As the final whistle in Bloemfontein signalled the end of England‘s dismal World Cup campaign, the nature of their departure from South Africa became hot topic for journalists and the public alike.
Nerves, tiredness and performance were just a handful of excuses as to why Fabio Capello and his squad failed to deliver but the lack of any young prodigies in the English game gained extra attention.
The seemingly desperate attempts to lure Paul Scholes out of international retirement added fuel to the fire on those claims but, even though Scholes continues to show what the Three Lions are missing, there shouldn’t be cause for concern at the shortage of young English talent. None more so than in the wide areas.
In last Fridays win over Bulgaria, England used four out of their five selected wingers, players who could all feature in at least the next two international tournaments.
Theo Walcott, Adam Johnson, James Milner and Ashley Young, aged between 21 and 25, all have the quality to be integral parts of a new England side for many years to come while all four have differing qualities that make them a nightmare for full backs.
Walcott possesses pace only Usain Bolt fails to be envious of, Milner fuses work ethic with an exceptional ability to place a ball into exactly the right area, Young is equally adaptable on either flank with a talent from set-pieces second to none while Johnson combines all above qualities with trickery of feet despised by opposition defenders.
Position for places on the wings up to and including the next World Cup seem to be firmly in place but beyond the showpiece in Brazil there a positive signs for The FA and co. With promising showings from the likes of Danny Rose and Marc Albrighton at Tottenham and Aston Villa respectively, continuing from the back end of last season, there is certainly talent out there.
Even further down the scale there is evidence of a promising future ahead as England’s Under 17’s returned home from Liechtenstein this summer as European Champions. Even beyond that age bracket there is promising talent coming through and in the shape of Liverpool’s 15 year old winger Raheem Sterling, there is a real exciting talent emerging. Already gifted with pace, Brazilian like skill and the ability to cross a ball, Sterling is one to be watched.
Many may still be suffering from post World Cup depression but there remains hope for the future, especially in the wingers department, and reports to the contrary are certainly wide of the mark.
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