Now I know you’ll read this and think what an upset Manchester United fan the author is. If I was reading this I would likely say the same thing if I supported another club. However while my loyalties and love for the Red Devils runs deep and it does indeed pain me to see them in their current struggles, this post isn't an attempt to bring others down to the depths of my depression brought on by United’s continued poor form.
Firstly I want make it clear, I whole heartily agree with majority of journalists, analysts and former players who have voiced their concern regarding the lack of quality in the United midfield. But It was while viewing the headline game of the round, Man City v Chelsea, that this thought dawned on me, The lack of quality central midfielders isn't restricted to United alone, but England and possibly the Premier League as a whole.
This thought stems from the team selections of both sides. City, who up until this weekend had bossed games with the impenetrable partnership of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho, were forced to make a change to this combination, with Fernandinho ruled out injured for 3 to 4 weeks. Manuel Pellegrini played what can only be described as a wild card and fielded 33 year old Martin Demichelis as the midfield partner to Yaya Toure. One can only assume his role was to shield the city back and act as the one who could break play up and start the City counter. This season Demichelis has been used exclusively at center back and throughout his career only ventured as far as right back in terms of being played out of position. So to play this role in such a major game in terms of the championship title race is baffling. Wouldn’t Pellegrini have been better playing club captain and defensive rock Vincent Kompany in the defensive midfield role? This role isn’t unfamiliar to him having played there during his time with Hamburg and occasionally filling in that role with the Belgium national team. More damming, this selection raises concerns often raised regarding the lack of depth in central midfield within the English national team set up. Jack Rodwell, a 16 million pound summer transfer recruit in 2012, remained on the bench for this match. Having stated upon leaving Everton that “he had reached his peak at the club” he transferred to the then Champions. Now after numerous injury set backs, Rodwell is fit but still unable to break into the city midfield. Even when the squad is hampered by injures Rodwell cannot feature in a star studded City side. Rumor has it that Everton came back in for a loan bid for Rodwell in January, this was bid blocked by City. Why block a loan if you do not intend on playing the player?I to have read articles saying City missed out on midfield reinforcements themselves but stillkeeping a player you’d intend to use him, no?
Once touted as a future England midfield star Rodwell looks to have gone backwards in terms of talent and development. A worrying trend for England is that Rodwell’s situation is in isolation. how common is the following — The next English talent is snapped up by a top four side only to see him sitting on the bench, participating in the Under 21 league or being loaned out to lower league clubs never to fully realise his immense talent.
Now look at the Chelsea midfield from the game against City, Ramires, Luiz and Matic. All highly regarded young players who would likely feature in majority of starting elevens the world over. But not one an Englishman, and the only Englishman who could feature in that midfield is 35 and was close to being released at seasons end last year. Now this isn’t an argument about Frank Lampard and his value to the history of Chelsea (you’ll note I mentioned “history” of Chelsea, as that is what I see now. Lampard and Chelsea are history, a legend he is but history, at his age I cannot see him featuring for Mourinho in what is being called his biggest rebuild of a club in his managerial career). England’s central midfield talent is drying up and/or being over looked for foreign stars. Even in the early example of Rodwell’s case he’s being over looked for an aging defensive liability considered a better option.
Chelsea have fantastic talent across the park, Hazard is lighting up the league this season, Oscar is turning into a fantastic play maker, the concern comes from continued discussions with football fans regarding world class midfield talent. Majority of football fans will list foreign players plying their trade on the continent when questioned about world class players and more specifically midfielders. Young foreign stars shine at youth tournaments and are snapped up by Premier League clubs, hoping to sign the next Xavi, Schweinsteiger or Pirlo. In terms of English talent, the situation is consistent in its fault, a hyped up teen sold for an inflated price purely because he’s English. How and why does this continue to occur when so often these hyped up Englishman fail to deliver? Chelsea youngster Josh McEachran was once proclaimed to be the next Frank Lampard the traditional English midfield enforcer — but after 4 unsuccessful loan spells McEachran has ventured out on what is possibly his last chance at redemption while still a Chelsea player, another loan spell this time to Wigan Athletic, who under new manager Uwe Rosler have a fresh outlook on youth. McEachran along with United loanee Nick Powell have been offered a greater opportunity to thrive under a youthful manager and both will hope to be able to return to their parent clubs with greater experience and much richer for the opportunity offered by the Championship side. Will these young talents be afforded the chance at a big club?
There are of course exceptions to my argument, Arsenal with the likes of Wilshire and Oxlade-Chamberlain carry a lot of hope for future of England’s midfield. Ross Barkley at Everton has been a break out star this season, while Jordan Henderson at Liverpool is beginning to driver on his previously heralded talents. But sadly there are to many failures, inabilities to break into first teams and frustrating performances to hold much hope for English teams of the future. Tom Cleverly once was seen as the next midfield schemer in United’s youth team set up. successful loan spells only added to this hype, however he continues to let United fans and English coaches down with his poor displays over the past 2 seasons. A player who was once spoken highly of by fans is now being ridiculed and offered to the first club who offers enough to cover his transport costs. Watching the City and Chelsea sides it looks more apparent that young English midfielders once touted as the newest hot property will be battling with other England youth stars for a starting spot in a relegation battle not the Championship title race.
The players who fans talk about to fill the void in Uniteds midfield? foreign stars, Kroos, Cesc, Vidal, and Herrera. No more Scholes, Carrick or Beckham, the United and EPL of the future will continue to be the playground of foreign stars. Personally at club level I’m fine with that, I want to see these star players week in week out so please do join the EPL. I just know in saying such a thing I have no grounds to bang on about a lack of talented England stars if or when the next national failure occurs.
