
Indeed, he has not escaped criticism for his part in some of the worst performances Liverpool have put in for many years.
But he will be as hungry as anyone this summer to show his critics that he is still one of the finest attacking midfielders in the world - and starting for England on the right will provide him with the perfect platform from which to do so.
Become a fan of Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.