For Raheem Sterling to prove critics wrong

It has become a tradition in England for the press to do everything it can to tear the national team down in the lead up to major tournament. This year Britain’s tabloid newspapers have almost been making a game of who can come up with the most ridiculous story to slander Raheem Sterling. There have been back-page splashed headlines criticizing him for all sorts of mundane things. The most recent fury was over a tattoo.

After England’s dreadful showing at Euro 2016 Sterling was singled out for his lackluster performance, and if England crash out again the press are already sizing him up to be the scapegoat again. Since the Summer of 2016, however, Sterling has had two full seasons under the manager-ship of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and his improvement has been remarkable with 18 goals and 11 assists this past season.

In 2010, Spain won the World Cup with several Barcelona players who had just won La Liga under Guardiola, and in 2014 Germany won the World Cup with several Bayern players who had just won the Bundesliga under Guardiola. Unfortunately of Pep’s record-breaking Man City team England only feature John Stones, Kyle Walker and Sterling as regulars. But the trio will be brimming with confidence after such a dominant season in the Premier League, and the stage is set for Sterling to light up in Russia and prove the English press wrong.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDqCGen831k

For this England team to show a genuine commitment and team spirit

In Simon Kuper’s book “Soccer Men” he describes an England dressing room ahead of a friendly 2000. Captain Alan Shearer and veteran Tony Adams are standing in the middle of the dressing room. Shearer is screaming at his teammates, while Adams walks up to each player to ask, “Are you f**king ready for this?” Steven Gerrard remembers being so hyped “he couldn’t tie his laces.” The scene is a snap-shot of the England team of the 90’s, a period of heroic failure and passion. Both Shearer and Adams would retire from international football later that year, ushering in the dawn of the ‘Golden Generation’ the era of Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Scholes and David Beckham.

But the Golden Generation were a flop. In a recent BT Sports interview Lampard, Gerrard and Ferdinand discussed how disconnected that team was. Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and United players would all sit at different tables to eat. There was a distinct lack of spirit.

It is in stark contrast to the true Golden Generation of that era, the Spanish. In Spain players like Xavi, Casillas, Puyols and even Sergio Ramos, put aside their differences at club level to come together on the international stage.

As individuals this England team may not be as talented as the team from the 2000’s, but if they can forge a spirit like the England team of the 90’s and the recent Spanish team, they have every chance of doing well in Russia.

Variety Up -Front

England have a shortage in midfield, and there defense isn’t particularly intimidating. But up front England have options. If utilized, they could help England go deep into the tournament. Harry Kane is one of the world’s elite strikers. He is a versatile striker, happy to drop deep and use the ball creatively. Marcus Rashford and Sterling should be hoping to use their pace to exploit space Kane creates with intelligent movement. I also hope we see Jamie Vardy used significantly, particularly if we go up against top teams in later rounds. For Leicester Vardy’s record against Top 6 teams is incredible, because he loves playing against sides that press high (as top sides tend to do in the modern age). If we do come against a top side Vardy could be key.

 

The big fear: That there will be a lack of creativity

Manager Gareth Southgate has seemed to have made a point of picking players to fit his system, as opposed to England managers of the past who typically picked on form. There have been encouraging signs in recent friendlies. The one possible fear I have is the lack of creativity in the middle. England have players that can be explosive, but we lack a creative player in the middle who create a chance from nothing. Our opening two games are against Panama and Tunisia. Both of these teams are likely to defend deep and make it as hard as possible for England to unlock their defense. England need to pick up points in these games, and the lack of creativity is a cause for concern. If we struggle in those two games and need to go and beat Belgium in the final group game it could be a short stay in Russia for this team.