FIFA’s ‘World Ranking’ system has become something of a joke in
England over the last few years. During 2013, the nation that have failed to
beat Ukraine on both home and away soil, were matched by Montenegro and
struggled against Scotland – have sat as high as fourth in the rankings. Since
it’s creation, England’s average position has been 10th – a slightly
more plausible analysis. The latest rankings, on the back of some highly criticised
England performances, perhaps offer the system greater credibility. England
currently sit 17th – between Chile and Bosnia-Herzegovina – and
below the likes of Switzerland and Greece. Whilst some may feel dissatisfied
with the sudden drop of our national football side in the eyes of FIFA, the
future hasn’t exactly looked all-so positive judging by recent showings at
under-21 level.
The past two Under-21 European Championships have left a lingering
sense of concern at the state of English football. Failing to get through the
group stages on both occasions, the FA (and particularly Greg Dyke) have spoken
of the need to take action, to prevent further downfall in England’s standing
amongst the world’s footbaling nations.
With zero points and one solitary goal to show for a disastrous
Championships this summer, the future of international football is looking
increasingly bleak for England. That one goal at the championships – coming in
a 3-1 loss to Norway – came through a penalty that was converted by a defender.
No goals from open play; no goals from attacking players. By no means did this
come as a surprise to me, though, for when you look at the forwards named by
Stuart Pearce in the 23-man squad, the ‘striker crisis’ facing our national
side was more apparent than ever.
Three forwards – that was all Pearce had at his disposal for the
championships in Israel. One of which, Wilfried Zaha, had been playing on the
wing for his Championship side Crystal Palace, leaving only two true strikers
to lead the English line. Connor Wickham was to only make twelve league
appearances that season for Sunderland, during a season in which he was farmed
out to Sheffield Wednesday for a short-term loan – deemed surplus to
requirements at his parent club. 1 goal in 6 appearances for Wednesday, and one
FA Cup strike for Sunderland, were all that Wickham had to show for himself prior
to the tournament. The final of the three, Marvin Sordell, managed only four
goals in the Championship after his recently relegated Bolton side failed to
make the play-offs. Compare that to the trio of Agbonlahor, Frazier Campbell
and Danny Welbeck – named in the 2009 squad that made the final – as well as
Theo Walcott, who was named by Stuart Pearce as the fourth striker in the
squad.
Following the Israel debacle, however, we now see a new set of
strikers aiming to make the international break-through for England. New
under-21 coach Gareth Southgate has selected three forwards worth noting – either
gaining Premier League experience, or showing goalscoring ability in the second
level of the football pyramid. So who do we have coming through to give us hope
of a ‘start of the end’ regarding the growing ‘striker crisis’ of English
football?
Saido
Berahino
The 20-year old West Brom striker came from nowhere this season to
fire the winning goal as the Baggies saw off Manchester United at Old Trafford.
It was his first League goal for West Brom, after showcasing his goalscoring
exploits whilst on various short-term loans across the football league.
6 goals in 14 League Two games for Northampton Town was followed
the same season by a ratio of 1 in every 2 at Brentford, one league higher. The
Championship proved more difficult for Saido, as he only returned 2 goals in a
10-game Peterborough spell – but has nonetheless grown markedly from the
experience, turning out a string of impressive performances for both West Brom
and internationally at Under-21 level.
Gareth Southgate’s first game in charge of the England under-21’s
was also Berahino’s debut at such a level. They weren’t to be the only firsts
of the game, though, as Berahino’s debut goal secured a 1-0 win for Southgate’s
youngsters. His second appearance for Southgate was yet again marked with a
goal, when Zaha (playing, rightfully, on the wing) found the West Brom forward
in space to make it two in two for Saido.
Berahino’s ability in front of goal was for all to see in the
Capital One Cup at the beginning of this term, as all four of The Albion’s
goals in the competition came through the Burundi-born striker, before they
were cruelly knocked out on penalties by Arsenal. A hat-trick against Newport
County delighted boss Steve Clarke, who has promptly put his faith in his ‘born
goalscorer’ in Premier League outings.
Danny Ings
This years surprise package in the Championship, Burnley have
found themselves sitting pretty at the top of the table – much of which is down
to an impressive goals tally between striking duo Sam Vokes, and 21-year-old
Danny Ings. Danny’s performances for the clarets have merited inclusion in
Southgate’s latest under-21 squad – much to the delight of Burnley Boss Sean
Dyche.
Eyebrows were raised when then-Burnley boss Eddie Howe bought his
Academy product Ings from Bournemouth for £1 million, despite only 7 goals in
26 appearances at League One level. His Burnley career got off to a terrible
start, as within one week of the move, Ings found himself on the treatment
table – ruled out for five months and requiring surgery on his knee. 3 goals
was all Ings could muster in the 2012-2013 Championship campaign, and so little
was it expected that his impact the following season would drive Burnley
towards a title challenge.
Cut to the present, and 11 goals in an impressive 14 games so far
has caught the eye of Southgate – convincing the ex-England international that
Ings deserves a chance of his own on the international stage. The under-21s
face San Marino and Lithuania this week, and it will be worth keeping an eye on
Ings, should he get a chance to show what he can do.
If Ings can stay injury-free, putting the knee problems that have
blighted his progression during the first few years of his Burnley career
behind him, it’s not unthinkable that the striker could find himself a Premier
League forward within the next few years. From there, we shall have to wait and
see…
Nick Powell
The latest name in a growing list of youngsters developed by Crewe
and sent on their way to the Premier League, Nick Powell was a revelation at
Gresty Road before his move to Manchester United. Playing mostly as an
attacking midfielder, Powell bagged 14 goals in 38 League Two appearances,
during which he won Crewe’s Goal of the Season, Player of the season, and Young
Player of the Season all in the same year. He ended the season with a scorching
volley at Wembley to send the Railwaymen into League One.
Sir Alex had seen enough, promptly arranging a private jet to
bring Nick and his father to the South of France to discuss terms to sign for
United. Arsenal and Fulham let their interest be known too, but Dario Gradi
spoke of Manchester United’s professionalism throughout the negotiations in
comparison to the approach of others – resulting in United sealing a deal for around
6 million pounds to bring the highly rated attacking player to Old Trafford.
Within 11 minutes of his Premier League debut, Powell had scored his first
United goal in a 4-0 battering of Wigan.
Four years later, following Wigan’s relegation, Powell was brought
in on a season-long loan deal by manager Owen Coyle. Coyle has history
developing promising young players struggling to get games at their parent club
from his time at Bolton – having brought future England internationals Jack
Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge to the Reebok Stadium. Both were inspirational
for their loan club at the time, returning to their individual clubs as proven
Premier League footballers. We all know how those two have turned out since…
With a keen eye for goal, Powell has been regularly deployed as a
striker this season for Wigan. Scoring two goals in Wigan Athletic’s first
European appearance against MK Maribor.
Powell is no stranger to international football. The man Coyle
believes has the quality to follow Sturridge and Wilshere into the England
set-up has represented his country at every level from under-16, to under-21. A
strong season at promotion-hopefuls Wigan – Powell could return to United with
a higher level of maturity and greater experience than he would have got
staying-put for the season at United. Whether he returns an attacking
midfielder, or a forward, is yet to see.
