Last week saw WhoScored focus our attentions on possible strike partners for Wayne Rooney ahead of the game in Montenegro. Friday’s show of petulance and subsequent red card, however, sparks a shift in our approach to England’s dilemma, with Fabio Capello determined to draw up a masterplan in his star striker’s absence. While England await to hear the length of Rooney’s ban on Thursday, Capello has acted swiftly and admitted Rooney will play no part in next month’s friendly with Spain as he gets to work on a new strategy ahead of next year’s tournament in Poland and the Ukraine:
"I need to find the solution for the first game or two games that Rooney would have played. And then if we find a solution he needs to work to return to the first XI. In my life as a manager I have put a lot of good players on the bench."
Last year’s hammering at the hands of Germany in the last sixteen of the World Cup gave Capello plenty of food for thought. England’s standard 4-4-2 looked out-dated and their ponderous players were swept aside by their opponents’ fluid 4-2-3-1 and to his credit, the Italian has moved with the times, mirroring Joachim Low’s formation in most of the subsequent games.
Rather than go over the same ground that we covered in last week’s article Who to Partner Rooney?: Capello's Issue in Crucial Qualifier, WhoScored will take a look at alternatives to play behind a lone striker for next summer’s European Championships and how that could influence the overall feel of the team. Weighing up the characteristic required for the role, there are, perhaps, three stand-out contenders, with a wild card thrown in for good measure:
Ashley Young
Man United’s new summer signing has an adaptability to his game. Playing wide left in the champions’ 4-4-2, Young has been a sensation so far this season but last year under Gerard Houllier, he fitted seamlessly into the role behind Darren Bent at Aston Villa, as well as starring out wide when called upon. Able to play right across the attacking midfield three, Young’s inclusion in an England starting XI allows Capello plenty of tactical options and he’s proved himself a key member of the squad in the Euro qualifiers, with 3 goals from 7 appearances.
So far this season, he’s produced 2.7 key passes per game- not far off Rooney’s 3- which have returned 5 assists already. Young’s eye for goal is highlighted by 2.3 shots per game and he’s found the net 2 times as a result. Strong in possession (86% pass accuracy) too, he’s averaged 7.60 in WhoScored’s match ratings and his arrival at Old Trafford has also afforded him crucial experience in the Champions League- he scored on his debut in the 3-3 home draw with Basel.
If Theo Walcott stays fit, a move to the middle for Young would allow the likes of Stewart Downing or even Adam Johnson a possible chance in the space vacated wide left.
Steven Gerrard
Perhaps the favourite for the role, if he can prove his fitness. Gerrard has struggled since March with a groin problem and has mustered just 3 sub appearances in all competitions as he continues his lengthy recovery. 19 goals in 89 international appearances highlights his pedigree and it may even be that a fully-fit Gerrard could be first-choice for the role, with Rooney playing as the furthest forward. His success when playing in tandem with Fernando Torres under Rafa Benitez demonstrates just what an on-form Gerrard can produce in the role.
He played just 21 times for Liverpool last season but the stats are still indicative of his capabilities- 4 goals and 5 assists despite being hampered with that groin strain. An average of 2.4 shots and an impressive 2.5 key passes per game highlights the Anfield skipper’s goal and creative threat, though his pass accuracy -80%- is sometimes caused by a tendency to try the spectacular. Nevertheless, a WhoScored rating of 7.48 sums up his consistency in a turbulent season under Roy Hodgson- Gerrard played only briefly under Kenny Dalglish before the aforementioned injury put paid to his campaign.
His attacking sensibilities lend weight to the argument that Gerrard would be wasted and unsuitable in the double pivot- the likes of Scott Parker, Gareth Barry, Jack Wilshere and, if he’s fit, Owen Hargreaves would surely be better qualified. Wide right, Capello is likely to utilise the pace of Theo Walcott, which really leaves Gerrard with a role on the left as his other option. Capello has used him there before with Rooney in the middle, coming inside onto his stronger foot as the two swapped roles with ease.
Jack Wilshere
An ankle injury has sidelined the Arsenal youngster until possibly February, depriving both the Gunners and England of his class. Despite his tender years, the 19 year-old firmly established himself as a permanent fixture in Arsene Wenger’s starting XI last season, sitting alongside Alex Song in the double pivot. Wilshere, however, has an ability and –most importantly- intelligence to play further forward and is thought of by many as the natural successor to Cesc Fabregas’ crown as the Gunners number one playmaker, once fully-fit.
The PFA Young Player of the Year in 2010/11, Wilshere excelled in his breakthrough season at the Emirates and anyone who witnessed his performance in last season’s Champions League game against Barcelona knows he can hold his own in the most exalted of company.
Wilshere managed 36 appearances last term, missing just two league games for the Gunners. Playing from deep, he mustered just 0.8 shots per game, bringing only 1 goal and 3 assists, with the likes of Fabregas and Nasri the chief creators for Arsenal. His ability on the ball is highlighted by 1.7 successful dribbles and 1.7 key passes, and with an 86% pass accuracy, Wilshere is a canny operator who rarely loses the ball in the key central area.
Wilshere may be the favourite to reprise his Arsenal role of last season for England, putting Gareth Barry’s place under threat, with Scott Parker offering more grit and will-to-win in the central midfield area. How he is used this season by Arsene Wenger will be intriguing, though; if Wilshere does, indeed, move further up the pitch once he returns to action, Capello will have lots to think about.
Joe Cole
Even just a couple of months ago, the idea would have been seen as far-fetched but a loan move to Lille has afforded Cole a new lease of life on the continent.
His talent has never been in question- it’s Cole’s consistency and application that has fuelled the doubters’ fire and his move to Liverpool last season proved an unmitigated disaster. At Lille, however, he has established himself wide right in a 4-3-3 and his ball-playing ability has instantly seemed more suited in the less frantic environment of Ligue 1.
Cole’s brief substitute debut for the Ligue 1 champions produced a stunning assist and he has subsequently started every league game, scoring 1 goal and producing 2 assists –only Eden Hazard has managed more (4), with his team unbeaten every time he’s taken to the pitch. Cole has also fired off 1.6 shots per game and produced 1 key pass in addition to 0.6 successful dribbles a match. He’s also proved secure in possession, with an 84% pass accuracy, and has featured in both his side’s Champions League games.
With plenty of game time under his belt, he’s starting to return to the type of performances that saw him heralded as the next big thing at the start of his career at West Ham and if he can continue in the same vein over the rest of the campaign, it may prove premature to write Cole off just yet.
Whether Capello is brave enough to gamble is another matter entirely- he will bow out after the tournament is over and will be hoping to go out with a bang- and the selection of Cole may be seen as just a punt too far.
