by Wayne Reeves

Created on: June 30, 2010   Last Updated: July 05, 2010

The inquisition will now begin.  England were convincingly knocked out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup; a 4-1 second round defeat to Germany will be the epitaph for the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ of English footballers.  

After the endless media-hype and hopeful fan revelry about winning the World Cup in South Africa, a mediocre group-stage performance (draws with USA, Algeria and a less-than spectacular win over Slovenia) preceded a humbling show versus a primed and vibrant German squad.

England travels home while the rest of the second round is still to be completed; a bewildered and stunned nation awaiting the return of a team that played confused and out-of-step with each other.  The concept of team seemed lost on them and a change in attitude towards the whole England organisation is needed fast.

Predictably, much of the criticism is levelled at the manager, Fabio Capello.  He had his own ways and means to set-up teams, his style and work ethic.  When England were winning, nobody had a problem; at the first sign of trouble, players, media and fans all couldn’t wait to voice their displeasure.

One of the problems which dominates English football is the selection process of players which they usually picked from the top clubs in the Premier League.  Any player fortunate enough to play for Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City or Liverpool, will more-than-likely have a chance to play for the national team.

It isn’t uncommon for fringe players to be heard saying they ’need a move to a bigger team for an England chance’ - the best individual players need to be on the field, regardless of which club team they play for.  International football and who the players are affiliated with (at club level) plays little part in the quality of the matches.  A good player is a good player, irrespective of playing for Blackpool or Everton.

When the England organisation realise you don’t have to pick what the Premier League dictates is the best, then possibly England may improve to the point it could challenge again at a national level.  Most of the players who make the team in recent years are the recipients of inflated contracts and endorsement deals; paraded as the best of the league and who would represent England well.

Typically, the individuals are the beneficiaries of good club situations (and better players around them) which up their own profiles and make them appear greater than they really are.  England players have, for too long now, had a privileged lifestyle while producing very little in return.  Hanging on the fumes of a past generation of footballers (World Cup ’66 winners), the game has changed and so have the players; multi-millionaires now run around on the field and heart and desire seem in short supply.

A sense of realism needs to be addressed urgently; England failed to qualify for the USA ’94 FIFA World Cup, and missed out on the Euro 2008 Championships in Switzerland/Austria.  The only meagre success since the cup win was in the Italia ‘90 FIFA World Cup, losing out to Germany in the semi-finals (eventually taking 4th place overall) - hardly the record of a consistent contender.

It should be a long time till England can be a team with aspirations to win any tournament again; expectations need to be tempered and realistic.  Determine the England squad through effort and commitment, not by contract size or club status.  Maybe by the 2030 FIFA World Cup, England might have a chance at glory, the journey is going to be long and hard before it can happen.    

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