Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea players figure in a list of potential England stars.
With Spain clearly dominating world football at this present time there has been a major shift in the balance of how to play the beautiful game. ‘Tika-taka’ has evolved as the main model for success with the continued achievements of Spain and Barcelona as vindication for its model.
In the UK at grass roots level more emphasis is now being placed on developing the technical skills of young players so that one day the system may be more successfully implemented at a national level.
With Tika-taka’s influence on movement, passing ability and a high level of technical ability which 5 Englishmen could be torchbearers for the style if given the opportunity?
Tom Cleverley – Manchester United
After highly successful loan spells at Leicester, Watford and Wigan; Cleverley looked on the cusp of a breakthrough season for the Red Devils after impressing in last year’s Community Shield win against city rivals Man City. Injury unfortunately hindered his progress but his imaginative movement and keen eye for an accurate one-two make Tom a real prospect in an English revolution.
Jack Wilshere – Arsenal
Another player mauled by injury last season; Wilshere may not even be fit for the start of next season. However, the talent this player has is phenomenal, at only 20 years old, his vision, movement and passing accuracy make it easy to mistake him for a Spanish player, but he is English and the sooner he can make a full recovery the sooner he can become an England star.
Steven Caulker – Tottenham Hotspur
For all of the attacking style and panache of ‘tika-taka’ you need to defend as well. Caulker is good in the air but what makes him suited to this style of play is his ability on the ground. He showed he has a composed range of passing whilst on loan at Swansea last season and will be aiming to crack the Tottenham first team this term under Andre Villas Boas.
Henri Lansbury – Arsenal
The 21 year old finds competition stiff in the Arsenal midfield but has impressed on various loan deals in the past. With a vast array of youth experience for England he may need to consider a move away from The Emirates to develop his career. Another midfield player with a vast array of passing and vision sometimes his movement may let him down but if developed into a deeper lying midfield player Lansbury could be a huge star in the right set-up.
Josh McEachran – Chelsea
Cleverley, Caulker, Lansbury and Wilshere have all experienced successful loan spells early in their career; Josh on the other hand would have been disappointed in his deal at Swansea last season. It seemed a perfect fit, what with Josh’s ability to unlock defences and find incisive passes between the fullbacks and centre halves but with Swansea settled on a starting XI he struggled. His slight frame make him easy to force off the ball but a player of his technical talent is rare. Perhaps another loan deal will help his development.
Can these players make an impact this season? Who else can be a ‘tika-taka’ revolutionary for England?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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