After the England squad was announced most of the attention focused rights and wrongs of calling up the talented but troubled Andy Carroll.
This meant the merits of Jordan Henderson's call-up to the squad were largely ignored. This is probably because Henderson is one of the genuinely decent guys in English football and one who does all his talking on the pitch for Sunderland, avoiding the off field issues that make the back pages.
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce believes him to be the brightest young prospect in English football right now, and that includes the much hyped Jack Wilshere. Clearly Fabio Capello will be hoping that making the step up to the senior international team doesn't intimidate the man who helped his team upset the football odds and thrash Chelsea in stunning style at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Henderson said that although he'll "give players respect" on the international scene, he wants to "go out and prove to people" what he's capable of. With the England manager keen to blood new talent before the Euro 2012 qualifiers start up again, now could be the perfect time for the player to steal the limelight and fulfil his potential in front of the millions of observing England fans.
Sunderland fans will be hoping that if this does happen, Henderson doesn't end up leaving the club in the near future, as many fear he will. With Manchester City said to be interested in the player, and many players arriving at Eastlands finding themselves eventually surplus to requirement and earning a salary as a bench-warmer, fans of both Sunderland and the future of English football as a whole will be hoping that the 20-year-old midfielder's head isn't turned over the next few months.
Meanwhile, the Leicester betting tips suggest the side's season is back on track.
They had been sitting near the bottom of the table, but a recent run of four games unbeaten has seen them head in the right direction.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Arsenal hold the key to England's future
Arsene Wenger has been highly criticised over the years for developing overseas players, potentially at the expense of English youth. Despite being remarkably astute with his purchases in the transfer market - buying Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera and Cesc Fabregas - he has both brought through a staggeringly high number of foreign players in comparison to those eligible for England's national side.
But it's not as though his cast-offs, who include Mathew Upson, Richard Wright, Steve Sidwell and David Bentley, have been lost to football. They were overlooked, yes, but then sold on to other clubs where they have been given their chance, and in the vast majority, made at least a slight impact at international level.
However, over the last few years, Wenger has started insisting that his club is now producing plenty of English talent through their academy and now we find ourselves in the position where Wenger's Arsenal look as though they may well be grooming this country's next golden generation in the shape of Jack Wilshere and Kieron Gibbs. The Arsenal betting suggests the pair can help push their club to glory, and they can do the same for England.
Gibbs is just 20 but has already made an appearance in a Champions League semi final. He looks calm under pressure and shows a level of maturity not seen since the emergence of his role model and former Arsenal player Ashley Cole. Cole has gone on to represent his country 85 times, if Gibbs manages even half that total then we owe Wenger at least a nod of appreciation. Meanwhile, Jack Wilshere's development at Arsenal has been incredible, taking even Wenger by surprise. His close ball-control and rasping left-foot have drawn comparisons with former Arsenal legend Liam Brady.
In short, when the current crop of England stars call time on their international careers, it will be a relief to know that players of such ability are waiting in the wings, and if they've been given the Wenger seal of approval, that's one heck of an endorsement.
Meanwhile, the Sunderland betting suggest the club could get one over on Arsenal's North London neighbours Spurs tonight.
But it's not as though his cast-offs, who include Mathew Upson, Richard Wright, Steve Sidwell and David Bentley, have been lost to football. They were overlooked, yes, but then sold on to other clubs where they have been given their chance, and in the vast majority, made at least a slight impact at international level.
However, over the last few years, Wenger has started insisting that his club is now producing plenty of English talent through their academy and now we find ourselves in the position where Wenger's Arsenal look as though they may well be grooming this country's next golden generation in the shape of Jack Wilshere and Kieron Gibbs. The Arsenal betting suggests the pair can help push their club to glory, and they can do the same for England.
Gibbs is just 20 but has already made an appearance in a Champions League semi final. He looks calm under pressure and shows a level of maturity not seen since the emergence of his role model and former Arsenal player Ashley Cole. Cole has gone on to represent his country 85 times, if Gibbs manages even half that total then we owe Wenger at least a nod of appreciation. Meanwhile, Jack Wilshere's development at Arsenal has been incredible, taking even Wenger by surprise. His close ball-control and rasping left-foot have drawn comparisons with former Arsenal legend Liam Brady.
In short, when the current crop of England stars call time on their international careers, it will be a relief to know that players of such ability are waiting in the wings, and if they've been given the Wenger seal of approval, that's one heck of an endorsement.
Meanwhile, the Sunderland betting suggest the club could get one over on Arsenal's North London neighbours Spurs tonight.
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