Players from Newcastle United, Swansea City, and Norwich City, feature on our list, if they were playing for Manchester United, they would be automatic picks.
There is no disputing the quality of youngsters like Tom Cleverley, but he only has to have two or three good games in a United shirt and he is being talked up as an England star. He may well be. Yet players who have toiled all season long for their clubs, often in more difficult circumstances are snubbed when it comes to international call-ups. Should these five be given opportunities?
Leon Britton
Britton is the first of three Swansea players to feature on our list, which says everything about how much the club have achieved since their promotion. Britton has been the heartbeat of Swansea’s midfield, and has a pass completion percentage to compare with the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. He may be 29, but Scott Parker was recalled for England at 30, so why not? At the least he should be brought up into the squad so management can see first hand just what he can do.
Scott Sinclair
Former Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair is the second Swansea man who should be involved for England. When you look at Stewart Downing’s presence in the squad (0 goals, 0 assists in the league) and compare it to Sinclair’s contribution (seven goals, two assists), there is no case to answer. If Downing played for Swansea would he get a look in? No. If Sinclair was at Liverpool would he be in the squad? Yes. No wonder the smaller clubs get frustrated when bigger clubs come after their players, when their own FA doesn’t even help them out.
Nathan Dyer
24-year-old Dyer has never been capped by England at any level. By the same logic which would demand Sinclair be given a chance, Dyer’s performances have played a huge part in Swansea’ success. He has scored three goals and made two assists for Swansea this season, and has been a bag of energy and tricks in midfield. The chances of him being called up anytime remain slim, but for now he should just continue concentrating on doing what he is doing, and recognition may eventually come his way.
Grant Holt
Is Holt just the flavour of the month, or is he a legitimate option for England. With Andy Carroll also omitted, there is no ‘big man’ in the England squad, and the Norwich striker certainly fits the bill. Holt has scored 10 goals this season, including strikes against Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea, so he has proved already he can do it against the big teams. Euro 2012 may come too soon for Holt, but if he can keep up his goalscoring over the next 12 months, the next England manager will surely see he is no flash in the pan, and he will be difficult to ignore.
Ryan Taylor
Liverpool born Taylor has been one of Newcastle United’s outstanding players this season. The full-back can play on either the right or left, and can also play in midfield, making him a valuable commodity for international tournaments. But he has been ignored totally. Teammate Danny Simpson tweeted after Capello’s resignation that he hopes the next England boss will actually go to watch games at St James’, and he has a point. Taylor is deadly from set pieces and should be considered in the future for a cap.
images: © Ronnie Macdonald, © Ronnie Macdonald
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