What is all the fuss about Wayne Bridge?!

I just don't get it? Okay he has had a shocking time in his personal life, but it feels like the media are trying to make him feel better about everything by stating that it is leaving England's World Cup plans in ruin. Bridge always has, and always will be, a very average player - a solid one but still very average. Looking at the current state of play I am delighted that he has come out and confirmed he does not want to be part of party down in Bafokeng. That gives chance for Capello to look at players who can offer a bit more in that position.

It is a given that Ashley Cole is the best Left Back in England - he is in with a great shout of being the best in the World - and he rightly has the #3 shirt. However, given his ankle injury it will now be really interesting to see who Capello picks for next weeks match against Egypt and to go as Cole's understudy in the Summer (assuming Ashley makes the plane).

If I had to pick the team today I would look no further than Everton's Leighton Baines. He has been tremendous all season and seems to be getting better and better. He has pace and a great left peg giving England great delivery for the new Les Ferdinand (Wayne Rooney's new found heading ability) and an option for free-kicks on the right of the penalty box, and given it is a World Cup, he can also take a good penalty. However, what I like most about him is his defensive qualities and I can't remember any game this season when he has been seriously caught out by anyone. I would have him start next week.

However, I also think that Stephen Warnock will get a chance. Capello has had a couple of looks at him and think it is between these two and unfortunately Lescott. 

I hope Baines gets 90 minutes at Wembley to show his potential and then maybe the media can leave Wayne Bridge alone and start worrying about Glen Johnson again and talking about Baines as the perfect option to replace Ashley Cole - and of England's new Number 10, Bobby Zamora.

We shall see on Wednesday.

 

 

 

Posted via web from The Beautiful Game

Pele for this Generation

 

 

I have been lucky enough to see great players playing football. I have seen Cantona, Gazza, Zidane, Ronaldinho, Messi, Henry, Beckham, Rooney but I have never felt that I have seen a true legend walk onto the park. You hear stories of fans that saw Maradona at Napoli or Pele for A Seleção - even if just on the TV.

Looking ahead to 2010 there seems to be potential for a name to be added to the level of Maradona or Pele. We have to be talking about someone who is able to take the game to another level where he alone can play. I think that the original Ronaldo was a fantastic player and had he not had the bad luck of injuries and the bizarre end to FIFA '98 then he could be the one that is the player who of my generation is the one. For me Japan / South Korea in 2002 was a poor World Cup in terms of standard.

However, for me it is his namesake Cristiano who has the potential to tear up the future of the game. CR9 is in my eyes the most modern footballer on the planet - he has the power and the athleticism to match his ball skills and footwork. Okay he is arrogant as hell but I doubt if there is anyone who does not have that as a characteristic for either Pele or Maradona. People love to see him play and I doubt if anybody would name a World XI and not have Cristiano Ronaldo in the team.

If football clubs were able to genetically modify their youth teams then I think Cristiano Ronaldo would be the template.

Obviously World Cups are the greatest stage, and the one that made the names of Maradona and Pele into legends - both good and bad - but absolute legends none the less. To date CR9 has not quite delivered on the International stage at a major tournament. He came close in UEFA EURO 2004 and 2008, and again in Germany 2006, but his form over the past two years for Manchester United and now for Real Madrid have seen him move his game to a whole new level.

To watch La Liga now it sometimes looks as though Cristiano Ronaldo is the big kid in the playground - the one that the defenders can't cope with and look scared of. He is able to win games on his own. If he can stay fit and focused he will be a real threat in South Africa and I think the fact that he and Portugal have been drawn in the 'Group of Death' will only help him step up and lift his team. In qualification he was subdued - he did not even score - but I am sure the fanfare of the FIFA World Cup  and playing Brazil and Ivory Coast in the Group Stages will bring the best out of him and maybe in July I wont be the only one listing Cristiano Ronaldo alongside Pele and Maradona.

Then it is just a matter of getting out to Madrid to watch a game.

 

 

 

 

Posted via web from The Beautiful Game