THE RIGHT WINGER SERIES PT8: CONCLUSION
So we have taken 7 weeks to get to this point: Who is England’s best Right Winger? After profiling 5 men; Beckham, Walcott, Bentley, Lennon, Wright-Phillips and Milner what conclusion have we come to?
England currently have some pretty good options in the midfield. Gerrard, Lampard, Carrick, Barry etc. Owen Hargreaves is returning to full fitness…
Capello seems to have settled on Lampard and Barry as his first choice partnership in the middle – although a fit Hargreaves could change that. This means that Gerrard has been used in a fluid left wing position. He drifts in and out and links up play. Therefore the only place left to debate really is the right wing.
Joe Cole and Ashley Young would be my back-up left wingers, so that means we only have 2 or 3 places left in the squad.
In a squad you want a couple of options. With that in mind I would pick Lennon, Walcott and Beckham.
Lennon should be England’s first choice winger. He is an out and out winger. He’s fast, tricky, a good crosser and possesses decent goal scoring ability. He can create space and goal scoring opportunities and that’s what being a winger is all about.
Beckham still has one of the best right foots in the game. His leadership and calm, mature head is a valuable asset to the team. And if plan A isn’t working, throw on Beckham and Crouch and I can guarantee you a goal.
Walcott is a good winger. He is lightening fast and has a good eye for a gap. He can also double-up as a striker.
A midfield with Gerrard, Lampard and Lennon sounds very dangerous. And looking across to the bench and seeing J.Cole, Young, Beckham and Walcott instills belief that England could just have the squad to challenge for top honors.
Read ‘Part 1-7′ here:
THE RIGHT WINGER PT4 – WALCOTT
Possibly the fastest winger in the premiership, Theo went from zero to “who the hell is that?” to “this boy’s got talent” to “saviour of England” to “needs to mature – but great potential!”.
My personal opinion is that he should be a striker. In a brilliant display, Walcott scored a hat trick against Croatia last September all three of which, I feel where more classic ‘striker’ goals than ‘winger’ goals.
However with his improved crossing ability and desire to run at defenders – and easily past them – this boy is a real threat out wide.
Where he ends up on the pitch for England long term remains to be seen.
Fast, attacking, full of tricks and confident – that’s what you want in a winger and Theo seems to be everyone’s first choice.
I say even if he isn’t your first choice – take him. You get a decent winger and an extra option up front for free.
Read ‘Part 1,2&3′ here: