Can England replicate this success?
Every four years an English fan will say ‘This is our year, we will win the World Cup.’Over recent years it seems to me as though we just say that to bring moral hope not because we actually have a passion to win. Look back to 2002. England struggled to qualify for the World Cup. It took the passion of the entire team, mainly David Beckham, to overcome Greece to get to the World Cup. That is the passion England lack.
Let’s be honest. The only player that shows passion for our country is Steven Gerrard. He is a well deserving England captain.
However, this year I believe that England actually do have more of a chance. Do I think that we can win our 2nd World Cup this year? No is my answer. No for a few reasons.
We do not have that one player who can change a game. We have a team full of good players. There is no stand out great, amazing, Ballon d’Or player. Our team is better than Portugal’s and possibly Argentina’s but they have Ronaldo and Messi. Holland have Robben. France have Ribery and this list can go on. Whereas we have Rooney… or Gerrard…
Both are undoubtedly the best English players in recent years but neither of them are Ballon d’Or quality.
Where do I think England could reach? If I’m optimistic I would say the semi-finals. If I’m realistic I would say quarter-finals if we are lucky because as of late, even that is a difficult task.. Then again football at times is about luck, but most of the time it’s about pure skill to beat the opponent. However the World Cup does bring out the best of players and maybe it is an English player’s turn to shine in front of the world. Maybe Joe Hart can replicate Gordon Banks and not Rob Green. Maybe Daniel Sturridge can replicate Sir Geoff Hurst and not Tim Flowers. Don’t know who Tim Flowers was? You probably wouldn’t. He played 11 times and scored 0 goals for England, yet he was picked to go to France ’98…
So why do I say the semi-finals? Well we have a good core of young players such as Henderson, Sterling and Wilshere. Then we also have the key experience in the likes of Gerrard, Lampard and Jagielka. Also, unless I’ve missed something I haven’t heard a lot of ‘Oh yeah, this is our year’ and all of that nonsense. I think this year we are renowned underdogs. Being the underdogs as Atletico Madrid experienced means that you can surprise people. No-one expects much from you so you have nothing to lose. Go there, give it your best shot possible and maybe bring home the FIFA World Cup itself.
I don’t see why we can’t go there and win. Look at our team!
Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster, Ben Foster, Joe Hart
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling
Midfielders: Ross Barkley, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Raheem Sterling, Jack Wilshere
Forwards: Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck.
The majority of players either play for the same team or have grown up through the youth ranks together. This shows the unique bond between all of our players. Out of every team in the world, our national team only contains 9 teams. 8 top teams from England and the best team in Scotland. Our main attackers all play for the same club. The chemistry between the players is immense. Hopefully it sparks them to do well in the tournament that starts in a mere 14 days.
So once again I’ll reiterate my thoughts. England can easily reach the quarter-finals if they put their mind to it and maybe with a bit of luck reach the semis. I think the final is just out of our reach but I’m excited for this years World Cup. Anything can happen.
They look ready. Let’s “Rock an’ Roll” COME ON ENGLAND
This year is our year…
COME ON ENGLAND!
ENG-GER-LAND, ENG-GER-LAND, ENG-GER-LAND…….
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