Can the Loss of Barry and Lampard Bring Some Excitement to the Three Lions?

If I were an England fan, I would have nothing to worry about concerning Barry’s and Lampard’s injuries; I might even take out a bottle of champagne.

If this midfield combination did not work in 2008 and 2010, when both of them were at their peak age, why should we be bothered by the fact they will be missing the tournament when they are both in their 30s and have been worn out after a long and hard season?

But before I cry out for joy, the real depressing fact lies in the standby squad. A defender who has been struggling with fitness is called upon to replace Gareth Barry; and now Jordan Henderson would be the obvious choice to replace Lampard.

We do not need another paragraph to describe how disappointing Henderson’s season had been. So where are the names of Michael Carrick, Jake Livermore, or even Leon Britton?

Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are all top-class midfielders, but they just never work well together. Their roles on the field are always ill-defined, that it is more like playing fantasy football rather than a tactical formation by the manager.

It is more surprising when every one of those has injury concerns; but Michael Carrick’s name has not rung the bell of Roy Hodgson at all. Carrick and Parker, to me, is the perfect duo for England if they are to play their counter attack football in Euro 2012.

Carrick has been playing as a holding midfielder in Manchester United and his positioning would help when Parker surges forward to start attacks. He may not be the quickest midfielder, but this will not be punished too heavily in this relatively slow-pace tournament. 

If Hodgson is really up for a more defensive minded squad, Jake Livermore’s chances should not be hindered at all. His lack of international experience is a clear disadvantage, but how many times has he come into the game this season to help protect Tottenham’s narrow lead? He is a promising and energetic role player which is being neglected completely; and isn’t Hodgson having his sights on the 2014 World Cup instead of the Euro?

Livermore deserves a senior cap

Leon Britton’s omission will only be down to his club’s reputation. Milner is selected for his versatility, but Downing and Henderson are included just because of they are from Liverpool. Even when injuries open up slots in the 23-man squad, the lesser known players' fantastic season is not rewarded with an international call-up which they are well-deserved.

Having insufficient time to prepare for the tournament may be the perfect excuse, but when you look at the Italy and France squads, big names are left out to make way for in-form players. Hodgson was brave enough to leave out Odemwingie last season but now he is not being himself when he is in his dream job. I won’t count my hopes on a manager who succumbs to pressure from not including big names in the squad.

A Tribute to Milan Legends

Lampard and Drogba may have made their final curtain call in Blues last weekend while elsewhere, three veterans decided to leave a club they have played 761 times in their combined 34 years of service.

Among the three, Gennaro Gattuso is the lowest profile one. The ever-fierce-looking midfielder always announces his presence on the field with his unfathomable tank of energy. With minimal interest in play-making, his intelligence weighs heavily towards breaking opponents’ play. Gattuso’s never-say-die attitude impacted AC Milan’s formation significantly for the next decade, allowing the soft Andrea Pirlo to shine in the anchorman role with protection from the persistent and marauding defensive midfielder.

When Carlo Anchelotti took full control in 2001, followed by the arrival of Filippo Inzaghi and Alessandro Nesta, the spine to AC Milan’s success had finally been formed.

Alessandro Nesta is probably the world’s best defender. He is strong, quick, composed, skilful, but also fragile. Nesta joined AC Milan in 2002 after a fruitful career at Lazio. His terrific partnership with Maldini had resolved the aging problem of AC Milan’s defence. In merely the first two seasons, he led Milan to bag five major trophies, including the long-missed Scudetto.

Filippo Inzaghi’s start in Milan was less straight-forward. His acquisition from Juventus was questionable, due to the similarity in style with Ukraine legend Andrei Shevchenko, but his goal-scoring record speaks for himself – 2^nd all time goal scorer in European club competitions (Raul being the 1^st); most hat-tricks in Serie A (10) and UEFA Champions League (3); all-time top scorer in AC Milan and first player to score in every international club competitions for European teams. On top of the records, “Pippo” had scored important goals for Milan en route to becoming champions, notably the brace that avenged Milan against Liverpool in the Champions League final rematch in 2007.

Their contributions went beyond club level; yet despite the 208 senior caps for Italy among the trio, only Gattuso was a major contributor to his country’s triumph in international competitions. The influence of the Gattuso-Pirlo partnership was extended profoundly to the national squad in 2006 and led Italy to their 4^th World Cup title; Alessandro Nesta and Filippo Inzaghi could do no more than watching on the bench.

In spite of a horrific goal-scoring profile, even on the international level, Inzaghi often found himself at the bottom of the pack, falling behind Franscesco Totti, Alessandro Del Piero and Luca Toni in the starting lineup. Being prone to injuries was also a reason for his lack of recognition at the national level but injuries was a worse curse for his teammate Nesta, seeing all three of his World Cup trips ending in injuries.

No matter how good a player you are, the clock would not stop ticking for you. The inevitable emergence of young forces has reduced the involvement and importance of the trio; nevertheless, having not won a title since 2007, Nesta and Gattuso, at 35 and 33, fought against various injuries and still played major roles for AC Milan in their domestic League and Cup double in 2011. Inzaghi, who suffered from a season-ending injury, was determined to play on for another year at the age of 37. Nothing can keep their passion and professionalism for football away and this should be remembered and respected by the football community, particularly in a world today where players may be tempted by a better-paid contract over more playing time.

They aren’t just brilliant footballers with impressive CVs; they are as charismatic as they are successful. Gennaro Gattuso banked his shaving time for gym work and is perhaps the most influential player without the ball. Alessandro Nesta is the leading figure of modern defenders, always looking to start the wave of attack by playing out of the defence. “Pippo” is never known for his tricks to fool defenders, but more as a fox in the box, causing turbulence and nuisance by consistently challenging the offside trap. On what might be his last game in Italy, after yet another injury-plagued season, he reminded the world that he is, always, born to score goals.

These three living legends have not only left a mark in the history of football but as well as in the lives of Milan fans. We look up to them; we aspire to be like them. We are happy for them and we are sad with them. They will no longer be in their Milan shirts next season but it is evident that they love football too much to stop playing. Whether their future lies in Russia, Qatar or America, there is always a place for them not only in the Milan museum but also in our hearts. 

Expected Disappointment from the Proudest Man in England Football

Squad: (GK) Joe Hart, Rob Green, John Ruddy (DF) Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, John Terry, Joleon Lescott, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines (MF) Theo Walcott, Stewart Downing, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Steven Gerrard, Gareth Barry, Frank Lampard, Scott Parker, Ashley Young, James Milner (FW) Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Andy Carroll

Probable Formation: It could be the usual 4-4-2 Hodgson has preferred as 4 wingers are selected but with Wayne Rooney suspended in the first two games, England could well start with Andy Carroll up front alone with wingers providing crosses as well as cutting in for a shot in a 4-3-3/ 4-5-1 and turn to Defoe the poacher off the bench as opposition defenders start to tire dealing with the Carroll’s physical presence.

Questionable Choices: Well well well, are we back to the 2010 World Cup? Has Hodgson found a plan to make the unsuccessful partnership of Gerrard and Lampard to work? With Parker now finally cementing a place in the national team, why is Gareth Barry still needed, who is not assigned the left midfielder role anymore? Michael Carrick, on the other hand, playing in a similar role as Barry and offering more creativity and longer better passing range, is once again overlooked. Rather than forming a quartet of 30-years old midfield, why not give a younger Englishman a chance of competitive international football, say the impressive Jake Livermore? This will be a central midfield combination lacking speed, energy, fitness and creativity.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has finally made it in the squad after brilliant cameos for Arsenal but Adam Johnson, often coming on as a late substitute but still managed 6 goals and 2 assists in 26 appearances, was left out to make way for the inexplicably dreadful Stewart Downing. Johnson’s unwillingness to commit to defence – the reason why he was frozen out by Roberto Mancini – may not suffice a starting place but the City winger could provide a great impetus when Hodgson needs a spark or two late in the game. The same applies to Aaron Lennon who has constantly been a threat down the flank for Spurs but the lightning-fast winger’s inconsistency have dropped his opportunity.

Possible Aftermath: The selection offers few surprises, not to fans but more importantly to the opponents. The mundane squad has limited flexibility and, especially without key player Wayne Rooney, their tactics and game plan become once again predictable. With Les Bleus looking to harvest from a blossoming young squad, surviving the group stage would already be a big achievement for Hodgson.

2010 World Cup and 2012 Friendly, Deja Vu?

Long Term Development?: When Capello was dismissed, the FA did say whoever the successor is, fans should not expect too much and their target is set in 2014 at Brazil. Yet from what we are seeing, 7 players are over 30 years old – most of them being core players – and 9 more will become 28 or older in 2014. If the FA and Hodgson are determined to bridge the gap between the old and young generation, they should definitely trim the aging portion and let more young lions to blend with the experienced to have a taste of competitive international football. Micah Richards (23), Adam Johnson (24), Jake Livermore (23), Tom Cleverley (22), Aaron Lennon (25) and Daniel Sturridge (22), not to forget the injured Jack Rodwell (21) and Jack Wilshere (20), are all established players for top Premier League clubs and will be close to their peaks in 2014. Unfortunately, they do not have the opportunities to blend as a group this summer. Would one be surprised to see Parker and Barry still retain a place in 2014? I would not.

Truth Behind the England Fantasy Football

The league has finally come to an end in the most extraordinary fashion. In merely two minutes, Manchester City elevated from hell to heaven to end their 44-year league title drought. The biggest winner of the dramatic day must be football fans worldwide.

With the curtain fallen, the attention is now shifted to the European Championship. Nevertheless, the cool-headed England fans will realise they have much more to worry about this summer.

When Hodgson announces the squad on Wednesday, there will not be an X-factor or anyone who is on the cream of the crop this season in the squad. Van Persie, Yaya Toure, Aguero, David Silva, Kompany, Demba Ba, Papisse Cisse, Tim Krul, they are all the bright stars of this season who consistently put up five-star performances; but none of the above are English.

Apart from Joe Hart and Kyle Walker, none of the top four provides the national team with exciting prospects. Manchester United seemed to be the cradle but injuries and pressure have faltered the once promising Chris Smalling, Danny Welbeck and Phil Jones. Instead, England will rely again on their predictable and unthreatening football in Poland and Ukraine, with their old spine of the team – John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney.

So, them again..?

In contrast, Spain has emerged to dominate Europe relying on the cores of Barcelona and Real Madrid; Germany shocked England in 2010 with unbeatable pace and discipline on the field. The two teams have not been short of supply of young bloods from their local top teams’ academy. Having grown up and trained together for ages, they bring mutual understanding and team chemistry to the national level.

On the other hand, among the individual talents in England team, there are only chaos and hostility. Hodgson still has little idea on resolving the conflicts between John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, once the key defensive duo of the Three Lions.

The defeats of Manchester clubs in Europe this season have already sounded the alarm. Athletic Bilbao and Benfica upset Manutd, while Napoli and Sporting ended Manchester City’s European dream. They have no fear towards the big spending powers and it is true that not every England club can show this recklessness every week to challenge. Although Chelsea’s presence in the Champions League final still protects England’s reputation in Europe, it is no longer only the major European clubs that the big four in England are having trouble to deal with.

Foreign investment is improving the football standard of the league, but ultimately it is pushing England football to death. Liverpool owner hoped to compile a Great Britain team, only giving Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll a season to forget. Micah Richards and Adam Johnson put up sweet performances throughout the season, but neither of them broke into the regular lineup (even though Mancini still moans about the lack of squad depth). Sadly, the younger generation could only live under the shadows of foreign players brought on board by sky-high salaries.

Premier League star performers may come back and haunt English players

While English football fans continue to celebrate their league being perhaps the best in the world, how many would have realised the truth behind that it’s actually the foreign players that have driven them to such a status? Without a reform, disappointment is inevitable, let it be Ukraine this summer or Rio de Janeiro two years later.