We’ve done it! England have now officially qualified for the World Cup finals next summer. There were bound to be a few nerves wracked and a few nails bitten but if there’s one thing that England tend to do well it’s qualify, and a fairly routine night at Wembley on Tuesday was capped nicely by Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard goals.
So, with a qualifying group that didn’t pose too many potential banana skins surpassed we can now look forwards with the same mix of expectancy and dread that we always do. And that’s maybe the worst thing about being an England fan. If it was 100% doom and gloom then it would be much easier to take the disappointment that follows. But there are always a few bright sparks that manage to keep us engaged. And here they are...
Andros Townsend
It was only two games, but what a two games it was! Spurs’ young winger Andros Townsend made a huge impact in the crucial qualifiers. The quality to influence big games in an England shirt is one that cannot be overlooked. If Townsend continues to hold down a starting birth with his club over the likes of Erik Lamela and Aaron Lennon then it can definitely be argued that he has a lot to offer the squad in Brazil.
Left Back
England only have a very limited number of world class players to call on and it appears that unfortunately two will be fighting it out for one position. But I suppose that that’s not a bad problem to have. Leighton Baines has truly become one of the world’s best left-backs and offers a lot at both ends of the pitch. But, even during the most dire of World Cups, Ashley Cole has been England’s one consistent performer. The two have the rest of the season with their clubs to really stake their claim for England’s number 3 shirt.
Joe Hart
Another of England’s world class players should be goalkeeper Joe Hart. A hugely publicised loss of form has seen him come in for much criticism but his undoubted ability and a lack of a suitable replacement should make him a key player in Brazil.
One day Jack Butland should be able to provide adequate competition but that day has not come yet. Hart will need to put in the work necessary to recapture his best form, making sure he is known as a great goalkeeper rather than a goalkeeper who is simply ‘great on his day’. England will need him to be at his best.
Daniel Sturridge
No one has quite lit up the best league in the world this season like Daniel Sturridge. To get Liverpool to a point where star striker Luis Suárez wasn’t missed was a terrific achievement and Sturridge was a huge part of that.
Finally given a chance to play through the middle as he has always wanted, Sturridge has flourished in a way that he didn’t quite manage at Chelsea or Man City. The two most recent internationals haven’t been his best but if Sturridge can forge a partnership with Wayne Rooney and replicate his club form for England then he could be our most important player. But of course, how long have we been waiting for someone to replicate their club form for England?
The Fringe Players
One thing that England absolutely need is for their best players to be playing. Joleon Lescott being on the fringes at Man City is not good for the national team, neither is Jermain Defoe struggling to get on the pitch at Spurs or Danny Welbeck having to compete with Rooney, van Persie and Hernández at United.
England need players to be playing for their clubs if they are to go to the World Cup at the top of their game. It must be extremely frustrating for Roy Hodgson to go to (for example) a Man City vs Spurs game only to find the likes of Lescott, James Milner, Micah Richards, Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon and Danny Rose not involved. While other players like Gareth Barry, Scott Sinclair, Tom Huddlestone and Scott Parker are being shipped out of these top clubs.
England need players to be playing at as high a level as possible. I can assure you that the Spanish, Italians or Germans will not have squads made up of players who aren’t good enough for their clubs.
There are many positives for England and their fans to take to Brazil next summer, as is always the case. However we’ve learnt time and time again not to read too much into the numerous false dawns that come along.
Actually, you know what? Forget that. Sturridge? Baines? Hart? Townsend? We’re going to win the World Cup!!!!!