There has always been a bias in the English national team for players that play in the traditional top four, this has now perhaps opened up to a top six in the last few seasons. The point still remains that the vast majority of players, come from Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool or Tottenham. To an extent there is good reason for this, as you would expect, the best clubs have the premium English talent. But do they really? You would not say that the core of any of those teams is essentially English, barring possibly Manchester United. It is also an important factor that the English players in these teams simply haven't performed, even if we say that United do have an 'English core' it isn't one that you would particularly like to pick from. Young has been very poor this season, Ferdinand looks like he has lost far more than a yard of pace, Welbeck is still struggling for goals when given easy opportunities.
With many United fans questioning whether they are good enough to wear their red shirt right now, are they good enough to wear the England shirt? Players should be picked on form and if that means going outside the top sides or even the country then so be it. Fraser Forster was outstanding against Barcelona, the double stop in particular first from Neymar and then from Alexis, was as good as you'll ever see. Yet, Joe Hart England's regular goalkeeper struggled throughout last year and has continued into this year, gifting Bayern two goals and depending on how harsh you want to be possibly all three. There is an argument that he was against the European Champions and his entire team played badly, Forster was against Barcelona, who are no slouches and played most of the second half with ten men. Forster for me should be in goal, at a pivotal point in qualifying he is a far safer pair of hands.
Ashley Young as I have already mentioned has had a particularly poor year or so at Man United, how then does he still get in the England squad. Is it because England have no other options? No of course not, it is because he is a star name and that is how the England managers of the last ten years have insisted on picking teams. There are some great English wingers outside of the big clubs, Nathen Dyer has been outstanding at Swansea for the last three years in the top flight, signed when the were in League 1 for £400,000. Before you laugh, look how well Rickie Lambert did when he came into the squad last time out, no one would begrudge him another start. Give Dyer a chance, he can't be any worse than Young at this moment in time, and at 25 he could be the answer to left wing problems for the foreseeable future. Another Swan who has been consistent in his performances all year is Leon Britton. at 31 he's probably over the hill in terms of an international call up, but with better passing stats than Xavi in terms of accuracy. Is he not worth a punt?
Another side who are outside the big clubs, but do always have one or two names in the squad are Everton. Currently the only unbeaten side in the Premier League, a large amount of that is down to the midfield that they have put together under Martinez. Gareth Barry who has been and England nearly man, playing bit roles when players are injured and the the new 'English Diamond' as Martinez called him, Ross Barkley. They have been outstanding in midfield, with Barry picking up scraps leaving Barkley to use his flair further up the pitch which at times is Iniesta-esque. I don't want to put too much pressure on the boy because he's still very young but he is the next star for England and should be in the squad now because he is good enough.
I know many people will read this and say immediately, "but there are better players than...." whoever I've mentioned. True on there day some of England's players are the best in the world, but how rarely has that day been in an England match. You are only as good as your last performance and as it stands the players I've outlined deserve a chance because of the form they're showing.
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