© Michael Radtke, Flickr
The England national team travel to Montenegro this week for a crucial qualifying match on Friday night. A win or draw in Podgorica would ensure progression to the Euro 2012 finals next summer, while a loss would leave England's qualification hopes out of their own hands and resting in the balance of a play-off match. England's opponents will prove a much more difficult challenge than many are anticipating, given that Montenegro have conceded just three goals in six qualifiers. However, England are expected to advance to the finals next year – but what is everyone expecting with the current setup?
Even the most patriotic fan will tell you that England have fallen way below expectation in recent tournaments, dating back to a semi-final appearance at Euro 1996. Current FIFA world rankings rate England as the eighth best team in the world (which arguably flatters Fabio Capello's side) – but at times they seem so far behind their European counterparts – Spain, Netherlands and Germany to name a few - who are ranked higher, and for good reason. England have also struggled against Croatia and Russia in recent times, not to mention supposed 'unknowns' like their Eastern European opponents this weekend.
Critics argue that England have been reliant on the same players for too long – without success. John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole, who have all enjoyed lengthy international careers, have been the core of the side for many years. But time catches up - now all five are over the age of 30 – so should Capello look to the future sooner rather than later? Some of those players may soon not be considered for another major tournament – be it next year's finals, or those in 2014. Germany are a side who have proven that such a method works, with coach Joachim Loew opting for future starlets at the time Thomas Mueller and Mesut Ozil ahead of more experienced players at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa – a choice which resulted in Germany reaching the semi-finals of the tournament, Mueller winning the Golden Boot and Ozil transferring to Spanish giants Real Madrid in the summer.
Should England consider a similar approach for Euro 2012? Here are some of the players who could feature in that squad – and in future tournaments to come.
Defenders
Chris Smalling (Manchester United), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Kyle Naughton, (Norwich City), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea)
First off, Joe Hart appears likely to hold the number one goalkeeper's spot for some time. But some England's centre backs are ageing. Capello has already handed international debuts to Chris Smalling and Kieran Gibbs, but might consider Phil Jones as an option after forging a successful partnership with Smalling at Manchester United. Jones has also been impressive at England U-21 level, which boosts his chances of featuring next summer – should he receive sufficient playing time under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Kyle Walker enjoyed a successful loan spell at Aston Villa last season before rejoining parent club Tottenham Hotspur this year. An excellent performance against Arsenal at the weekend was enough for Capello to call Walker to the squad to face Montenegro, but such a decision could be reactionary in spite of his talent. Micah Richards is likely to feature next summer as backup for Glen Johnson, but Walker should provide healthy competition – especially if he enjoys a good domestic season. Kyle Naughton has impressed at newly-promoted Norwich City after a summer move from Tottenham (last season he stood out at Championship side Leicester City, scoring five goals), so Capello has several options at right-back.
The left-back position – dominated by Ashley Cole in recent years – is more susceptible. There are fewer up-and-comers in this spot. Kieran Gibbs has a chance to impress in the wake of Bacary Sagna's injury last weekend, which sees the Frenchman sidelined for around three months. If Gibbs can help to steady a leaky Arsenal defence, it will bolster his chances of a call-up next year. Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand has also played for England since the age of 16, but will need to be given the chance to impress there ahead of Cole before an inclusion into the national team.
Kieran Gibbs (right) has the chance to shine for Arsenal ahead of England's Euro 2012 campaign
Midfielders
Jack Wilshire (Arsenal), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Scott Sinclair (Swansea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Henri Lansbury (West Ham United – on loan from Arsenal), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa), Josh McEachran (Chelsea), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal)
England's midfield has arguably overcome its biggest problem already. The seemingly inevitable selection of both Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard has proven time and time again to be an ineffective partnership, in spite of former individual success. But with Lampard now aged 33 and Gerrard having faced a lengthy spell on the sideline due to injury, this could pave the way for future midfielders to break through.
Jack Wilshire already faces enormous pressure regarding both his domestic and international future. At the age of 19, he has already been tipped for greatness and is likely to be a pivotal figure in the England setup for years to come. There is no doubt that he could play an important holding role from which Fabio Capello forms his midfield, but for this to work he would need the right balance around him. Everton's Jack Rodwell also has a chance to impress and step up from U21 level during Wilshire's period of injury, which will see the teenager out of action until early next year.
Tom Cleverley has been a revelation at Manchester United this year after impressive loan spells at Leicester City, Watford and Wigan Athletic in recent seasons. Only injury has kept him out of Sir Alex's plans lately after a fantastic start to the Premier League with the Red Devils, and should be a part of the England team in years to come.
Tom Cleverley has already been backed by manager Sir Alex Ferguson to play for England
Since transferring from Chelsea in 2010, Scott Sinclair has been outstanding for Swansea – scoring 22 times in the league and helping the Swans gain promotion to the top flight this year. However, although Sinclair is a playmaker, he is predominantly a winger which may see his chances of an England call-up reduced ahead of the likes of Stewart Downing and Ashley Young. Nevertheless, Capello may want to see more of him this season.
Jordan Henderson has already played for England but will need to establish a first-team spot at Liverpool in order to secure a regular spot at international level. The likes of Henri Lansbury, Marc Albrighton, Josh McEachran and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all in a similar position, but are capable of rising through the ranks at their respective clubs in order to catch the eye of Fabio Capello. There are definitely enough young midfielders capable of excelling for England if given the opportunity.
Forwards
Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea)
Like the goalkeeping situation, England's availability of strikers is not a huge concern; however, a drop in form or an injury could open up a spot in the starting XI for a young talent.
Andy Carroll had a fantastic start to Premier League life with Newcastle before joining Liverpool in January 2011 for £35 million – a price tag many argue that he will never be able to fulfil. However, Carroll has already impressed Fabio Capello enough to be handed his England debut, and scored in a 1-1 friendly with Ghana. He should feature in next year's squad, but whether he will be a starter rather than an impact player is uncertain.
Andy Carroll has made three appearances for England so far
Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge have had a similar last couple of years. Both enjoyed successful loan spells at other Premier League sides last season (Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers respectively) before returning to their parent clubs, impressing their managers enough to feature regularly in important fixtures. Bearing in mind that said clubs are Manchester United and Chelsea, this should not be underestimated. Both Welbeck and Sturridge were also regular goal scorers at U21 level for England, boosting their chances of a call-up next year.
Barring any major injury or huge drop in form this season, Wayne Rooney is the only dead certainty for England at Euro 2012 – in terms of strikers. The likes of Darren Bent, Jermaine Defoe and Peter Crouch have often been overlooked in the past by Capello, regardless of form. If Welbeck can establish a strong partnership with Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford this season, a call-up is likely. Daniel Sturridge is in a slightly more difficult position due to extra competition at Chelsea, as well as a lack of stability in terms of the line-up. But both possess the ability to succeed for England and should be given an opportunity to impress.
So can England's new Lions succeed where former sides have failed? Whether Fabio Capello will choose to adopt such an approach is uncertain. Whether it would work is unclear. But an inclusion of youth in the Euro 2012 could be just what is needed to help England reach its potential, as well as to meet national expectations. Capello, the media, and fans have all seen what the golden era of players are capable of. Maybe now is the time to see what the future holds.
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