As England’s disgraced squad returns from South Africa, Premier League Blog continues our man-by-man appraisal with the midfielders…
Gareth Barry – 3/10
After Matt Upson got on the scoresheet during a triumphant encounter with Germany, Gareth Barry was lauded by the English press for his coolness and composure as England outclassed and outpassed their opponents. No, it isn’t wishful thinking, this really happened – in November 2008. Fabio Capello’s England increased their winning streak to five with a fully deserved 2-1 friendly win in Berlin, and although the goals were scored by defenders (John Terry netted the winner), all the plaudits went to England’s central midfield pairing of Barry and Michael Carrick, who gave the Germans a lesson in ball retention. Fast forward to the World Cup, however, and Barry is too prosaic for Germany’s bright and talented young team. Barry’s name has been prefixed by the words ‘the pedestrian’ so often this summer that he might as well change his name by deed poll, but even that seems kind considering pedestrians possess some degree of mobility. The word ‘passenger’ fits Barry far more snugly, failing to affect proceedings in any game and criminally neglecting to put his foot through the ball on the edge of the box against Germany, which led to their breakaway third goal. He’s usually been reliable enough to at least find a team-mate with the ball, but even that quality abandoned him this summer. Symptomatic of England’s on-field struggles.
Frank Lampard – 4/10
Lampard's time may have passed
Great for club, crap for country. Those words could easily be written of any of England’s number, but the difference between Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and England’s Frank Lampard is surely the starkest. With 28 goals and 17 assists in a blue shirt last season, the prolific midfielder enjoyed his best ever season for his club side but yet again failed to shine on the world stage. The group games completely passed him by, and he was an even more peripheral character than Gareth Barry during those torturous fixtures, the very games England need their best players to take control in. Lampard’s name was finally mentioned by the commentary team against Germany as he had a legitimate goal ruled out and hit the crossbar, but such moments of quality came too late for the midfielder. At 32, we may have seen the last of Frank Lampard in a major international competition, and as an intelligent man he will probably look back on his England career with regret rather than pride. His international peak was probably Euro 2004, and this year’s tournament was about par for him, which is a dreadful pity for England.
Steven Gerrard – 6/10
If the finals had been held last year, when Gerrard enjoyed his most productive ever club season, we probably could have expected much more. His dip in form over the past twelve months has been explained by Liverpool’s derailment, but in truth his club side’s travails probably owe much to the decline of the player. It’s likely that Steven Gerrard is no longer that scorer of last-minute net-busters; his ageing body drains of energy much sooner, his once-sharp touch is leaden, his driving runs from midfield are checked by that humbling sign of imminent footballing mortality, a lack of pace. Not that he was poor this summer, by any stretch – no position is unfamiliar to Gerrard, but from an undeniably unnatural left-midfield spot, he sought involvement and took responsibility where Frank Lampard hid. His best form was out of reach, but he did score an exhilarating goal within four minutes of England’s campaign kicking off – that false dawn was as good as it got for England’s captain, though.
Milner: A rare source of encouragement
James Milner – 6/10
Unceremoniously hauled off only 35 minutes into his nascent World Cup, James Milner was staring down the barrel. A classic case of rabbit-in-the-headlights, the versatile Aston Villa midfielder had been given a torrid time by the United States’ right-back Steve Cherundolo and earned a swift yellow card before being saved from himself by Capello. Milner admitted that he was struggling with the altitude in South Africa, and many, author included, assumed we’d seen the last of him. After Aaron Lennon’s failure, however, Milner returned to the team at right-midfield for the crunch game with Slovenia, and did not disappoint. His right-boot was central to England’s success, and although only one of his nine crosses found an Englishman, all troubled the defence, and the one that was met by Jermaine Defoe proved decisive. His performance led to comparisons with David Beckham, and although that may hyperbolic it is heartening to know that we don’t necessarily need to preserve Golden Balls himself if we need someone to deliver decent crosses. Milner should be in the team for Euro 2012 – he may also be one of our most important players by then.
Aaron Lennon – 3/10
Lennon’s scintillating form for Tottenham in the early part of last season was a major factor in their drive for fourth place, and it made perfect sense that the nation’s most on-form right-winger should start the World Cup as first choice in that position. Without wanting to sound like a stuck record, however, Lennon’s performances for England have rarely matched the effervescence of his club performances, and against the United States and Algeria he was found to be sorely deficient at this level. We all knew crossing wasn’t his strong point, and he is still yet to open his scoring account for the Three Lions, but he was expected to trouble the perceived inferior group stage opponents with his speed and skill. Lennon frequently failed to do this, and although his lack of involvement may have had a lot to do with the midfield’s failure to keep the ball, he was wasteful when he did get possession and England’s progression to the second round was probably at his expense. Milner did a manful job on the right, where Lennon still looked a boy. There is a top class winger in him and he has plenty of time – perhaps this World Cup came a little too soon.
Joe Cole - 4/10
One wonders if those clamouring for Joe Cole’s introduction after two disappointing draws have been forced to revise their opinions. When he was introduced to help England keep the ball and their slender 1-0 lead against Slovenia, Cole’s touch was desperate, and he looked a world away from the cool technician we know from his time with Chelsea. When he appeared against Germany, England were 2-1 down. A poor Joe Cole cross led to the Germans’ fourth, and although Cole couldn’t be blamed for the haphazard defending, he was expected to create openings for England, not for their opposition. It may be that he appeared too infrequently to get into his stride, but it may also be that his injury problems have removed that bit of sharpness that made him such a good option for his national team. A fit and confident Joe Cole will be a boost to England’s next qualifying campaign, so whoever England’s coach is when that comes round should keep their fingers crossed that Cole ends up at a team who are willing to let him play.
Shaun Wright-Phillips – 2/10
When the dust settles and Fabio Capello has time to reflect on his pre-tournament choices, he may well regret his choice of spare winger. While Theo Walcott struggled for fitness and form for Arsenal this season, and while Adam Johnson has only spent about eighteen months as a regular Premier League player in his young career, both surely are better players than the man who has been displaced by the green Johnson at Manchester City. Wright-Phillips has flattered to deceive throughout his career. He is an ineffectual impact player of undoubted skill which has been constantly undermined by a complete lack of intelligence and a dearth of ideas when confronted by genuine quality and organisation. If you qualify for the World Cup, you come across genuine quality and organisation, and Wright-Phillips is a spot wasted. The speed of Walcott or the guile of Adam Johnson would have been far more appropriate selections – Wright-Phillips singularly failed to retain possession or create a chance in either of his substitute appearances, and at 28 he has now disappointed for England for too long.
Wright-Phillips runs into a dead end... again
