Time waits for no man. Nor does it wait for any nation. If you stand still you will have a hell of a job catching up. For the last 75 of it’s 150 years, English football has stood still. Now it is wildly attempting to catch up.
The process began back in 1997 when Howard Wilkinson became FA Technical Director. The Academy program began and the fruits of the labours began to be seen. Since then further steps have been taken. Another reworking of the Academy system with the Elite Player Performance Program. The Future Game document outlining a style of play and an outline for the development of players. Most significantly, the introduction of the Youth Modules by the FA in an attempt to educate coaches and the changes in game structure using 5 v 5, 7 v 7 and 9 v 9 building up to 11 v 11. All designed to get players more touches of the ball and make them masters of the football.
Of course, on top of this is the flagship, St George’s Park. A centre for national development. Designed as a hub for the education of coaches and the training of players (although Brendan Rodgers says you train dogs, we educate players, in the end it is still training). Though there are arguments to be made that St George’s Park is only available to the elite, that one centre is not enough, it’s mere presence is a step in the right direction. Another lengthy stride closer to those ahead in the race.
Which of these steps is most important? A heated debate would commence to fully answer that question. For many years people have argued that the England has not produced players with technical ability. Players who are good passers, adept at keeping possession. Nor have they produced players capable of dribbling and breaking through defences. Is that argument really true? Look at the players who have been playing for England in the last ten years. Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Scholes, Beckham, Joe Cole, the list goes on. To say that these players are technically deficient is plainly untrue. To say that these players are poor passers of the ball is also untrue. Yet the evidence has been plain to see in the England team’s performances. Even with technically gifted players England struggled to keep the ball. So the answer cannot be technical. It must be mental. The mentality of English football is not to keep the ball. The mentality is to ‘get rid’ of it. Often when young players pass the ball, they do not want it back. They are relieved that they do not have it any more. Relieved that they can no longer make a mistake by misplacing a pass, or worse still dribbling and losing the ball. They cannot be hammered by the parents watching or the coach. They have got rid of the ball and with it, the responsibility. If no one wants to keep the ball, if no one wants to dribble, the world will pass you by. If no one is encouraged to be brave and do these things and criticised when they attempt them, they will never do them. Not as a young player. Not as a pro. Not as an international. For these reasons, I would argue that the Future Game document and Youth Modules are the most important steps forward. A philosophy and understanding that will allow the development of exciting young talents.
This does not mean that there are not exciting young talents out there right now. While we bemoan the ending of the ‘Golden Generation’ there may well be, with a combination of opportunities, top coaching and good fortune, a new generation ready to step forward. Here is a list of young English players under the age of 23. Some are already regulars in the England squad. Others may be in the future. I warn you, this is not a short list and future England managers could have a tough task picking their squads.
Jack Butland – 19 – Stoke City – The young goalkeeper shone for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics. He is having an excellent season for Birmingham to the extend that Stoke were willing to spend £3.5 million on him.
Steven Caulker – 21 – Tottenham Hotspur – After a fantastic season on loan with Swansea he has been pushing for a regular place back at Tottenham. A central defender noted for his ability to keep possession.
Phil Jones – 20 – Manchester United – Since joining Manchester United injuries have hindered his progress. Great versatility has been evident in his deployment at full back, centre back and in midfield. Recent man marking roles against Cristiano Ronaldo and Mourane Fellaini show his tactical maturity.
Andre Wisdom – 19 – Liverpool – Has been deployed as a right back for Liverpool but spent most if his youth team career as a centre back. Very strong and composed, when you watch him play it is easy to forget how young he is.
Chris Smalling – 23 – Manchester United – Another player who has proved versatile by playing both as a full back and central defender for club and country. Not yet a regular for either but his chance will surely come. Hopefully he can take it.
Nathaniel Clyne – 21 – Southampton – Very quietly the young defender has had an excellent season in the Premier League. He is starting to attract the attention of “bigger” clubs.
Luke Shaw – 17 – Southampton – An exciting young left back combining dribbling skills and steady defending. A very sound player technically and a product of the Southampton youth system that has developed a number of fine players.
Carl Jenkinson – 21 – Arsenal – Recently out of the Arsenal starting eleven but began the the season as first choice full back (admittedly Sagna was injured). Showed enough to be called up to an England squad.
Kieran Gibbs – 23 – Arsenal – Another technically accomplished full back. Arsenal developed Ashley Cole and now they have Kieran Gibbs. Another young player who has problems with injuries but if that can be solved he should be a regular in England squads.
Jack Robinson – 19 – Liverpool – Became Liverpool’s youngest ever player when he made his first team debut aged 16. Since then he has made sporadic appearances in the first team, but remains first choice for the England U21 team.
Kyle Walker – 22 – Tottenham – One of the best right backs in the Premier League and an England squad regular. Dynamic pushing forward with great pace and a powerful shot.
Jonjo Shelvey – 20 – Liverpool – has been pushing for a first team spot at Anfield. The potential to be a goalscoring midfielder, who takes up terrific positions in and around the area. A little more assurance needed in his finishing.
Jordan Henderson – 22 – Liverpool – The England U21 captain and U21 player of the year. He has received a lot of criticism but is very good at keeping possession and making forward runs off the ball. Started to show his potential at Anfield and many will help that there is more to come.
Josh McEachran – 19 – Chelsea – Currently on loan at Middlesborough. He has a reputation for not giving the ball away and keeping his team ticking.
Jack Rodwell – 21 – Manchester City – City spent big money (£12 million) on Rodwell. He had been impressive in midfield during his time at Everton. Plenty of energy combined with good technique, but he needs to find a roll at Manchester City to rediscover the international future that looked certain while at Everton.
Jack Wilshire – 21 – Arsenal – The jewel in the crown. Already considered pivotal for club and country with his ability to run with the ball, pick a pass and make a tackle. Imagine if he adds goals?
Tom Cleverley – 23 – Manchester United – A fine passer of the ball with an eye for goal. Manchester United see him as the successor to Paul Scholes.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 19 – Arsenal – While he has not been as effective during recent times The Ox made a big impact after making his debut. A strong runner with the ball and often with an end product. Yet another player who has come out of Southampton.
Nick Powell – 18 – Manchester United – Signed from Crewe for£6 million. While at Crewe he helped them to promotion scoring in the play off final. Has already scored a senior goal for United.
Will Hughes – 17 – Derby County – The most exciting young player outside the Premier League. Renowned for his dribbling skills and directness. The scouts have been following his progress closely all season. He believes his strengths are his technical ability and passing.
Tom Ince – 21 – Blackpool – A product of the Liverpool youth system and they desperately want him back. A mazy dribbler who has had a fantastic season in front goal.
Raheem Sterling – 18 – Liverpool – His early season form was such that an England cap was his reward. Fast and skillul he could be a thorn in the side of defences for many years to come.
Theo Walcott – 23 – Arsenal – Pace has been underlying theme. Walcott showed European football his pace with a hat trick for England in Croatia back in 2008. He has frustrated many since but the goals are starting to flow.
Danny Welbeck – 22 – Manchester United – While not a first choice for Manchester United (not surprising with Rooney and Van Persie ahead of him) he gets plenty of games and plenty of goals. Scored a wonderfully inventive goal for England at the European Championships.
Wilfried Zaha – 20 – Manchester United – Signed for £10 million plus future fees and loaned back to Crystal Palace immediately, Zaha was linked with almost every top half Premier League side. Pace and trickery are his main weapons, especially his ability to use both feet.
I could have included many more players (Rose, Cork, Sinclair, Stones, Kane) and I suspect that there are plenty that we are yet to see. In terms of personnel, England look well stocked, provided they get chances to play.
If the FA template has only just come into place, how can there be so much potential around? The answer must be the opening of English footballing borders. The influx from oversees has not just been players, it has been coaches and ideas. From being an outsider England has become an insider. Involved in the network of ideas that has served European football so well. The benefits are beginning to be felt at club level. At grassroots level the ability to form networks and share information and ideas has never been better. Twitter has become a strong forum for coaches and events like The Grassroots Football Show allow coaches to meet and see what is happening around them. No one has to exist in isolation. Nor do England any more.
If fortune smiles, the future could be very bright.