Too Much Much Too Young?

With England heading into the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine in the summer, talk of the proposed squad for the tournament is already well under way. Somewhat overshadowed by Terry and Capello-Gate, there are several key issues for the squad, not forgetting of course that we don’t even know which manager will be leading us into Eastern Europe. Assuming its ‘Arry, there is the debate on the captaincy and who is fit to march the Three Lions into battle. Also whether to take our talisman that is Wayne Rooney, given he will only be available for games after England’s group clash with Sweden.

Over the past couple of weeks however there have been calls for the inclusion of the next apparent ‘wonderkid’ England has produced. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been in blistering form for Arsenal lately, tearing through Manchester Utd’s and Blackburn’s respective defences at the Emirates. There is much potential with this kid, he can clearly play football but as a youngster has a lot to learn. My question: Why rush him?

It’s been seemingly common knowledge in English Football that ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough’. This mentality can work, especially in club level where hot prospects are thrown into Premier League battles and the pressure can make diamonds. With England however, I disagree.

In the last decade, a number of notable English teenagers have been capped, including Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon, Jack Wilshere and Wayne Rooney (who was 17 when he made his debut v Australia). Of those mentioned, how many have gone on to achieve what, according to the hype, they should have done at International level? Rooney’s best tournament performance by a mile was Euro 2004, where he scored 4 goals before his injury in the Quarter Final. Walcott and Lennon have often flattered to deceive, and Walcott has done little barring his hat-trick in Zagreb, earning a World Cup call up when he shouldn’t have and missing out when he probably should have been in Capello’s 23 man squad for South Africa. Even Wilshere, another fantastic English prospect at Arsenal, has spent most of the time since impressing for England, on the injury table, questioning whether he is physically ready for regular International football just yet. Even before that the turn of the century, Micheal Owen was the brightest talent in European Football and was arguably burnt out before he turned 28. Is a pattern emerging here?

Pushing these young players too far can have detrimental effects on not only their own careers which can become increasingly injury prone or even show a change in mentality, but also on future squads who aren’t seeing the potential turned into results and ultimately silverware. But this is not the only reason we should be nurturing our young guns rather than building them up for a fall.

It’s certainly not lack of talent or raw potential that would stop me taking the likes of Chamberlain, Everton’s Ross Barkley and even Phil Jones to Ukraine in the summer. For me, Phil Jones is a future England captain, so let him flourish with the Under 21’s, let him hone his leadership and captaincy skills before being thrown under the international spot light. At only 19 he has another development tournament in him, a chance to build on England’s performance (or lack of it) in Denmark 2011. The importance of having a strong Under 21’s side must be recognised. It should be seen as a platform for young English players to want to impress, in the hope that once they are ineligible to play, they have done enough internationally and domestically to warrant a place in the national side, rather than being cherry picked when they are seen as ready, often leaving a whole in the side, and meaning a lack of continuity for the rest of the squad.

The tournament itself was a shambles for English international football. As the next crop of Spanish superstars won in Scandinavia, England crashed out in the group stages. Although they claimed a somewhat fortunate draw against the winners, a draw with Ukraine and a loss to the Czech Republic meant elimination. A squad which included the likes of Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson and Tom Cleverley. All big names at Under 21 and even domestic level, but failing to perform on a big stage. Sounds familiar? What about Rooney, Gerrard and co’s dismal showing in South Africa? What about ‘The Golden Generation’ in Germany in 2006 or the forgettable qualifying campaign sandwiched in between? England don’t need superstars, we need a team.

The best way to get a team is to let the best young players develop in the Under 21 side. Most of the current England squad are on the way out, this tournament is one that probably can’t be won, but nothing is impossible. The 2013 Under 21 Championship in Israel is the perfect opportunity for these International hopefuls to prove themselves, gain international experience and win some silverware. A winning mentality at Youth level will mean a winning mentality where it really matters, which can only help our only help our quest for International Glory.

@D4vidHolly