Whither The English Midfield?

Is England building for the future too?

Friends of the blog who haven’t told us how they want to be credited, otherwise I would name them, Peter Jolley and Joseph Volk wrote in asking if they could write a piece about the fate of the English midfield this year. Of course, we at UF love to hear others’ viewpoints and welcomed their contribution. If anybody else has a burning desire to write something for UF to feel free to submit it to us for consideration.

While the transfer window has yet to close and the Premier League season is just now commencing, it may already be time to begin looking beyond the 2011-12 season. Euro 2012 is quickly approaching and whatever happens on the field this year for a host of Premier League players of English descent will impact their nation’s tournament hopes. The pressure may be especially high for the English midfielder.

Both time and the summer transfer season have contributed to the added pressure for a surprising number of English midfielders  finding themselves in need of a top notch season or see an England 2012 roster spot outside of their grasp.  Some have arrived at this point by virtue of their age, others have suddenly found themselves in an intriguing new position within their club, and for some both are factors. While their individual contexts differ, each of these players will wake up on day one of the 2011-12 season in which earning a spot inEngland’s midfield will be harder than ever.

So, without further ado (and with apologies to Aaron Lennon, Scott Parker, Michael Carrick, Shawn Wright-Phillips, Jay Spearing, Joe Cole, and even Owen Hargreaves, each of whom has fallen victim to my need for a nice round number), here are 10 English midfielders facing both tremendous pressure and immense opportunity this year.

1. Jack Wilshere: Many predict he will be captain of both Arsenal andEngland within five years.  Capello rates him, so it’s realistic that he’ll want the midfield to revolve around him in Euro 2012.  Wilshere will have significant opportunity to secure his spot with the likely defections of Nasri or Fabregas. A good season may hasten the demise Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard with the Three Lions. 

2. Steven Gerrard: He was upstaged by Meireles and Lucas last season as he struggled with injury. Liverpool performed quite well with out him in the second half of the campaign.  Stevie G does not have a secure spot for Euro 2012.  With so much young talent coming in atLiverpool, whatever role Gerrard assumes will communicate his intentions for what role he determines next summer. 

3. Frank Lampard: With Chelsea openly pursuing Luka Modric it may mean Lampard is no longer an untouchable component for them.  Will he be the big name sacrificed afterEngland’s failure inSouth Africa? It would be a bold (Ed. note: foolish?) move for Capello to start both Gerrard and Lampard even if both have good campaigns, and Lampard will likely get the shorter straw between the two. 

4. Ashley Young: Now at Old Trafford, Young has the opportunity to excel in Champions League football and lead the way for a changing of the guards on the Three Lions.  Since he is not guaranteed a starting role at United, opportunity is the operative word here.  Capello has given Young time to prove his worth at, but his name is not inked on the starting XI.  

5. James Milner: Is “one of the guys” atManchesterCity.  His club pursues players that could take away his minutes, and being just a role player may not be enough to deserve a role at Euro 2012.  Milner will need to see significant improvements in consistency, quality and playing time if he is to be a national team member of regularity and importance. 

6. Gareth Barry: Will be 31 at the time of the Euros.  If he does not deliver a confident regular season and Champions League campaign, it’s likely he’ll be overlooked for a starting spot.  However, with a sharp domestic season, he could be a good middle ground for Capello between the young players with little experience and worn-out legs of Lampard and Gerrard.

7. Theo Walcott: The Arsenal winger is old enough now where he needs to produce consistently and not just show potential.  Walcott will have the opportunity this year at the Emirates to solidify a starting wing position for the national team after being left out of the South African squad to sharpen his golf skills.  The Arsenal midfield is being thinned out and Walcott will need to stay injury free to take advantage. The timing is right, and the door is wide open for Walcott to beat out Lennon and Shawn Wright-Phillips for Capello’s nod. 

8. Jordan Henderson: With so many midfielders competing for a finite amount of spots,Henderson will more than likely be left out for Euro 2012.  But, he’ll be surrounded this year by a better squad and better players atLiverpool.. IfHenderson proves himself this fall, he may earn the right to be part of a young English midfield that can grow together.

9. Stewart Downing:  Brought to Anfield to put the ball on the noggin of Andy Carroll, Downing will need to do more than that forLiverpool to be picked above the rest. 

10. Adam Johnson: He has proven himself a gifted player, but has been unable to win the trust of club manager Roberto Mancini.  He will need consistent playing time to prove himself more than just a super-sub.  The door is wide open for Adam Johnson to be a regular for the Three Lions.